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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Applying for a new job at same company but 22 weeks pregnant

33 replies

temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:14

I'm pregnant and my dream job has arisen at my current company. Only worked for them for 6 months though :/ don't like my current job.

AIBU to think they would offer me an interview knowing I'm due for maternity leave soon!

OP posts:
Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:26

.

OP posts:
Newusernameaug · 30/07/2023 20:27

I know they’re not meant to discriminate but honestly - would you give you the job knowing you couldn’t do it for x months?
If they’re advertising surely it means they need someone now.

Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:29

Newusernameaug · 30/07/2023 20:27

I know they’re not meant to discriminate but honestly - would you give you the job knowing you couldn’t do it for x months?
If they’re advertising surely it means they need someone now.

Nope.

The reason why they gave the other person the job is because she applied for another job at the company, didn't get it, but thought she would be good at this job. However she didn't stay more than 6 months.

So I don't know if perhaps they find it hard to Recruit ;/

OP posts:
Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:29

I just don't know if I would look a fool if I applied for it or it could work out ok.

OP posts:
LostBiro · 30/07/2023 20:30

Apply. Pregnant women are just as entitled to apply for jobs as anyone else. Does the company know you're pregnant?

Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:33

LostBiro · 30/07/2023 20:30

Apply. Pregnant women are just as entitled to apply for jobs as anyone else. Does the company know you're pregnant?

Yes. Sadly just been of for a few weeks as a bit unwell :/

OP posts:
Miekle · 30/07/2023 20:34

If you change jobs at this stage, would it mean you are still entitled to SMP because it's the same company, or would you be downgraded to mat allowance? I'm not sure if it's the job or the company that makes the difference but definitely don't go for it without checking! Also if your company has enhanced mat pay you'll want to check you'd still qualify.

But in answer to your question, it never hurts to apply. Go for it!

Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:36

Miekle · 30/07/2023 20:34

If you change jobs at this stage, would it mean you are still entitled to SMP because it's the same company, or would you be downgraded to mat allowance? I'm not sure if it's the job or the company that makes the difference but definitely don't go for it without checking! Also if your company has enhanced mat pay you'll want to check you'd still qualify.

But in answer to your question, it never hurts to apply. Go for it!

It would be a reduction in wages but I honestly don't care because it's along the lines of what I want to do long term.

I don't get enhanced pay.

I also don't see how it would affect mat pay because I'm still employed. But I would check it.

OP posts:
PeloMom · 30/07/2023 20:37

Even without the pregnancy it’d not look good to apply for a new position while you haven’t been at your current one for long enough. You current boss will have to give reference and having been there for 6m only I doubt they have much to go on to give glowing references.

Miekle · 30/07/2023 20:40

It would affect SMP if you change jobs midway through pregnancy. You would lose the 90% pay for the first six weeks of mat leave. That is certain. You have to be in the same job for the whole pregnancy to qualify.
What I am not certain about is whether moving jobs within the same company counts as the same job or a different one for the purposes of SMP. Acas will know.

Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:41

PeloMom · 30/07/2023 20:37

Even without the pregnancy it’d not look good to apply for a new position while you haven’t been at your current one for long enough. You current boss will have to give reference and having been there for 6m only I doubt they have much to go on to give glowing references.

References are almost always factual and my current boss perhaps wouldn't say a bad word if I'm leaving.... because shows no dedication to the job

OP posts:
Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 20:43

Miekle · 30/07/2023 20:40

It would affect SMP if you change jobs midway through pregnancy. You would lose the 90% pay for the first six weeks of mat leave. That is certain. You have to be in the same job for the whole pregnancy to qualify.
What I am not certain about is whether moving jobs within the same company counts as the same job or a different one for the purposes of SMP. Acas will know.

"You must have been employed by your employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks into the qualifying week (which is the 15th week before the week in which the baby is due). This period must include at least 1 days employment in the qualifying week"

Continuous employment so SMP not affected

OP posts:
SausageinaBun · 30/07/2023 20:55

Irrespective of your pregnancy, I'd be somewhat suspicious of your sticking power, if you've only been in role for 6 months. But the only way to find out whether the decision maker in your organisation shares that view is to speak to them or actually apply.

Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 21:01

SausageinaBun · 30/07/2023 20:55

Irrespective of your pregnancy, I'd be somewhat suspicious of your sticking power, if you've only been in role for 6 months. But the only way to find out whether the decision maker in your organisation shares that view is to speak to them or actually apply.

I can justify the other job more than I can my current one. It would be a slight drop in salary. It's an interest I have etc.

OP posts:
Flounder2022 · 30/07/2023 21:04

Newusernameaug · 30/07/2023 20:27

I know they’re not meant to discriminate but honestly - would you give you the job knowing you couldn’t do it for x months?
If they’re advertising surely it means they need someone now.

I was interviewed and got the job at 35 weeks pregnant. The first day of the new role was the same as my first day of may leave

Flounder2022 · 30/07/2023 21:06

*mat

SausageinaBun · 30/07/2023 21:08

You might be able to justify the move, but it is up to the hiring manager to decide whether they want to take the risk on someone flighty.

Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 21:10

SausageinaBun · 30/07/2023 21:08

You might be able to justify the move, but it is up to the hiring manager to decide whether they want to take the risk on someone flighty.

I think me going on maternity is the biggest issue.

OP posts:
Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 21:17

@Flounder2022 did they get someone else to do your job for a year?

OP posts:
SausageinaBun · 30/07/2023 21:19

Your mat leave might be the biggest issue, but not wanting someone who flits from job to job is the perfect reason for them avoiding taking you, without looking like maternity discrimination.

NoIncomeTaxNoVAT · 30/07/2023 21:25

Well i got a promotion on the day i finished for mat leave 😅 But I'd been at my organisation for 8years (at the tim and working for my current manager for 4yrs so he was very supportive and happy to wait for me to return. They backfilled my old post whilst i was on leave and when i came back i immediately started in the more senior role.

Is there someone trustworthy that you know at the company that you could have a quiet word with? Its going to be hard for people to give advice without knowing the company dynamics. A trusted person might be able to advise you better.

londonrach · 30/07/2023 21:27

Smp be my only concern

londonrach · 30/07/2023 21:28

Although being only six months in previous job ...be careful here

Original poster
temosmail · 30/07/2023 21:29

NoIncomeTaxNoVAT · 30/07/2023 21:25

Well i got a promotion on the day i finished for mat leave 😅 But I'd been at my organisation for 8years (at the tim and working for my current manager for 4yrs so he was very supportive and happy to wait for me to return. They backfilled my old post whilst i was on leave and when i came back i immediately started in the more senior role.

Is there someone trustworthy that you know at the company that you could have a quiet word with? Its going to be hard for people to give advice without knowing the company dynamics. A trusted person might be able to advise you better.

I don't know anyone really that could advise. It's a company with 300 staff but we wfh.... so hard to build informal networks

OP posts:
tealandteal · 30/07/2023 21:32

I interviewed for a promotion 2 weeks before I went on May leave! They knew I was who they wanted so came up with a plan for 2 people to share the role while I was off. If you don’t like your current role, what’s the worst that can happen?

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