New job...

[WeePoppy]

I know that there have been a number of threads on the subjects, and I have read them, but I feel that each case is different and I would like a little bit of advice...

To give you a bit of background, I got pregnant in early February and was made redundant at the end of March this year. I cannot afford not to work so I started looking for work as soon as I knew I was being made redundant. Luckily, I did find a new job reasonably quickly. I applied early April, was interviewed mid April and was offered the job very shortly after that. It is a rather specialised job in the third sector.

My problem is: I will be 14 weeks pregnant by the time I start the new job. I feel very guilty about accepting a job offer knowing that I was pregnant but by the same token, I couldn't afford not to and it is a job I am well qualified to do and that I will very much enjoy doing. The probation period is 6 months, so I won't even be able to complete it before I go on maternity leave. I do not intend to take a long maternity leave as I feel that it would be very unfair on my employer.

I guess that my question is: when should I disclose my pregnancy to my new employer? The day I start? A few weeks in to give them time to see me at work? I don't want to wait until I'm 25 weeks in... Any advice would be much appreciated.

How short is short? Are you literally going to take 3 months for example, in which case they'll hardly notice you are gone! You are doing nothing wrong but it's right to think of the best way to handle it. Certainly tell them before they notice for themselves, as it affords you more protection. Do you worry they will not pass your probationary period when they know? I think they would be on dodgy ground unless they had (or made up) other good reasons.

...I would also consider reposting this in the employment matters section for a different angle.

Thanks Brandysnapper, I will do. I was thinking of taking somewhere between 3 and 6 months, depending on childcare arrangements... I have always worked in the third sector and I have always had very friendly and understanding managers (goes with the job I suppose ) and my new manager seems very approachable too but I'm still worried about it.

I have done this. Had rmcs so could not put life on hold while ttc. I think if you bounce in and make yourself pretty indispensable they will be fine about it all.

I started a job at 9 weeks pregnant and told them on my third day in the job. They were shocked but took it well. I just felt I had to bite the bullet and tell them as it was really stressing me out. I wasn't pregnant when I accepted the job but starting a new job knowing I was pregnant was a real worry. But I just thought I would have to deal with whatever the consequences where as they arose. Luckily they were supportive I worked hard, proved myself as a valuable member of the team and didn't let my pregnancy effect my work too much. Although they were very flexible with me in return. Im taking 7 months in total as I am sharing my leave with my husband. My last day was last friday. I finished earlier than I had hoped at 36 + 2 and they were all lovely.

Lots of luck.

I'm in HR and our new director started in January then announced her pregnancy!! Life happens. They might not be pleased but it is what it is.

I would tell them sooner rather than later but preferably after getting good feedback. It means they can't then start fault picking to get you out without contradicting the good feedback. /cynical

Thanks everyone. I would feel better telling them straight away but I might wait a week or two to get a chance to start the job.

A friend of mine was in the same situation due to redundancy, she told them straight away and all was fine. She was also able to start her mat leave a little later as was able to work some days from home. She works in a specialised job as well

I started a new job at 11 weeks pregnant a few years ago - I emailed my boss the week before I started and told him that way - it felt easier than asking for a fraught appointment on my first or second day at work. It also meant I could present the whole thing fairly lucidly - I genuinely hadn't known I was pregnant when I accepted the job, and in fact we stopped TTC almost straight away, but DC2 happened anyway. I also took minimal maternity leave as a courtesy to my new employer, and was able to write this in the first email. He was very understanding, and I am still in the same job almost six years later, and expecting DC3 this summer. Good luck!

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, I feel a bit better about it now.