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Pregnancy

Just found out that I'm pregnant but due to start a new job.. HELP!

15 replies

hannahbanananana · 24/05/2015 10:41

I found out last week that I'm pregnant - 5 weeks and 5 days to be precise (I think). I had a job interview sometime in February, was offered the job in March and planned to start in June. This got delayed with criminal record checks etc. and I am now starting in July, by which time I will be 10/11 weeks pregnant. What on earth am I going to do!?

I've recently completed a degree course and alongside this I've been working in the NHS part-time, earning just under 10k. The new job, is for another Trust, full-time, just over 21k. So I can't afford to stay where I am, especially as my maternity pay would be a lot less than the 10k. Maternity leave (which I would be entitled to as I've been in the NHS long enough) with the new employer would be more than enough for me to get by on, with OH's wage too.

But what should I do? Do I tell them before I've started and hope they don't come up with a reason not to get rid of me, or do I tell them after I started and make out I didn't know?

I feel so terribly guilty. I'll be going off on maternity leave 5ish months after I started and ideally I'd like to take the year, but that would mean they'd have to find a replacement who would by the end of the 12 months be more experienced than me. I know that I'm fairly well protected and that it would be difficult for them to get rid of me, but I'm more concerned that I will be disliked within the department. I have no idea what to do.. any advice would be much appreciated x

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batfish · 24/05/2015 10:53

If you did tell them before then they wouldn't be allowed to withdraw the offer - there are very strict laws protecting the treatment of pregnancy women. I guess whether you tell them before or after depends on what you would feel more comfortable doing. I completely understand you feeling bad but it is one of those things and they will deal with it. A friend of mine went for an interview knowing she was pregnant and she got the job and didn't tell them until she started and they were fine. It is a really hard one because we can't put life on hold whilst TTC because it could take ages - so it usually means the timing doesn't end up as we would have liked! Hope all goes ok, good luck!

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Geneticsbunny · 24/05/2015 10:57

I would get home of the maternity policy for your new work. As bat fish says they can't discriminate against you. And congratulations on the new job and the pregnancy.

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Geneticsbunny · 24/05/2015 10:57

Get hold obviously!

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milliemanzi · 24/05/2015 17:39

I work in the NHS and am in this exact situation but I told my new employer last week, I'm 18 weeks and started at about 14 weeks, was on a precarious fixed term contract and and really needed a permanent job for my peace of mind so knew I was pregs when I got the job, felt kind of wretched about it but you have to prioritise your baby rather than a sense of duty to your employer (I think). Also the NHS is such a massive and family friendly organisation I'm pretty sure they're used to this stuff. When I told my boss she was just happy for me and actually said "to be honest when I interviewed you and saw you were married and 30 I thought it might be just a matter of time!" Haha!
So honestly don't worry about it, the NHS are well equipped to handle these situations and most people understand you have to do what's right for you.

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hannahbanananana · 24/05/2015 18:48

Thanks for the advice.. really reassuring!

Milliemanzi, are you planning on taking the full year? And are you returning full-time?

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SpoonBender · 25/05/2015 22:13

Just to let you know I work for the NHS and had worked in one job for 4 years when I decided to move to another trust. I was about 10 weeks when I started with the new trust and although I am entitled to theNHS top up maternity pay I am not entitled to statutory and have had to apply for maternity allowance from the job centre.

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wispywoo1 · 26/05/2015 07:49

I'll be starting my new job 6 months pregnant. Got the job in march, found out I was pg round the same time. I've not told the employer yet but I've stopped feeling guilty. Worse things happen and I'm not going to let it ruin my excitement.

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hannahbanananana · 26/05/2015 10:39

SpoonBender did you receive Occupational Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance, or just Maternity Allowance? I've had a look at the policy and I qualify for Occupational Maternity Pay (first 8 weeks at full pay and following 18 weeks at half pay) but not Statutory Maternity Pay.. really confused as to whether I will get that and Maternity Allowance for the following 13 weeks or just Maternity Allowance??

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Cheshirehello79 · 26/05/2015 15:29

I was due to be made redundant and already had job offer else where. My current work who I've been with for 5 years decided to offer me a fixed short term contract which ends just after my 26 week which means I qualify for Smp. When they offered me the job I was 5 weeks pregnant and never said nothing - but turned down the other job offer which was permanent but would have had to deal with no Smp and just get maternity allowance additionally , I would have been on 6 months probation and wasn't sure they were going to be happy with that. I know exactly what you mean but if I were you I wouldn't tell them till around 14 weeks or so just for your on sanity

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milliemanzi · 26/05/2015 17:41

From the sound of the policy on my intranet you get omp and maternity allowance.

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Newdad19 · 26/05/2015 18:58

Not nhs but we were in the same scenario with my wife, who was starting a new 1 year fixed contract with the local teaching authority.

She was worried about being disliked/bitched about etc but she knew her rights and when she told her, her boss couldnt be more understanding.

I know its tough but they will be fine and you aresetting/your babyup by doingthis

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daluze · 26/05/2015 20:15

Congratulations!
I got pregnant the week I started new job. Waited till after 12 weeks scan to tell. My boss was very supportive.
I don't think you need to tell now. I think majority of women tell their employers after 12 weeks scan, and people understand now. And don't feel guilty - you can't stop your life when you are trying for a baby, it would have been much worse if you were not applying for jobs because of TTC, but that took years...

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milliemanzi · 27/05/2015 09:36

Started panicking about being able to claim maternity allowance AND get nhs maternity pay but found this on UK gov website:


How other benefits and payments affect MA
Your MA may be reduced, or not paid at all, if you get another social security benefit or a training allowance (including an allowance under the Youth Training Scheme).

Occupational maternity pay, payment in kind or any other payments made to you by your employer will not affect the payments of your MA. But remember that you cannot get MA if your employer pays SMP to you.

phew!

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hannahbanananana · 27/05/2015 20:34

Well that's a relief milliemanzi, been in a right old panic about it! It doesn't work at too bad at all for me then. In fact I'm pretty sure it takes me to a similar figure if I'd qualified for SMP. Thanks for that! One less thing to worry about :)

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daluze · 27/05/2015 20:51

One piece of advice - research yourself what you are entitled to! In my case, although not in NHS, but another large organisation (academic), I was given wrong information by HR and payroll during my both pregnancies. I would have lost several thousand pounds each time if I did not know my entitlements!

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