To try for a baby when I've got a new job?

[namechange5628]

Name changed for this.

I started a new (part-time) job 2 weeks ago. I really wanted to TTC early next year but I'm worried that they could dismiss me. Would I qualify for Mat leave?

Has anyone been in this situation before? Is it worth holding out an extra few months before trying?

I think you need to have worked for your employer for 26 weeks if you have t you can claim maternity allowance which is the same. But be careful as if your pregnant some employers are funny and won’t want to keep you on after probation x

You would be entitled to both statutory maternity leave and pay. As long as you have been employed for 26 weeks by the time you are 25 weeks pregnant then you qualify for SMP

Does it look bad/leave a bad impression to get pregnant so soon in a job? It's one I'd like to stay in hopefully.

I put off looking for a new job when I first started TTC, after an existing job came to an end.

But over a year later, no pregnancy (fertility issues) and I'm slightly depressed because I'm not working. I miss it.

Financially I'm fine on DH salary but I desperately miss having a routine and feeling like I'm a part of the world.

My advice would be just to enjoy your new job, don't over think it, and don't put anything on hold.

You may not get pregnant straight away and then pregnancy is 9 months so you would be there a while

How long is your probation? If it were me I'd wait until I had the permanent contract.

You have to try if you want too. Long term the life of a child means more than potentially pissing off the current boss.

Your manager knows the risk of hiring women of a certain age. He/She won't be over the moon but they know they have to suck it up. Yes, you would probably be remembered for it and possibly leave a less than ideal first impression but that is life and you cannot expect to put your life on hold either.

Better to wait until your probation is cleared to announce it. Also, realistically, you probably want to have all your babies and maternity leaves in this job. Once you are done, find another job to prove yourself again. I think that is easier than reinventing yourself in the same job.

Probationary period is 3 months (so until mid March).

Personally I'd get through the probation period first. Obviously entirely your choice but I'd be thinking they can end your contract during probation (obviously they can't state it's due to pregnancy, as it's discrimination, but they could state performance related which would look crap if applying for work after maternity regardless).

Passing a 3 month probation period means nothing legally - you can still be sacked without recourse at any point up to two years' employment.

Hm, thanks everyone, I'm still undecided.

I've got a toddler at the minute and it took so long to find this job with convenient part time hours and good pay and good progression routes, I wouldn't want to lose it.

You have every right to TTC at any time however I very much doubt you'll be entitled to any mat leave. I think you have to be working for the company for 26 consecutive weeks. Also how long is your contract? If it's a rolling or just 3 month at a time then I'm afraid to say they will most probably dismiss you

@currentcake it's a permanent contract

She will be entitled to mat leave and pay as she has started employment before becoming pregnant. You need to be working for 26 week's by the time you are 25 weeks pregnant

of course she will have been working at the company 26 weeks before maternity leave- she’s not pregnant yet!

They can't sack you for being pregnant either

To be honest I never knew the you have to be working for 26 weeks to get maternity leave rule! Is it basically the same in every company/a law? I'm a bit confused with all of this!

Is there a rush on ttc? Or just that it's personal choice that it fits in better with your toddler? If there's not you may be better off looking towards the 18mth-2yr mark instead. I'd say definitely at least a year to get established in the job/team. From their perspective it means advertising a temp role, interviewing, training someone to cover. Plus if your bum has hardly warmed the seat then you're risking the maternity cover employee getting in with the team and becoming the person they want to keep on as they already know vs the person they barely met returning.

26 weeks by the time you are 25 weeks pregnant means you have to be working there for 1 week before pregnancy

That's for statutory pay. Your employer might have different rules for enhanced pay

Yes the 26 weeks is the law.

@FlyingMonkeys yes, this is pretty much my worries summed up!!!!

There isn't technically a 'rush' on TTC. Just generally wanting to, would like the 2.5yr age gap etc. No solid reasons I guess.

What FlyingMoneys said.

Give them a chance to fall in love with you first. Otherwise, the company probably won't fully invest in your training and are already thinking of your maternity cover, who there is a real risk they would probably end up getting used to more instead especially if your maternity leave is one year or longer.

I would say minimum be there a year before announcing. Otherwise, depending on your manager, the type of organisation or sector, there is a risk you will blot your copybook at this company.

My employer only pays enhanced maternity pay after twelve months in role and it's a lot better than SMP, so worth looking into the company policy