Job hunting when pregnant?

[MrsBaldrick]

Hoping for some Pearls of Mumsnet Wisdom here!

Do any of you have experience of starting a new job then announcing your pregnancy shortly after?

We?re expecting our first baby, it?s early days and I?m only 5 + 4 but have previously had two miscarriages. I had already applied for two positions before finding out I was pregnant and have subsequently been invited to interviews.

Is now the wrong time to be looking to move jobs? From a legal perspective I know that I?m well within my rights to accept a new position. However, I can see that it may not be well received by a new employer....

We?re optimistic about this pregnancy but should history repeat itself I don?t want to find myself losing a baby and the opportunity of a new job too.

Any experiences greatly welcomed....

No personal experience, but an acquaintance of mine did this. Her employers tried to take her to court for 'non-disclosure' (she was about 2 or 3 months pregnant when she took the job), but backed down because she had the law on her side. However, they did make her life VERY difficult for the rest of her pregnancy.

She is now on maternity leave and as far as I know is not planning on returning to the same place afterwards.

If I were you I would go to the interviews, take the job if you're offered it, but be prepared for them to not be too happy with you when you reveal all. Sad but true :(

First of all - congratulations. I hope this time things work out for you.

As you've said though, it's early days and anything could happen. Personally, I'd go with it and carry on as normal. Anyone who employs a woman of a certain age is never that shocked if they announce a pg so I wouldn't feel too bad.

I am in a not dissimilar position. In Jan (I was about 11 weeks) I took a post which was meant to be temporary. They like me and want me to stay but I'm now 20weeks. I've not told them yet and am still wearing clothes to work which make me look fat rather than pg! I think I'm holding off until my next scan on Thursday.

Just go with the flow. What is meant to be will happen

Oh yes - I'm not expecting them to be delighted either! But at least I can justifiably say that when I took the position I was not expecting it to be permanent. Also, they won't have to pay me SMP so that should sweeten the pill!

Thank you both for replying to my first Mumsnet post!

I?m inclined to keep my options open as you both suggest. My catch phrase at the moment is "Que sera, sera"! Oh to be Mystic Meg though and have a crystal ball...

KatieWatie- I feel for your friend, sounds like she's had a horrendous experience...

buttonmoon78- it sounds like all will work out well for you. You've had a good opportunity to make a fantastic impression on them before announcing your news! Thank you for the ?congratulations? by the way, it?s the first one we?ve had as we?ve not yet told anyone in RL! Made me smile.

A pleasure! I've been storing them up myself this time, I must admit, as we're on #4 so most people's reaction is not 'congratulations' but 'you're what?!' Charming

Anyhow, must get on and actually do some work or they might not be as impressed as previously!

Yes, I fell pregnant when I was job hunting last year and decided to continue. Before I reached 12wks, I didn't tell anyone when going for interviews etc - it's too early, and they don't need to know anyway at that stage.

But once I started hitting the 15-16 week mark, I decided to go for the honesty option - but by then I had changed strategy and made it clear that I was looking for a temporary position, i.e. for a few months, hoping that the combination of honesty and the fact they wouldn't have to cover me for maternity would make employing me an attractive potential employee.
And it payed off! I managed to get a 4-month job, which suits me just perfectly. Yes, I won't have a job to go back to, but I'm hoping that I've made a positive enough impression to get a foot in the door. In fact, they have already hinted that there might be something for me.

I would encourage you to keep looking! Have a think about taking on a temporary job to get you to close to your EDD- a lot of employers are keen to make concessions if they really want you, and I would certainly recommend being as honest as possible - but not before 12 weeks, give yourself some time, there is a lot to consider.

BTW, the course of action that I took was all suggested and 'approved' by a professional outplacement coach who tutored me at my last workplace when I was made redundant, so I haven't just made this all up.

The only thing I would say about moving jobs when pregnant is to be careful as to how it would affect your maternity pay.

I took a job knowing I was pregnant and told them a month or so after I started. They have been absolutley fine about it, but that may be because they don't have to pay me any maternity pay and I'm only taking 6 months off.

I have heard of people being offered jobs, then being honest about their pregnancy and having the offer withdrawn. So I would also be careful about handing in your notice before you have a signed, sealed contract with your new employers.

Thanks for your input JBrd and Vassia, much appreciated.

JBrd- Pleased to hear that things are working out well for you. It sounds like our situations are fairly similar. I?m also at risk of redundancy at the moment and one of my interviews is for a temporary project role for up to 12 months. I had been mentally ruling it out for being temporary, but having read your post realised that it could well be to my advantage ultimately. Thank you.

Vassia- Thanks for the pointers on maternity pay & contracts, definitely something to bear in mind. Glad to hear your employer was supportive!

MrsBaldrick, are you in a job at the moment? If so, you should probably think about sticking it out in order to get your maternity pay, unless of course you're absolutely miserable!

I was made redundant before Christmas at 10 weeks pregnant. Luckily my husband was promoted the week before so I've not had to grab a job, any job, in order to keep our heads above water. When I spoke to the Job Centre, they advised me that I shouldn't mention my pregnancy on an application form, but maybe to mention it in the interview. The last thing you want is for them to make your pregnancy unpleasant because you've announced it on your first day there. Having said that, if you're in quite a specialised sector where the ideal job only comes up once in a blue moon, maybe a little awkwardness in the beginning would be outweighed in the long run?

Best of luck!