When to disclose pregnancy to a new employer

[LBF200]

Hi there,

This is my first post on Mumsnet, so bear with me! I am now in my 10th week of pregnancy and have been offered a new job with an organisation I have aspired to work for (I am a public health researcher).

I didn't mention my pregnancy during the interview process for obvious reasons, and have now been made a verbal offer, with a formal written offer to come shortly.

I'm fretting about when to disclose my pregnancy to my new employer. There seem to be two perspectives on the issue:

1. tell them as soon as a written offer is made. This will protect me legally, but also start my working relationship on an open/honest note. This will also give them the opportunity to do some forward planning, which many employers would appreciate.
   
   
2. start the job first to establish myself and tell them about the pregnancy later on. Women aren't legally obliged to disclose until 5 months (or thereabouts).
   
   While I see the sense of the second point, I am really leaning towards the first. It feels wrong and somehow dishonest not to mention the pregnancy early on. But I fear I am thinking about this too personally. I would really value other opinions on this.
   
   Many thanks in advance!

[EldonAve]

2

[EccentricaGallumbits]

wait until the contract is signed. then tell them the day after.

[annh]

I would go for one from a purely practical point of view. It is unlikely you will be able to keep the pregnancy hidden for very long. It will also make it very difficult for you to attend ante-natal appts if you can't say why you need time off. You also don't know how the pregnancy will affect you as it progresses. If you become very tired, develop SPD etc you may well end up revealing the pregnancy under less than ideal circumstances. And finally, your employer cannot carry out a risk assessment if they don't even know you are pregnant.

[inveteratenamechanger]

Congratulations on your pregnancy and the new job.

I would definitely go for 1, for all the reasons you mention. You don't want your colleagues to think that you have spent the first few months in post lying to them (even if only by omission).

Presumably you will be at least 12 weeks when you start the job, so you could always ask that they not spread the word until then.

[WouldYouCouldYouWithAGoat]

i would do 1 and 2 would just piss folk off.

also, you do realise you will only have smp?

[WouldYouCouldYouWithAGoat]

oh and congrats!

[LBF200]

Thanks to all for your feedback and well wishes! Really helpful to get your views. And yes, I do realise I'll only be eligible for SMP-- the only annoying bit of this situation. Many thanks again.

[Kafka]

You will be entitled to Maternity Allowance, to get SMP you need to have been employed for the whole of the pregnancy.

Whenever you tell them, following up in writing is always a good idea.

Hope you have a good pregnancy.

[sazlocks]

congrats on the job and pregnancy. Been in a similar position and told my new boss on my first day that I was pregnant - about 8 weeks. Not ideal but she was great - really supportive. My colleagues were a bit more as I didn't tell them til I was 13 weeks and I had been employed to help take some of their load. I was glad that I was upfront as it meant that I got support from early on in my pregnancy and as you say it gave plenty of time for succession planning.

[LBF200]

Thanks again for your comments! I told the employer this week. It was a bit awkward, but the HR lady was quite grateful that I had told her early for all the reasons discussed. She mentioned a situation they had a few years ago where a woman was 6 months pregnant when she started a job, hid the pregnancy from everyone and then somehow ended up working only a few weeks before she went on maternity leave. Clearly this person took advantage of the situation, but it left a sour note for her managers & colleagues. All the more reason that HR was pleased that I told them early and appreciative of the time to plan ahead.

You're right about being eligible for Maternity Allowance only. I was confused about that-- but HR confirmed that I wouldn't be able to get SMP. Oh well.

Thanks again to everyone for your help! I felt confident about my decision thanks to your feedback