to apply for new NHS jobs when pregnant?

[stupidbloodyjob]

I'm only 10 weeks pregnant with my first so no one at work knows and I also know there is still a chance things will go wrong with the pregnancy at such an early stage.

But I'm starting to really hate my job (things in the system have recently changed and my role has become really devalued) I think I need to leave but I've got a 3 month notice period which means realistically I could be offered and start a new job when 6 months pregnant which doesn't seem fair but I also don't know if I want to return to this post after maternity leave (I could begrudgingly stick it out til Dec)

So, aibu to apply for a new job and not tell them I'm pregnant or is there a way of taking NHS maternity and moving onto a new job after that (I would stay in the NHS so I'm not screwing them over for maternity leave just not the same service)

(Name changed for this)

You can return to any job in the NHS following maternity leave and not have to pay back your maternity pay, so you could change jobs after maternity leave no problem. You just have to go back for 3 months so as not to end up paying it back.

Does that make sense? I'm really tired! Sorry!

Thanks that's really helpful - so do I have to go back to my current job or could I return to a different NHS job?

(Sorry to hear you are so tired)

You can return to a different NHS job as long as you transfer within the NHS. If you don't go back at all, you'll have to pay back your maternity pay. Unless you go back for three months, that's the minimum.

I was working for one sector of the NHS whilst I was pregnant and then handed my notice in whilst on my maternity due to accepting another job in the NHS which I started as soon as my maternity ended.

I felt bad about not going back to my original job after my maternity leave had ended but in the NHS it's perfectly allowed.

I also didn't go back to my original nhs job following may leave, moved to a different nhs trust and just had to provide my previous trust with a copy of my letter that had my start date on it. Didn't have to pay anything back.

Oh you are all brilliant - thank you!

I've just returned from NHS maternity leave into another NHS organisation and got my maternity package. And I'd started my previous NHS job whilst 8 weeks pregnant (recruitment takes months). The only thing to be prepared for is they will tell you you won't get smp on top of the maternity package, but you just apply for maternity allowance through the job centre and it works out the same.

You will only be entitled to nhs maternity leave after you have worked there for 12 months BEFORE you go on maternity leave.

Unless your current employer offers something better you'll still only get statutory.

I know this as a friend of mine was only 3 weeks short of qualifying for nhs leave and had to have statutory instead.

Unless you already work for nhs you don't make that clear.

I started a new job while pregnant. Worked for nhs previously and new job was also nhs so kept my entitlement. I found out I was pregnant a week or so after accepting the offer so slightly different.

Yes, sorry I'm already in the NHS and have been for over 10 years. Is it a crap thing to do to a new employer though? It is isn't it? I'd be 6 months or more before I started in post. I'll maybe go with the advice of applying for something else whilst on maternity

Hi there,

I'm a year late joining the thread but wondered if you could advise me please? I'm planning on trying for a family imminently but having a really bad time at work in NHS. If I was to get a new job whilst pregnant that was still in the NHS but at a different Trust, would I still be eligible for 12m continuous NHS service and maternity pay? Would I be obliged to tell new employer.?
Thanks alot.

Hi everyone 👋🏻

Very late joining this thread but wondering if any of you lovely lot can advise me. I too work for the NHS and have done for 3.5 years (continuous service). I recently relocated and moved trust and went up a banding to a 6 from a 5.
I had been at my current job only 2 months when I found out I was 7 weeks pregnant with my 1st. Unfortunately I hate my job with a passion for various reasons and before finding out I was pregnant I was desperately looking for other jobs elsewhere.

After a lot of debating and consideration, I think my best option is to try to stick it through the anxiety I feel on a daily basis up until mat leave starts and then start looking for a job once I’m on mat leave.
I understand I have to to go back to the NHS for 3 months once mat leave is over.
My question is, does anybody know if during that 3 month period I would have to go back to a band 6 role or could I drop down to a 5 or even a 4?! Does the role have to be the same banding as the maternity package?

Many thanks in advance

My understanding is that you have to go back to a role within the NHS and it's doesn't matter which. So no reason that you couldn't apply for a band 4 or 5 job whilst on mat leave. Definitely worth checking your Trust's policy though.

Hi There,

I know this is late to the party but I'd like advise and possible information sharing.

I have been in the NHS for over 10 years. I started a new job in Feb 2019 but didn't settle due to a multitude of reasons so started looking for work and applied for jobs.

While waiting to hear back to see if I was selected for any interviews I found out I was pregnant with Baby No.1 and I am 10 weeks pregnant today. I have had a terrible time with hyperemesis and hospital admissions and was told that the risk of miscarriage is high.

Go back two weeks and I had an interview for a job and was offered the position. I didn't tell them I was pregnant because a) I was worried id be turned away and b) due to the risk factors that I faced then and still do now.

Now then.. I need to tell the new trust im preganant and im petrified. Do I tell them I knew I was preganant at interview or not or say that I have just found out?
I have had time off from the current employers due to the hyperemesis and im not sure if that will or has to be put on my reference?

I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks x