Starting a new job in 4 weeks & pregnant

[theprocrastin8er]

I would be very grateful for any advice about this situation. I have only just discovered I am pregnant (4 weeks, very early days and I know I could still lose it) and am happy about it. The issue is that I am due to start a new part-time, permanent job in the NHS in 4 weeks' time and am not sure what to do.

The complication is that some aspects of the role (approximately 1/3rd of the job) that were discussed at interview would be difficult to perform once pregnant (working in a sensitive area). I did not expect to find myself in this situation as we've been TTC for 4 years and this is my first positive pregnancy test.

Should I speak to my new manager now and let her know the situation? Or would you wait and tell her in the first few weeks when they start clarifying my job duties? Or, just keep it under my hat until I am obliged to tell them? The problem with the second two options if I will feel a bit like I've decieved them and not given them the chance to plan around the issue. I much prefer the idea of being honest.

On the other hand, I don't have a contract yet (just a provisional offer of employment) and am worried about losing the job.

Any advice from an employment perspective would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Heartlake]

It's not uncommon at all for an already-pregnant woman to take on a new job in the NHS.

Personally I'd wait until I start and then let them know as part of the induction I think. You might ruffle a few feathers but this is the safest option in terms of job security and day to day H&S for you.

[Roomchanging]

I had my interview at 12 weeks, started at 19 weeks and told them at 22 weeks( I still wasn’t showing inwell selected clothes).....in the NHS. I certainly wouldn’t be telling them when you are only 4 weeks.

[theprocrastin8er]

Thank you very much HeartLake and RoomChanging. I thought it was probably a bad idea to say anything before the pregnancy is more well established and you're confirmed that, so I won't speak to them yet. I like the idea of telling them during induction; I'll still only be 8 weeks but that seems like the best of the options available.

I hate ruffling feathers (professional people pleaser!) so this will be hard, but I take the point that it's not particularly unusual in the NHS and so hopefully won't cause too much consternation.

Thank you again for your thoughts, I really appreciate it.

[Heartlake]

You're very welcome