New job and telling my employer

[lulu778]

Hey mamas!
I just started a new job in January and I'm 16 weeks pregnant. I'm a bit worried about telling my employer about the pregnancy because it's a consultant job so I'll be working on a project. I'll be saying farewell literally a month or two into the project so I hope they don't fail my probation due to my pregnancy! I'm also worried about not getting maternity pay due to being new. Is there anything else I can claim apart from maternity allowance to make ends meet?

Has anyone been in a similar position? How long after birth did you go back to work?

Thanks in advance xxx

You likely won't be offered maternity pay due to how far along you are and having just started. I was in the same position as you but started the job at 10 weeks pregnant and do not qualify - I will only get the government allowance throughout. Some employers are extra nice and offer it, and you could always ask them if they could provide it but they do not have to say yes by law.

I highly doubt they will fail your probation due to pregnancy! They would be liable as it's discrimination.

Although you can be fired within 2 years of a new role this can't be for a protected characteristic, such as pregnancy.

I'm the same as you started new job at 16 weeks. I have discussed with my employer about my probation being extended so it's basically paused while I'm on mat leave. And will be open if I have any pregnancy related issues that I feel impact job performance (via email!!) for my own protection.

Unfortunately it's mat allowance only. My work have a rule where you can't get their benefits without being eligible for SMP and having been there a year but it's a very large org. You might be luckier with a smaller org.