Need a bit of perspective

[cleanlaundry]

School friend of mine said the company her aunt works for needed a new recruit and recommended me. So I went for an meeting at this company for a possible job role a few months back, the understanding was that if it was the right offer I would take it otherwise I wouldn't and I told the HR woman this on the phone and she understood. It's a nice little company, possible scope for progression as there's more to do there and I wouldn't mind a change of scenery if it made sense to take the next step up in my professional life. They interviewed a few other people too who actually applied and since it had been a few months I assumed they found someone suitable for the role - again nothing lost because I didn't apply.

Now the lady from the company has come back to me out of the blue last week (I assume they didn't find anyone or someone pulled out?) and offered a job which I would take although it doesn't pay all that much compared to my current job. Only problem now - I'm pregnant. Job doesn't pay a lot more than what I have right now, slightly longer commute. I would hate to accept and then drop the bombshell that I will be off on mat leave in less than a year, but I'm assuming there is scope to increase salary later down the line so I don't want to miss an opportunity if it would help finances especially with another kid.

So long term it makes sense in terms of career, but short term it doesn't and i think I may ruffle a lot more than a few feathers if I did pull a move like that. Unless I mention it now before accepting the offer. Never been in this situation or know of anyone who has so not sure of the proper etiquette around these issues and what's unreasonable? Help!

Would you be entitled to maternity pay with the new job as you would have only just started? I thought you had to work somewhere for at least six months if you wanted more that SMP? I'm not sure though, maybe other posters may know more, I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.

Not sure what the current regulations are on maternity rights but don't you have to have worked somewhere for a certain length of time before you are eligible for maternity pay / leave? If so, then presumably where you are now you qualify for these but if you start a new job you may not.

I would check the maternity policies of both companies. If they are both only statutory then will you have worked at the new place 26 weeks in your qualifying week? If not you aren't eligible so I would stay where you are.

If there's more than statutory at either I would go with that (bearing in mind you may not be entitled to more in the new company if you've not worked there long enough (check their policy).

They cannot withdraw the offer because you didn't tell them you were pregnant. However are you going to want any review of hours when you return? Your current employer may be more amenable (each only have to consider requests).

Is the new job actually more money?

I think from a maternity pay point of view you may be better staying put and reapplying to the new company if that's still what you want when you are back at work.

Didn't think about that! Yes I think I would only get maternity leave - not SMP, too late for that. Thanks MN!

Even though maternity pay is obviously a person's right, I'd be deeply unimpressed as an employer if someone took a job knowing they were going to be going on ML shortly after.

I'd say tell them about your pregnancy but in reality that won't make much dinference as they obviously can't quite withdraw the offer because you're pregnant.