New job offer - planning a baby

[AlyaOg]

Hi everyone,

So, I am currently in a situation where I have a really stable and secure government job (which is super easy) - I went to uni for my masters etc. And have now been offered a senior position in a marketing role which is for a less secure company (private companies tend to be less secure , only one-weeks notice in the job etc).

I am planning on conceiving in 6 months (I haven't started my new job yet and still on furlough with my government job). The question is , do I stick to my current secure job on approx £300 less per month. My current job will be a lot more flexible with maternity, pay, sickness, leave etc.

Or do I take the risk and go for it in a job which I may enjoy/ is more relevant to my experience etc.

I am not really a career driven person, I value family over career more and I have plans in the future to start my own business regardless of the choice I make.

Does the contract for the new job say one week?
I have always been on a month minimum
Currently on 6 months!

You sound like you should stick with your current job though

What country are you in?

I'm currently based in the UK. And yes in the contract (new job not signed yet) it states "you or we can end employment at any time with one weeks notice" it seems like a big red flag.

I’d stick with the current job and probably start ttc now rather than waiting six months.

If you're in the UK I would probably stay put, government roles tend to have much better maternity pay compared to private companies which are on the whole pretty poor. Also if you end up conceiving earlier than planned you may not have worked there long enough to be entitled to any maternity benefits. Also within government roles the childcare benefits are usually pretty good and they're generally more flexible if you ever need to go pick baby up from nursery etc.

Also the thought of learning a new role while also trying to conceive or while you're pregnant sounds pretty stressful, you've said your current role is pretty easy so would be a good role to be in whilst your focusing on you and your family

Stay where you are. Sounds pretty cushy and you’ll be going on mat leave soonish

Stay where you are 100percent.
Maternity sounds brilliant. You can put your family first for now. You have your excellent qualifications etc so when the time comes you can progress on. No way would I leave your job for one that could get rid of you in a week.

Thank you so much for the advice! All the women in my life are super career driven with no plans on having children so they don't get where I'm coming from.

I have considered the grand scheme of things and I want more than 12 months mat leave / go back part time. It definitely seems like the safer option to sick at my current job. I have been here 6 years and it is very secure. - who know the new job could be accommodating but more than likely not.

I asked in my interview "what are the main goals for the business in the next 12 months" and they replied with "make more money" also a red flag. I think the pressure to meet targets will be a lot.

Thanks again. Now to find the right words to contact them and decline the job.

If you’re planning on ttc then job security is more important than anything. I’d stay where you are