Starting a new job at 36 weeks pregnant!

[MerlinsBeard87]

I went for an interview for my dream job yesterday at 30 weeks pregnant and didn't expect to get it. I did!

I'm due the very start of October and they want me to start mid September so I'm only going to have 3 weeks roughly in the job before I go on maternity leave.

Our plan was for me to work right up to the birth anyway, then have 6 weeks of maternity leave to recover from elcs delivery. Then my dh was going to take the rest as shared parental leave as I'll go back to work.

We still want to do this plan, but as we are relocating my dh will have to give up his job to care for the baby then eventually find something new.

Obviously I will start doing my research but does anyone know if we will still be entitled to any maternity pay if I change jobs and dh quits his? I think I can claim from the government rather than my employer, but will they only pay me for the 6 weeks? Or would they still pay parental leave to my dh?

Also need to figure out how to change hospitals and get my elcs agreed at such short notice!
Please help me feel less stressed! Everyone thinks I'm silly for changing jobs so near to having the baby, but I've been chasing that job for years and can't let it go

You'll be entitled to basic maternity pay which isn't linked to your salary, just a flat rate (around £138/week). You'd have to apply directly.

I don't know if your husband can receive shared leave payment if he's unemployed. He could just stay employed with his current job, even if you relocate, but quit at the end of his leave to get the basic flat rate. As many women do at the end of maternity leave. If you only receive basic rate, you don't have to pay anything back should you not return. Check out the .gov website.

You should be able to switch hospitals and consultants, many cs aren't scheduled until 36 weeks+. Just discuss it with your hcp. If it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'd go for it. Noone judges men for changing jobs when they have small children.

You won't be entitled to maternity pay, but may be entitled to maternity allowance.

For shared parental leave I believe you both need to be entitled to maternity/paternity leave, so given that neither of you will be, then no your husband won't be entitled to any payment while he's off (although worth looking at whether you'd be entitled to any other benefits?).