How to handle pregnancy with your future employer

[Phoenix2022]

Hi

I am starting a new job and I will be 4/5 week pregnant.
I really like the job and don't want to look bad when I will announce the pregnancy because it means I won't even have one year at the job when I need to leave for maternity leave.
Any advice on how to approach this?
My probation period is 12 weeks, should I tell them after the probation? When is a good time to tell them?
I don't know any of the maternity benefits as of now as I'll start in the next days.

Thanks

You can tell them anytime. The fact you're only going to be 4/5 weeks means you're that early that nobody will bat an eyelid if you said you didn't know when you started.

They can't use pregnancy against you in anyway so whether they're happy about it or it is a bit tough luck for them!
Tell them when you're ready, when you feel comfortable telling anybody. Unless it's a job that you would need an early risk assessment before the 12 weeks then you're absolutely fine to wait.

For the maternity benefits, it's unlikely you'll qualify for maternity pay from them as you were already pregnant when you started. Some companies do offer enhanced pay out of goodwill but they don't need to. In that case have a look at Maternity Allowance as you should be entitled to that. You'll still be entitled to the year off for maternity leave though even without pay from them

@Lou98

You can tell them anytime. The fact you're only going to be 4/5 weeks means you're that early that nobody will bat an eyelid if you said you didn't know when you started.

They can't use pregnancy against you in anyway so whether they're happy about it or it is a bit tough luck for them!
Tell them when you're ready, when you feel comfortable telling anybody. Unless it's a job that you would need an early risk assessment before the 12 weeks then you're absolutely fine to wait.

For the maternity benefits, it's unlikely you'll qualify for maternity pay from them as you were already pregnant when you started. Some companies do offer enhanced pay out of goodwill but they don't need to. In that case have a look at Maternity Allowance as you should be entitled to that. You'll still be entitled to the year off for maternity leave though even without pay from them

Thanks a lot for your answer. Has it happen to you? How far in did you tell your employer in case you have been through the process of telling an employer about your pregnancy and why if I may ask? Ideally, I'll want to tell them as late as possible or at least not just after my passed probation but my wish might change during pregnancy or if it gets too obvious..

I started a job at 8 weeks pregnant with DC2. I told them at 21 weeks, my manager didn't hide his displeasure too well, neither did my colleagues. I just kept my head down, got on with my job. Everybody was over it within a few days and became normal again.

It was nerve wracking and it does feel like you're owning up to a deceit, but tell them when you're ready and try not to feel bad about it.

@Phoenix2022 I haven't started a job knowing I was pregnant but my last job I found out I was pregnant a few weeks after starting.

I told my manager right away as I'm a dog groomer and when pregnant we can't be lifting any large/giant breeds and should have access to seats etc if needed so I told her as part of the risk assessment. If I was still in my old office job for example then I wouldn't have told them until after the 12 week mark.
You legally don't need to tell them until 15 weeks before your due date (so 25 weeks pregnant) so no need to rush.

It was only me and the woman that owned the groomers that worked there. I was self employed but renting a table from her so she wasn't losing any business or having any hassle of me being pregnant iyswim. She was actually looking for someone because she was just about due to go off on maternity herself so she was great, we really got on and I never had any issues.

She had someone else come in and rent a table while I was on maternity with the goal of me going back after my year maternity was up. However, I found out I was pregnant again so I'm now not going back after my maternity

@RosettaTheGardenFairy

I started a job at 8 weeks pregnant with DC2. I told them at 21 weeks, my manager didn't hide his displeasure too well, neither did my colleagues. I just kept my head down, got on with my job. Everybody was over it within a few days and became normal again.

It was nerve wracking and it does feel like you're owning up to a deceit, but tell them when you're ready and try not to feel bad about it.

That's the reaction I fear the most... but good to hear that eventually they get over it and yes I'll try to not feel guilty about it

[quote Lou98]@Phoenix2022 I haven't started a job knowing I was pregnant but my last job I found out I was pregnant a few weeks after starting.

I told my manager right away as I'm a dog groomer and when pregnant we can't be lifting any large/giant breeds and should have access to seats etc if needed so I told her as part of the risk assessment. If I was still in my old office job for example then I wouldn't have told them until after the 12 week mark.
You legally don't need to tell them until 15 weeks before your due date (so 25 weeks pregnant) so no need to rush.

It was only me and the woman that owned the groomers that worked there. I was self employed but renting a table from her so she wasn't losing any business or having any hassle of me being pregnant iyswim. She was actually looking for someone because she was just about due to go off on maternity herself so she was great, we really got on and I never had any issues.

She had someone else come in and rent a table while I was on maternity with the goal of me going back after my year maternity was up. However, I found out I was pregnant again so I'm now not going back after my maternity[/quote]
Ah wah I see, thanks for sharing! That makes sense and congratulations on your pregnancy

can I also ask you how you announced it to your boss? Maybe I should not but I keep thinking about how to justify myself with getting pregnant before starting a new job. Thank you

I was in that situation, was six weeks when I started. It was was OK at first but went sour pretty quickly after I developed some health issues related to the pregnancy and had to be written off sick for two weeks twice. My boss had kids herself but wasn't the nicest person. Eventually she told me not to bother coming back after maternity leave. Thankfully I found a much better job during mat leave so it was all for the best, but it was pretty stressful! I hope it will go better for you.

I applied for a job in January when I was about 4 weeks pregnant, and got the job. They have processed all my checks and I am just waiting for a start date. I am keenly waiting for a start date as I am now almost 11 weeks.... And I don't intend to tell them until I have a final contract with start date in my inbox.

I know they aren't legally allowed to discriminate, but I fear that if I have a crappy manager they could just mess me about to make me want to leave etc. I know that sort of person isn't commonly found, but I don't know this manager from Adam so.... I am not telling them until I absolutely have to.

If I could wait until after my probation period I would, but mine will be six months!

I’m in HR and in my late second trimester and haven’t told my work yet. WFH obvs helps this haha.

I have to tell them by a certain date to claim the mat leave/pay. You can use the .gov calculator.

Telling them as late as possible won’t benefit you in any way. I don’t understand why posters think this. It will just look like you are untrustworthy. Just tell them after your 12 week scan, be clear about your intention to return to the job after mat leave & try to work hard and give a good impression.

@MyNumbBum

I’m in HR and in my late second trimester and haven’t told my work yet. WFH obvs helps this haha.

I have to tell them by a certain date to claim the mat leave/pay. You can use the .gov calculator.

I don't understand why you find this amusing? Why aren't you telling them? Unless they are unreasonable employers why hide something like that until the last minute? Fully understand if you are fearful for your job but even so it's not amusing.

@Cheekypeach

Telling them as late as possible won’t benefit you in any way. I don’t understand why posters think this. It will just look like you are untrustworthy. Just tell them after your 12 week scan, be clear about your intention to return to the job after mat leave & try to work hard and give a good impression.

Exactly this. It's deceitful and childish behaviour if there is no valid reason why its being hidden.

I think you’re right to not mention it during your probation. Sure, it’s unlawful to discriminate against you on the basis of pregnancy but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen and I’m sure it wouldn’t be difficult to manufacture performance issues if necessary and it would be v. hard to prove discrimination.

The only hiccup is if you suffer in the first trimester - I’m currently 12 weeks and things are settling down now but between weeks 6 and 10 I really struggled with sickness and extreme fatigue. Having to have time off for sickness (even if you don’t let on it’s pregnancy related) is a bit iffy. Fingers crossed you are OK in that respect.

Other than that, you have to notify them at 25 weeks, followed by a MATB1 at some point. No legal/contractual duty to notify earlier than that. I would maybe see how things go after probation and pick your timing based on that.

Thank you all!!

I didn't start my job pregnant but I was planning an ivf cycle which I felt a bit bad but with one already failed cycle and my last shot at Ivf with the chance of a job I really wanted to do which hasn't happened in a while after job hopping due to covid I was 5monrhs into a new job when I feel pregnant

I know I didn't need to tell them but I did sooner rather than later - In fact straight away when I was going through the scans and appointments so even before I was pregnant! Risky I know but the way I see it even if you are safe and secure in a job you have no employment rights for 2 yrs and probation periods means nothing for some companies even thought they should - they are just 'easier' ways to get someone out but in my opinion they will if they want you out disguised with warnings and disciplinaries - I've seen it time and time before with 5 yrs working in HR

My job were lovely and supportive and I think it's best being upfront
But I know people that have waited
For me I couldn't deal with the anxiety and telling them was quite empowering and maybe because it was ivf I felt them very understanding even though none had been through infertility

I work with a small number of young girls
And 3 male MD's! Sometimes when I said I needed scans, egg transfer, egg collection etc they were almost a bit like um yeah fine take all the time you need! It was funny.

But I would crack on as normal and providing you like the job, feel you can stay at this job then tell them, will make you feel better and one less thing to worry about

They can't not pass your probation because of pregnancy as it's illegal but they will have to find a reason why you are incompetent to do your job....harder said than done and lots of paperwork and legalities
They will be faced with fines and acas getting involved, no one likes the thought of going down that route with pregnant people as it can sometimes bite them on the bum but as I say it does depend on organisations
So keep work tight, no sickness/lateness etc and as I say if it's a job you are doing well at and you like then you will have no problem

Tough if people don't like it

X

To add although one poster say it may be hard to prove no company or organisation would want to deal with that
It's a shame people are too scared to say anything when they shouldn't have fear for being pregnant and possibly losing their job
As I say it's only because of my background I feel so confident about this subject so I completely understand you wanting to wait your probation x I just personally wouldn't x