Starting new job and pregnant

[terrariumlover]

I'm starting a new job shortly and it's a management role, there's a 3 month probation.

It's a dream role for me, a step up in position, 22% salary increase and new sector I've never been in before. It's fair to say I'm excited.

I'm also going to be just over 19w pregnant when I start. I am showing but have got some lovely new work pieces in a size up which hide my bump, for now.

How on earth do I navigate this? I don't want them to think I've taken the piss, I really want this job. I know I won't even qualify for SMP so I'm not there for a maternity package at all. Just a dream job.

@Princesspollyyy I don't know what that means but I posted late last night after overthinking.

It does seem a convenient drip feed to say you've been made redundant after omitting it from your first post where you said it was a step up and a 22% pay rise.

I would tell them as soon as you start. You have the same legal protection for being pregnant whatever - for as much as that is worth.

Don't try to deceive them. Just be honest. If you are having additional appointments, even more reasons to give them the heads up.

@Doyoumind I have name changed but previous threads about my situation have been posted under different names. I understand your point though, but regardless, it is a step up and a significant pay rise.

Just rubbish timing I've managed to secure my dream role in these circumstances.

Thank you, that's good to know.

Similar happened to me but I didn't know I was pregnant during the interview.

I just took the minimum time off for maternity leave so they knew I was serious about that job.

The children are happy grownups now so taking a short maternity leave has not ruined their lives.

OP, the way I would like at is if they are arseholes about it, it probably won't be somewhere you would want to work with a young child anyway. As you need the flexibility to have a good work life balance.

Anywhere I have worked would be fine with it. It is better to wait for a good person than hire a crap one that you have to manage out anyway.

Speak to your line manager ASAP though. Enjoy your pregnancy and try not to stress.

I'm in a similar position (have posted about it previously) I was offered a significantly better job in November, worked a 3 month notice and then a week before I started my new job found out I was pregnant (5 weeks). I've now been in the job 5 weeks and am due my 12 week scan in the next week or so. I've not told them yet.

My plan was to wait until 15 weeks to tell them to have time to 'wow' them (and hopefully negotiate an enhanced package), but the anxiety of them not knowing is getting to me a bit so I think I'll tell them as soon as I've had a scan.

It's infuriating though as I can't help but feel they're going to see me in a different light!

The thing that concerns me is that you don't have hardly any time to get to grips with the role. Possibly a few months, If things are okay, seeing as you're a high risk pregnancy.

So basically you're going to join, be trained up, and leave for X amount of time and someone else will have to be trained up and cover your work. Rather than the company having a linear line of 'X vacancy has come up, it's now been hired' it's X vacancy has become available, we've now hired. Now that person has left for a considerable amount of time, so hire / train someone internally to cover new persons work, new person comes back, has to learn from scratch, with the possibility of new person being on part time / reduced hours.

It's a pain in the arse. Yes these things happen and women should be supported. But it can be a total nightmare for businesses, especially small businesses. It's not cost effective at all and it makes everyone else's job much harder.

you’ll be lucky to get an enhanced package when you aren’t even entitled to statutory.

@Itsaloadofbollocksbut yeah I get that but the alternative is not asking and then definitely not getting the enhanced package so surely worth a try?!

It all worked out perfectly, my new boss is amazing and fully supports me. They have already suggested an idea of how to incorporate returning to work to suit me after baby is here.

Thanks for all the comments, I really appreciate it.

Great update! I work in HR and completely can say you go in and do exactly as you would anyway, ensuring you inform them of your pregnancy in the legal timeframe (or earlier if you feel comfortable). Which is what you have done. You do not need to go in and wow them or feel you have let them down. Simply go in and do your job to the best of your abilities (you have clearly wowed them anyway!).

And congratulations on both!

it’s a pity you fear retribution. Don’t apologise be matter of fact and tell them in writing as soon as you feel comfortable after the start but cc your personal email so you have proof. If they are pissed off you may need to see it as a stepping stone so you get your next job from a more senior position than you have now, but hopefully once you’re back it all goes well and you get some quick wins.

Oh ignore me, great news.

@terrariumlover that's such good news!!

I'm telling my work on Monday, hope they're as understanding x

Thank you so much! @Livingmagicallyagain @ACynicalDad

Good luck for Monday, let me know how you get on @dancingqueen345 x

I know this is an old thread but it gives me hope - so thanks for posting!

After some light but serious discrimination around my pregnancy in a crap job, I have secured a dream job at three times the wage, amazing benefits and it’ll look great on my CV… but, it’s a maternity cover role and I’m 6 months pregnant! They don’t know, because they can’t ask and I don’t have to tell (I live abroad, different laws). Pregnant women here are fiercely protected, so they cannot fire me under any circumstances.

‘I feel bad for not saying, but I also have the right to a job and the right to have a baby. Plus, I always think, what if I got sick and had to take some months off? What if I had a chronic condition and knew I was due a flare up soon that would see me off for a while? I don’t think we should be penalised for being pregnant.

‘I will add that it’s a MASSIVE global company, so they have budgets galore and I’ll be taking the minimum time off that I can - around 16 weeks total - and getting back to my desk for the rest of the contract. I’ll still be covering over 70% of the other person’s maternity leave.

I really hesitated throughout the entire interview process, but the company is very pro-inclusivity and diversity, and I’ve been hired for skill and experience, which I will still be bringing for the majority of the contract.

I’m really disappointed at the lack of support for you OP on this thread.

I had a mate that was promoted several rungs up as she was about to go on a year’s mat leave and they waited for her. That gives me hope that larger businesses are ready to support pregnant women at any stage. I understand from a small business perspective that it can be ruinous, but that’s not a cross for pregnant women to bear, that’s for the gov to sort out.

we must stick together!

@Isanyoneoutthere87 thank you for a brilliant comment.

I ended up leaving before I was due, the company was a complete shambles. No management ever in the office, just me and another new starter left alone daily.

I must admit they were brilliant when I had appointments relating to the pregnancy but that's it. There was no support or training within the company, and my position was filled 3 times in 18 months prior to me starting.

Wishing you well!

Just to also return to this thread to give hope to anyone else in this situation.. I posted up thread about finding out I was pregnant whilst working my notice at my previous job.

They were brilliant about it, gave me their enhanced maternity package despite not being eligible for it and have also given me a pay rise (and bonus) whilst being on maternity leave!

Just wanted to add this as it was disheartening to read a lot of the other replies.