TTC and short term NHS contract

[Sailth]

Hello, could someone please give me advice on ttc when on a short term contract/prospect at changing jobs when pregnant etc. Basically I have just started a new one year contract with NHS.

We want to start ttc asap. This is baby no. 2 but because of my age not so much time left. I missed out on maternity pay last time and it was difficult financially so important to meet eligibility this time. However, I've just started working for NHS. To be eligible for the full maternity pay I will need to work for 12 months continuous service with one or more NHS employers at the beginning of the 11th week before baby is due. So as I've just started I wont be eligible until I have the baby around Nov 2022, meaning ttc from approx Feb 2022 onwards. No guarantee I'll get pregnant the first few months of ttc though. My current contract is only for one year and expires August 2022.

So here are my questions. If I secure another job to start August 2022 in the NHS I will still be eligible for full maternity pay but would a new job even recruit me if I was visably pregnant? I know they can't discriminate but in reality I'd only be in job for short period before maternity leave. Or other options include leaving current position earlier than a full year to secure longer term job within NHS? However I'm guessing ttc might take longer than expected and any new position might ask why I'm leaving my current position earlier. Delaying ttc not an option due to my age but ttc knowing my contract coming to an end without another position would make me nervous. I am in a skilled area with many jobs so hopefully wouldn't be too hard to find another position. Would appreciate any advice please.

Bump

As far a I am aware if u leave the current temp role for permanent nhs one it will be continuous service. Same again if ur temp one leads to permanent. It’s not unheard of for a pregnant lady to get the job. I personally worked in a dept that gave a girl the job and she stopped for mat leave the next week ! If I was u I would probably start looking for permanent nhs role ASAP x

Thanks @MrsSugar will do. Just a lot of jobs in my sector are short term contracts but will start looking for longer term positions or hope they extend current position. Funny about your colleague. Did she return after mat leave?

Aw I see, fingers crossed for you that something suitable comes up !! Yeah she did and still does the role now. I was quite surprised tbh but she was obvz the right person for the job so she got it !

Also, could your current fixed term contract be extended do you think? Is that likely? They're not allowed not to renew your contract just because you're pregnant.

So your current contract finishes in August, you want to TTC from Febuary, quite normal to be looking for a permenant job and I don't think it would raise any eyebrows. If you interview (remembering it's likely to be teams anyway) in March/ Apri/May even June you won't be visibly pregnant. Most women I know I interviewed in person between 4-5 months and "got away with it".

@MrsSugar thanks that's really good to know

@Xlalalaladdd it would be ideal if my contract were extended and they have mentioned it but said they won't know until nearer the time which isn't great in my situation.

Thanks @traumatisednoodle that's really reassuring. So those new pregnant employees went on maternity leave a few months later and that was OK? I mean I know it has to be OK, just makes me nervous thinking about starting a new position then leaving soon afterwards , thanks.