Applying for a job whilst trying for a baby

[ReeseWitherfork]

I started TTC baby #2 last month. Have just seen a great job online which I'd love to apply for. Rarely do jobs come up in my field and especially not ones that ever really catch my attention. I'd feel insanely guilty to announce a pregnancy a month or so into a job (or even worse, before I even started, I have a 3 month notice period), but at the same time, I think I'd be a good candidate and an asset to their company (plus I've got staying power, been in this role for 9 years).

YANBU - apply and keep TTC
YABU - you can't have both

Please don’t let this deter you. Having children is a fact of life and a very short time in the span of your whole working career so not worth putting off a move IMO.

The one thing I would consider is your current maternity package and whether just SMP would impact your ability to have time off with the baby.

Definitely apply. Just know you may not qualify for their company maternity package or statuary maternity so you may only get maternity allowance. Just get saving and that won't matter. Good luck

Of course you should apply, a man in a couple TTC would not think twice about this and we have laws in place so women shouldn’t have to either.

I would though, as previous poster mention, think about impact on any enhanced maternity pay provisions.

If it’s a big corporate - YANBU
If it’s a small business - YABU

I do wish we’d stop the constant comparison to a man. In this situation the impact on the employer would be significantly different.

The only thing that would stop me would be the potential impact on maternity pay/leave @ReeseWitherfork.

@Aprilx a man applying is hardly the same is it?! He’s not going off on ML for up to a year is he?!

I wouldn’t apply. Hardly great employing someone for them to then bog off for up to a year on ML leaving them without a person n the role or for colleagues to pick up the slack.

I am indeed worried about the maternity pay. It's NHS so I need to find out if their policy is based on continuous NHS service or service specifically for their organisation. May have to find an ally who works there to send the policy over so that I don't have to ask the recruiter.

My husband works for an archaic industry that were baffled he even took two weeks paternity leave when we had our first. So splitting leave with him would be a battle and a half!

Thanks everyone.

I would apply. It could take ages to get pregnant. You could consider stopping TTC until you have the new job to ensure you are eligible for maternity pay

Well he is entitled to do it so maybe his employer needs a push to get with the times :D

Hardly great employing someone for them to then bog off for up to a year on ML leaving them without a person n the role or for colleagues to pick up the slack. No, I don't think it's a great set of circumstance, hence the ask. However, what I do is quite specialist and I can see the benefit of waiting a year for the right person versus hiring someone else just because they are available. It's a strategic role, not an operational one, so some of it could potentially wait until I returned, although obviously I'm only speculating as I only know what the JD says.

Well he is entitled to do it so maybe his employer needs a push to get with the times :D
They DEFINITELY do. It's like the stone ages over there.

I did this and I have never regretted it. You don't know how long it will take to conceive and if the pregnancy will be successful. I did 6 months then took a year off and am back now with no issue.

I would apply. You might take ages to conceive (unless you've already had a child and know you fall quick).

Here’s a link to the maternity leave policy.
www.nhsemployers.org/pay-pensions-and-reward/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service---agenda-for-change/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service-handbook/parents-and-carers/maternity-leave-and-pay-section-15

Employees must have 12 months’ continuous service with the NHS by the eleventh week before the expected week of childbirth (EWC)

Thanks @positivity123 that's great to hear your experience, gives me hope

Thanks @Blossomtoes - does every NHS org have the same do you know? Where I'm currently at have their own maternity policy, but we are on AfC contracts so it's a little odd. I need to find out if this new place just follows that (fingers crossed they do!)

The link is to the National policy, I don’t know if individual organisations vary it for local use. If you’re on an AfC salary scale, is there any possibility of making a case for continuous service? Slim, I know but maybe worth a try.