To think I'll be fired if my boss finds out I'm pregnant

[cs98127634]

Sorry quite a long back story, but I could really do with some advise.

I'm currently in the 4th month of a 6 month probation period and I am 6 weeks pregnant. I'm part time. I was hired by a manager who was pretty incompetent and I think he bought me on because he couldn't cope with his work and effectively needed a PA. However, I am actually contracted to do a role that's a bit more senior than that.

I am the only part time member of staff. When I started there was only one person doing my role, then they hired me and now they have hired a second full-time member of staff. The second full time member of staff was given training immediately but I am still waiting to receive mine, despite being starting a couple of months before her.

A few weeks ago the manager who hired me was fired himself.

We currently have very low volumes of work, which means our office is making almost no money for the company. Other offices have the same number of staff in my role but have double the amount of work. Therefore, it clearly doesn't make sense to have the same number of staff.

I have asked a couple of times about why I have not received training and if this is because they don't intend to keep me after my probation. The new manager and her boss sing my praises and tell me not to worry, the only reason I haven't been given training is because I'm already doing so well without it. But this has been discussed in person. When I have asked over email for feedback or and advise on where I can improve I have been ignored.

I'm pretty skinny and last time I was pregnant I was really obviously showing by about 15 weeks. I am worried that they will suspect I am pregnant and fire me at the end of my probation.

Am I being paranoid? Does anyone have any advice.

If the place of work does not bring in enough income for the company, I would seriously be more worried that this situation will be reviewed and you will all be offered the option to re-locate or some of the teams will be made redundant. I’ve seen it happen quite a few times despite clear re-assurances from central office and higher up.
The situation may change completely by the time your 6 months probation period is up or well before you’d qualify for maternity leave.
Could you try and find a new position within the company in a more profitable part of the business then tell them you are pregnant? I wouldn’t say anything yet.

Congratulations, and I'd get on the phone to Maternity Action if I were you. They specialise in advising pregnant women about work matters

Being pregnant only offers you a degree of protection if you actually tell your employer (and can prove so if need be). I’d strongly suggest you tell them ASAP.

They can still dismiss you if you tell them, but they can’t dismiss you because of pregnancy or anything relating to it.

Your worst case would be that you don’t say anything, whilst they strongly suspect you’re pregnant (particularly if you’re showing or wearing baggy clothes!) and they dismiss you for a fabricated reason. In that case, you would probably find it impossible to prove they knew (or suspected) you were pregnant.

Tell them (in writing, by email, and send a blind copy to your personal email address).