When should I tell my employer?

[MummyBear405]

Hi lovely mums & mums to be!

I am still within my 6 month probation period with my work and we found out we were pregnant at the weekend (I'm only 4 weeks).

I'm also diabetic so will have to attend more appointments at the hospital than usual, having my manager know would make this easier short term but my husband doesn't think it's a good idea to tell them until after my probation is up at the end of July.

Not sure what to do!

I think you legally have to tell them by week 25 with the MATB1 form.

You might not have a choice to not tell them before that if you get sick and/or have lots of appointments as with antenatal appointments you don’t need to make the time up. I used a few days annual leave to hide before 12 weeks but this is my second and I have no additional medical conditions. You might be able to get away with a few ‘GP’ appointments or if you are able to work from home.

It depends. If your workplace has lots of potential hazards that could be harmful in pregnancy, it is best to tell them sooner rather than later. You won't be entitled to paid antenatal appointments until you actually tell them.

In my first pregnancy j waited until I had my 12 week scan. This time I am in a different work environment and had to tell them pretty much immediately, I have also reduced my hours. I too was still on 6 month probation but I still passed my probation. Not all employees are equal though

Wait until after your first consultant appointment. Diabetes doesn’t always mean a lot of appointments - if your sugar levels are under control you may only need extra monitoring from the middle of the second trimester.

That's a good point! I work for an AV rental company and whilst I'm based in the office I sometimes have to go down to the warehouse to pull equipment which could be dangerous for me

You can tell your manager and ask them to keep it confidential. At least that way you will get all your appointments.

Where I work they like you to tell your manager by 15 weeks for risk assessment purposes, but you don't have to inform HR with your MATB1 form until at least 21 days before you are due to start your maternity leave.