Working my notice in work & just got my BFP!!! Advise please!

[CTMcG]

Hi all,

I have just finished week 2 of a 4 week notice and have just got my BFP - due approx 23rd April. I start new job on 7th Sept.

The new job comes with a 15% pay rise and hybrid working model. Way more money and way less travelling!

I know the decision is mine at the end of the day but curious to hear some opinions - should I stay or should I go? (Now I am singing that song! Haha)

I am in 2 minds because -
Maternity pay/rights, i dont think id be in new job long enough to qualify?
If I stay and unfortunately miscarry, then I have missed out on a massive opportunity in the new place.(my current job would let me stay, they even joked today if i had changed my mind yet)
Do I be honest with new employer and see what they say? Like where I would stand starting in Sept and going off to have a baby in the April

Thank you for reading x

Hi, you won't qualify for maternity pay from your new job (I'm in a very similar situation) however you should get some money from the government. Definitely go for it!!

Oh and I also wouldn't tell my new employer straight away, otherwise you may find that they made a 'mistake'

@Arghlife thank you for your response!

I really dont want to pass up on the opportunity but scared! My worry is if I go to new job, realistically i would eventually have to tell them and still be in a probationary period, they can't fire me for being pregnant can they? Even if i am not there long! This is my first pregnancy so I have no idea about this kind of stuff lol x

You would get maternity allowance instead of statutory maternity pay. Its pretty much the same except you won't get the 6 weeks at 90% pay like you would on SMP.

You dont need to tell them straight away; they need informed by the time you are 25 weeks

No they can't fire you for being pregnant

@dementedpixie thank you! I guess i know you cant get fired for being pregnant, that was a silly question but I am so afraid of telling them im pregnant only 3 months in.

I have pcos and subclinical hypothyroidism so when i knew i was starting a new job, i couldn't bring myself to hold off ttc for a few months as I am 31 but never expected to fall pregnant 2nd cycle!! So i am over the moon and these things always work out in the end I guess :)

I think you should go to the new job as you are almost there. I would inform them at 12 weeks or slightly later (unless an earlier risk assessment is required). They can't discriminate against you but sadly it does happen a lot. Keep good evidence of positive feedback and progress before you tell them. But ultimately you don't owe anyone anything, do whichever puts you in the best position.

I'm still in my probation period, found out I was pregnant 2 days before starting my new job. Told them when I was around 13 weeks, they've been fine.

Pregnancy is a protected characteristic you cannot be fired for it.
I'd go to your new job, work till your 25 weeks and let them know your pregnant then.

@GoWalkabout No risk assessment would be needed in new job thankfully.

@Arghlife I guess I am worried about affordability. My current job said they would match new salary (although id be travelling about 250miles a week to and from work but maybe only 100miles in new job- i am also in process of buying a house which will be 20mile from work) 90% of new salary as opposed to government help i think would cripple me - saying that; im not actually sure how much that is🙈

Maternity allowance is only about £152 per week

SMP only offers 90% of salary for 6 weeks unless you existing employer offers an enhanced maternity package

Have you checked what the qualifying period for the full maternity package is? Either way I'd still take the new role but would save the 15% that you're gaining in your new role to help with maternity (and more of you can afford it!).
I also interviewed when pregnant (following ivf- so knew really early on), but it was an internal move (local council) so I had the full maternity package. I was anxious telling colleagues but after taking a years maternity I worked with them for 5 more years so they got their monies worth!

@dementedpixie ah ok so I would only really be missing out for the first 6 weeks. Il start saving away now and all will be grand!

Thanks Ladies, definitely going with new job :)

Personally, I would take the new job if you can do it financially. Slightly different circumstances but I got my BFP one week after starting my new job (better pay, opportunities etc) and so only qualified for maternity allowance. We saved leading up to it to dip into if we need to. My new employers have been lovely and I’m so glad I took the opportunity because I genuinely love the job and I’m looking forward to going back. I felt bad at the time but I want to work there for many years.

Ps congratulations!

You would get maternity allowance instead of statutory maternity pay. Its pretty much the same except you won't get the 6 weeks at 90% pay like you would on SMP

Only if the ops current employer doesn't offer an enhanced package. Tbh I don't know anyone who's had only basic maternity pay in the last few years, enhanced packages seem to be common.

My job pays 6 months full pay - the difference in that to only £150 a week MA would be huge for me (and £150 pw wouldn't be sustainable).

I said in a post afterwards that her employer may offer an enhanced package but not all do.

Sounds like she'd prefer the new job though and it's less travel and more pay

@Bananas52 thank you :) i love my current colleagues, it is like another family and we have so much craic but no progression etc so this is too good of an opportunity to miss!

@AmazinglyGraceless I am not actually sure on where my current employer stands with maternity and it would be so sketchy of me to ask them 2 weeks before I am suppose to leave 🙈 the last lady in work to go off on maternity was 13 years ago and I remember asking her about it months ago and she said she couldn't remember lol x

If you may rely on benefits to top up income at all then there is a difference between Maternity allowance and SMP. On universal credit when you have a child they ignore part of your wages (work allowance £515/£293 difference whether you get help with rent) and then reduce after that. SMP is counted as wages but maternity allowance is not and deducted in full.

So it depends on your current maternity pay package. I wouldn't stay for 6 weeks stat @ 90% but I would for an enhanced package.

I currently qualify for 6 months full pay and the rest at 50% pay - I couldn't afford to give that up but equally it's one of the reasons I feel happy & looked after and want to stay / return after babies.

@Duetorain thats completely went over my head! I am a terrible 31 year old adult! Haha

I dont get any help, nor does my husband, i think thats what you mean?

But you’re already in notice period aren’t you? If you were thinking about accepting the new offer but pregnant I would say stay for any enhanced maternity package but seeing as you’ve already quit there isn’t much option to stay in current role without looking extremely shady! Best thing is to start new role and say you’re pregnant at required time surely? But I guess that’s tricky if you can’t afford it. I don’t see how there’s a way back to your current role though, unless I’m missing something. Congratulations by the way! X

At my work you qualify for maternity leave pay from day 1 of working there... Maybe your company is the same.

Make the move and do shared parental leave with your partner if the financial strain is too difficult

You qualify for maternity leave from day 1 but usually for statutory maternity pay you need to have been working there for 26 weeks by the time you are 25 weeks pregnant.

The qualification for Pay and leave is usually different