Fallen pregnant on maternity cover!

[Holly3]

Hi :-)

So I'm on maternity cover until end October, fallen pregnant super quick and we really didn't think it would happen so fast as last time took over a year.

I need to inform my boss soon as there are some things at work and some machines etc I can't use - I'm just not sure what's best and don't want to shoot myself in the foot. If I tell them now (6 weeks) can they get rid of me before the end of my maternity cover? I've been there since end October last year.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated! We also have a night out next weekend and I'm not sure what to use as an excuse!

I'm aghast at some of the replies here. Women going on maternity leave is a reality for any business that employs women. And it is something that can be planned for because obviously you know several months in advance. In our experience of running a business, those women usually return after maternity leave, maybe have another dc (or more) and continue to be loyal and valued members of staff for years.

Congratulations Holly 😊

Hi OP
Congratulations! You sound like you have hit the employer jackpot there!
I am in the same position as you, started a mat cover role in Sept for up to 1 year, but without knowing it I was already (just) pregnant. I didn't feel irresponsible (honestly can't believe previous posters have even suggested that), I felt darned lucky! Sadly I miscarried and had a really awkward convo with my female boss who sat me down and talked sex ed as I cringed and recoiled and hoped the floor would swallow me whole 😵

I'm now pregnant again (11 weeks and still in the same mat cover role), and due to the nature of mat cover roles have also just found out the person I'm covering has decided to come back early, as is their right. I still don't feel irresponsible. I have a roof over my head, a loving DH and family and a bean in my belly.

So, however much you might plan, things change all the time and you can't predict what will happen, even less so in mat cover positions. Even in perm positions, redundancy might be also happen at any time.....bet those people wouldn't be called irresponsible though (can you imagine)?!

For now, I'm job hunting again, the nature of my field is that you apply 6 months before starting. A lot can change in 6 months.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, lucky you for finding yourseld in an understanding and supportive environment, we can be responsibly irresponsible together!
All the best for your pregnancy 🎉🤞😁