Telling work while still on probation

[SuzieQ10]

I have worked for a local council for approx 4 years, but recently changed departments and I am still on a probation period.

I started my new role, a few weeks later I find out I'm pregnant (v happy as had been trying over a year with no success, and having tests for fertility issues).

So I am 14w pregnant. In my new job for 17weeks and probation is 24 weeks. Should I tell the managers this week, or will it effect my probation? They have been pleased with my work etc so far.
My DH thinks they could invent reasons not to keep me on once I tell them I'm P and thinks I should hide it for as long as possible. What's the best thing to do?

[yoy114]

On the government website it says you must tell them by the time you are 15 weeks pregnant. They can't discriminate because of pregnancy and it isn't a reason not to keep you.
Good luck

[newmomof1]

Isn't it 15 weeks before your due date that you have to tell them by?

[SayOohLaLa]

but your employer is the council, so you've been there 4 years. It's by 25 weeks when you have to tell them so it will have no impact on your probation as you're a long standing employee, just not within your team.

[kittycat01]

@SuzieQ10 I also work for a council. Surely you're still employed by the same council and have continuous service? I think the probationary period won't apply.

[TequilaMockingbird0]

Yes it's not 15 weeks pregnant it's 15 weeks before the week of your due date, so around 25 weeks legally before you have to tell them. Personally I'd hold on to the end of probation if you can hide it.
Of course they legally can't discriminate but that doesn't mean people don't find ways around it.

[Mintypea5]

You don't legally have to inform them until your 25th week (15 weeks before your due date) I told my work at 23 weeks

[SuzieQ10]

Thanks, yeah I don't have to tell them until 25 weeks legally. But, at 14w I'm already begging to show. I also worry it may come across as sneaky to hide it until after the probation ends. I suppose I could hang on a little longer though. It's the same council, with a new contract so the probation period applies.
Don't know what to do

[LazyFace]

I wouldn't disclose until the end of probation.

[newmomof1]

Yeah don't disclose it yet - it's not sneaky to look out for yourself!

[MummyBear405]

Hey OP I told my employer during my probation and low & behold when it got to the review at the end of it they tried to make me redundant for other reasons but they were pretty weak. I know it was because of the pregnancy.

You being pregnant doesn't effect your ability to do your job well so even if you're showing it's non of their business, I'd hang on until you know your job is secure. They're not supposed to be able to discriminate but the sad thing is they do and they'll always find another reason!

[paperplant]

Congratulations on the pregnancy!
You'll only know how decent your employer is if you tell them now and see how probation goes.

If you want to stay on the safe side, tell them after. You can always argue (besides probation and that it's not a legal requirement to tell them) that you wanted to wait until the 20-week abnormality scan to be absolutely certain.

If you did want to tell them as you're starting to show (and don't want to pursue the "food baby" track), perhaps you can get a written confirmation of your managers being pleased with your work to date somehow? Maybe you can make up a sort of email asking them for any comment on performance so far and improvement suggestions for the final quarter now that you're almost 75% through probation, they see how you work and you still have some weeks to apply any improvements...

Just as an insurance so you'll have some evidence in case you tell them and they find other reasons to fail you!

[SuzieQ10]

Yes that sounds like a sensible idea, to try and get something in writing saying it's all going well so far. Trouble is the manager is a bit all over the place and often works from home. I'll try and ask for a 1to1 meeting, they've given me one previously and some notes were made, but that was only 4 weeks in to the job. Thanks.

[Frizzy1986]

I agree with the idea of getting some feedback now. Sell it as you are enjoying the role and would love the opportunity to discuss your progress and also identify any possible improvements that you can make prior to completing the rest of your probation.

I started my current job in October and had a 6 month probation period. Luckily I got 2 month and 4 month reviews so knew they were pleased with how I was going.
I told them after 12 weeks that I was expecting (that was in March so a month before my probation ended) They have been nothing but lovely, which I know isn't always the case.
In fact another team member told them about her pregnancy a week before I did and she had only started 6 weeks earlier and they have again been great with her. Although 2 people leaving from the same team within weeks of each other is putting some pressure on the remaining team members which I feel bad about.

It's sad how some companies can behave so badly, and hopefully the council wouldn't want to risk the fall out that could come with trying to find a way to get rid of you. At least if you have some positive written feedback so far it would support you if needed.

[S082018]

I'm in a similar situation OP.
I've been employed by the NHS for almost 2 years now but joined a new NHS trust only at the start of July. I'm 14 weeks pregnant and it's beginning to show and haven't told work yet. I'm feeling really nervous because like you, I'm in a 6 month probation period.
I have a monthly review each month and my 2 month review is at the end of this month. I have no choice but to tell them as it's beginning to be so obvious looking at the size of me and I also have scans and doctors appointments coming up that I will need some time off for. My 6 months ends in January which is the time I will need to be going on maternity leave!!
I have been doing my job in question for almost 2 years and so I have had nothing but positive feedback since I started which is reassuring but I can't help but worry that they will either hate me when I tell them or find a reason to get rid of me!
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. 🤞🏽 and keep us posted on here with the outcome! X