WIBU to start a new job and try for a baby straight away?

[Bobbycatz]

I already have a 2.3yr old, would love another ASAP. I’ve just started a new job, the role is quite senior and I deal with projects which can last anywhere from 6months-2yrs. I think people would be a bit pissed off but I don’t really want to wait. Would you be annoyed if someone did that where you worked and would it affect the way people viewed me and my work ethic?

New job in the same company or new job in a new company?

I’d be more inclined to wait to ensure I get any occupational maternity pay as statutory is pretty rubbish. If your place of work doesn’t offer any enhanced maternity pay though I wouldn’t wait, people can be pissed off if they want but if you don’t want to wait you have no obligation to in order to keep others happy.

I would just do it. Not saying you should, just that's what I would do. You might work for another... 30 years? Depending how old you are. You can put off your career but you can only put off children for so long.

If you are returning to the same role and position after (rather than requesting part time) I wouldn't be pissed off. You are legally allowed. You can only have so many children and stand to spend a lot longer in work than the relatively short amount of maternity leave. Go for it. Check how long you need to work there to qualify for maternity pay.

It’s a worry that a lot of us have, but you have to figure out what is more important to you. If you really want to have another baby then do it, but be prepared to take the hit on your career. If you can wait a year or so, then do that, but it sounds like that wouldn’t make a whole lot of difference with your job anyway.

Going on maternity leave is always going to be a pain for your employer, whether you do it now or a few years down the line but they can’t sack you for it. Check you HR policy regarding maternity pay as you may not be entitled to certain things if you haven’t been employed there for long enough.

I'd be annoyed but would fully accept I have no right to me. I'd suck it up in work but privately I'd be a bit cross.

When did you start? Id wait til I was 3m in before ttc. That way you will be within the dates for SMP plus out of any probation (assuming 6m) before you need to tell anyone. Additionally you would have at least one year under your belt before leave began.

It’s a new job with a new company. I already work part time and would go back to the same working hours. Started the job this week.

Waiting a few months to make sure I pass my probation/qualify for maternity leave is a good idea.

Anyone have any good or bad experiences of getting pregnant after just starting a new job?

Remember you have no obligation to notify your employer until you are 25 weeks pregnant.

It's your life - you need to do what is best for you and your family.

Ditto @Pickett

It might take months/years for to fall pregnant again anyway so I wouldn’t delay ttc for too long if you want another child b

Do it. I had mat leave with DD1 and resigned because I was blown away with motherhood and DH’a business was doing well. I was offered my job back when I was 6 weeks preg with DD2. Thought it would be unprofessional to go back. Five years after, career had stalled and DH’s business lost to the 2008/09
recession. Don’t hold back. Go for it.

I applied for a great job while pregnant. I didn't tell them. This was 16 years ago, so mat leave was just 14 weeks. I did not feel bad as I worked very hard and felt confident I was the best person for the job. Employers struggle to get talent and if they employed someone who wasn't the best fit the disruption and cost would be longer than mat leave. Trying to get pregnant can take a long time, sometimes it happens when you're not trying. Life is rarely tidy and in the long run your family is much much more important than work. The gap between children makes a big difference to their relationship too. Weigh up all those factors and then act according to what you feel is best rather than what others may think.

don't do it. You would be taking the piss and you know it.