Work for agency and pregnant, havent told them bit not being offered jobs...

[Jobseeker19]

I've been with an agency for 3 years and get weekly part-time work. They are always busy bar one or two weeks in the summer, I might only get emergency placements.

I am 12 weeks pregnant and haven't told them and won't until I legally have to but even though I havent told them I havent been offered work for 2 weeks now.

If I wasn't pregnant I would just find another job but if I leave and join somewhere else I won't get maternity pay.

I told one other agency worker but I very much doubt she would've told the agency as you only communicate with the agency via text to discuss placements.

Should I hold out and find another job, and what could I do about maternity pay if I leave?

I wouldn’t be sure your colleague hasn't told the agency, unless being out of work for this length of time is normal. How does your contract work, do these base maternity leave pay on your average pay for the last 12 months?

I've just looked at the contract and it doesn't mention maternity leave qualifying period.

I also think your colleague has either told the agency directly, or colleague has told someone else who's done so

Damn, if that is the case. How would maternity leave work out if I started a new job ASAP?

26 weeks ... you could get a job quickly and not tell anyone until you're showing?

www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility

How to claim
Statutory Maternity Leave
At least 15 weeks before your due date, tell your employer when the baby is due and when you want to start your maternity leave. Your employer can ask for this in writing.
Your employer must write to you within 28 days confirming your start and end dates.

In order to qualify for maternity pay you need to have worked there for 26 weeks before the 15th week before your baby is expected. So a week before you conceive essentially. You qualify for maternity leave regardless of length of service, but would need to claim maternity allowance if not eligible for maternity pay.

To get maternity leave, you need to tell them at least 15 weeks before your due date. To get statutory maternity pay you need to have been working for the same company before you got pregnant (PP said 26 weeks, but that's 26 weeks before the 15 weeks when you have to tell your employer. So 41 weeks before your due date. You will be 40 weeks on your due date). If you change jobs you might be able to get maternity allowance though https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

How do you get maternity pay through an agency?