To knowingly get pregnant when starting a new job

[YetiSeven]

I'm not here about the legal aspects of this. I know I am protected in law, and know under my company's T and C's I would receive fully maternity benefits.

I just want to know what people would actually genuinely feel about this 😬 it's the one thing holding me back at the moment being a serial people pleaser. For info it's a senior role that can't be absorbed by the wider team, my absence would be felt and the role would have to be filled in the interim. In my head I do think ultimately what's a few months difference when I'm taking a year of anyways?

YABU - it would annoy me if someone did this
YANBU - would think nothing of it

You don’t know how long it will take to TTC.

In a few years time you might look back and regret waiting. None of your colleagues will be looking back and saying I remember when she got pregnant straight after starting a new job.

A job's purpose is to provide you the means to live your life. It is not supposed to be more important than your life.

You have no idea how long it may take you to get pregnant. Do it when it suits you, not when it suits a company.

Listen up, there’s enough going against women in this world already for us to hold ourselves back because we are the child bearers.

Separate the fact that you want children from your career in this instance and go for both.

They employ you, they don’t own you. You’re not unreasonable. It might take months, even years, to conceive, and even if you get lucky first time, they’ll have about nine months out of you before ML.

YANBU. The only thing that should affect your decision about when you try to get pregnant is your and your partner’s opinion on the matter. It is not your responsibility to put your family plans on hold to benefit a corporation. That would be an insane way to arrange your priorities!

If your absence affected me negatively, I obviously wouldn't be thrilled about it. However, that wouldn't stop me recognising that your life is your life, everyone is replaceable, and women have to have babies sometime, and it wouldn't affect how I viewed you. Life goes on, in every sense. We

It's not entirely clear if others would have to work extra hours for no extra pay, or if the role is one that's finally been filled after months of people working extra hours unpaid. For me, the impact on other people is an important factor.

I have had to do shit-tons of unpaid extra work a lot during the last 10 years because the majority of my team has 3 kids, there's no money for cover and few people are keen to be recruited as a maternity cover even if there were. So yeah, when another pregnancy is announced I just think "I can't do this again!". I make sure never to let it show for obvious reasons.

Sorry, but you did ask!

Of course they won't like it, but at the end of the day, fertility is finite so don't mess about. Work stuff can sorted after.

It's just job at the end of the day, they would replace you soon as look at you if your role was not profitable to them. You need to prioritise your needs (your employer certainly wont) and TTC can take years. If you are ready for a baby you need to get started. Yes it might impact team members but that is for your employers to worry about, not you

No, the person covering my job would be fully placed in the post and paid accordingly 😊 it would likely be a 'development' opportunity for the individual.

Appreciate all the candid responses. My husband pretty much says the same thing and ultimately is my mindset to it. Im just looking for reasons to fight back my guilt, however unnecessary it is. As I said originally it's my own silly fault being a people please, people probably won't even care 😂

I don't understand why there'd be no money for cover? Businesses reclaim 92% of SMP. Sounds more like poor management is the issue there.

If a company won't make proper arrangements for cover that's a reason to be angry with the company, not the person wanting to start a family.

I'm in a public sector org with a limited budget.