Starting new job at 10 weeks

[Andersonx3]

Hi all,

As above, I'm due to start my new job next week and by then I will be 10 weeks pregnant.

I'm suffering from terrible morning sickness but am hoping I manage to hide it.

When should I tell them I'm pregnant? Can they sack me? How do I go about telling them?

Any advice would be amazing! Thanks!

No, they cannot fire you for being pregnant. That’s illegal. Technically they can still dismiss you, but they would have to prove that it wasn’t because you’re pregnant. You only need to tell them when you’re 25 weeks pregnant (though you will probably be showing before then!). You won’t be entitled to SMP, but you could get Maternity Allowance. I would send them an email, just so there’s an official record of you telling them. Good luck! Not exactly the same, but I got pregnant four weeks after starting a new job. I was terrified to tell them, but I needn’t have been!

How long is your probationary period? If it’s only 4 weeks then wait til after that. If it’s 6 months then you should tell them quickly so it’s on official record.

@CobaltRose96 I'm just thinking because I'll be on a probationary period. I had a bad experience with being fired on probationary period for being on long term sick (been with the company years but moved into a new job role, they said it was due to lack of communication but I contacted every two days ). Yeah I'll have to see if I get any maternity allowance as I know I won't get SMP from them! Oh bless, it's good to know they were fine with it!

@Teddybear45 I haven't had my contract yet but I'll read through and find out once I get it!

Officially they can't sack you for being pregnant, but when you have a new job you have no protection for the first 2 years so it is very easy for them to find a perfectly legal reason to terminate your employment. You'd find it very hard to prove discrimination. Totally unfair, but that's the rules.

I'd wait until you are 14 weeks - just to be sure the pregnancy sticks -and then tell them.

@Megan2018 it's very unfair but there's little we can do! My plan is to keep quiet as long as I can - pretend I'm not a hot drink person too! Then tell them when I start to show or legally have to.