New job and pregnant

[WeePoppy]

I posted this in the pregnancy section but was advised to post it here as well.

To give you a bit of background, I got pregnant in early February and was made redundant at the end of March this year. I cannot afford not to work so I started looking for work as soon as I knew I was being made redundant. Luckily, I did find a new job reasonably quickly. I applied early April, was interviewed mid April and was offered the job very shortly after that. It is a rather specialised job in the third sector.

My problem is: I will be 14 weeks pregnant by the time I start the new job. I feel very guilty about accepting a job offer knowing that I was pregnant but by the same token, I couldn't afford not to and it is a job I am well qualified to do and that I will very much enjoy doing. The probation period is 6 months, so I won't even be able to complete it before I go on maternity leave. I do not intend to take a long maternity leave as I feel that it would be very unfair on my employer.

I guess that my question is: when should I disclose my pregnancy to my new employer? The day I start? A few weeks in to give them time to see me at work? I don't want to wait until I'm 25 weeks in... Any advice would be much appreciated.

[ChocolateTeacup]

While you don't have to tell them until 25 weeks, it is better manners to do so, might be worth checking what you maternity allowance is as well

[TheVeryHungryPreggo]

What is the employer's reputation/office culture like? If they are renowned for being good employers, and have enough staff that your absence isn't going to make a big difference to their workflow, then I would consider telling them early.

I work for a statutory body which is a really good workplace, and recruits in waves of new hires who all do the induction weeks together. One of my colleagues was interviewed last May with me, got the job and was due to start with me in August, but found out she was pregnant and told HR soon after. They then bumped her start date forward so she could pass the 6-month probation before she went on leave.

Obviously not all employers will do this but it's worth bearing in mind that there are other options.

[WeePoppy]

Just a wee update to let you know that I told my employer just a week after I started and they were very understanding and very supportive. I have now been working for them for a month and love my new job!

[Fluffybear86]

Great news!