To take a new job when pregnant

[Bakingmom]

I’m currently a supply teacher and I’ve just been offered a fixed term teaching job at the school I’m working at now. The job starts in September. However, I’ve just found out I’m 5 weeks pregnant which we are obviously thrilled about. This job is a dream position for me and I don’t want to turn it down, but I’m going to be at least 4 months pregnant when I start in sep. this means I’ll only work until Christmas and then have to go on Mat leave. I feel bad for taking the position and then telling them I’m pregnant and can only do 3 months but I also don’t want to turn it down as it’s a great opportunity for me and it’s much better money, great towards my career etc. I’m thinking that I would accept and then tell them I’m pregnant maybe before I start back in august time. Has anyone had experience of this? I don’t want them to think I’m messing them about taking the job also don’t want to put my own career on hold months before I even go on Mat leave!

I did that! Didn't realise at interview I was pregnant. New school was great but I only took 6 months off (Christmas - July) then had 2 weeks jury service 🙈

Take the job. Women have had years of being screwed over with career prospects due to being female and carrying babies.
As you say tell them in late August. You would generally not tell an employer until past 12-14 weeks anyway.

Yake the job. It’s very early days and some people wouldn’t even know they are pregnant yet. Don’t give up the opportunity.

*take

Congratulations (twice!)! Take the job, you deserve it.

Take the job. This happened to me. I pretended I didn't find out until I was way gone 😂 in September I was like 'oh yeah... I did not know!' I had to reapply for my job when heavily pregnant as it was only a short fixed term contract and I didn't get it. My interview apparently... Good luck. You need to save as much as poss.

Only thing is, are you better off staying with the agency and getting statutory maternity pay or will you be happy to have maternity allowance which is what you will get if you change jobs while pregnant. It's the same mount of money.

The other thing is, you could say you were not sure the pregnancy would stick, which is why you took the job (which unfortunately is something to consider)

Unless this is a temporary job e.g a maternity cover or just a one year contract, etc then you must take the job! You are entitled to go on maternity leave and you’d be going on it at some point in the future. Congratulations btw. 😘

@dreamygirl25 when I tell them I will say I didn’t find out until after I’d taken the position 😂 I’m not worried about Mat pay because I think I’d get the same whether I take it or stay at the agency as I’ll only qualify for Mat allowance and as you said it’s the same as smp anyway!

@Lostmum2407 it is only a fixed term 1 year contract, so you mean this in regards to me having a job to return to after my Mat leave ends or something else? Because regardless of if I take it or not I’d still be in the same position when I finish my Mat leave, I know the job might not be there for me if I wanted to return however there’s more of chance there will be if I take it than if I continue supplying because that way I’d still only have supply to go back to, if that makes sense?

If it’s your dream job, take it. I actually think it’s discriminatory that already pregnant women aren’t entitled to the same Mat pay etc that non pregnant women would be. Although there are a couple of trusts waiving this which is awesome.

I’d check your finances in terms of eligibility etc but that bit is for you to consider. I would definitely take the job regardless of pregnancy status

Congratulations for both!
I would accept the job.

I have just done the same. I found out I was pregnant after a couple of interviews. I accepted the job, and then I told them after my 12 week scan - I had a 3 month notice period, so like you I wanted to give them a bit of notice event even though I didn’t legally have to tell them.

It is definitely not ideal, but I have no regrets and you shouldn’t have to give up your dream job. My new company have been really understanding, and I’m now working for 3 months for them before I go on maternity leave.

Just to point out on the pay side there is a bit of a difference between statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance, as you get 6 weeks at 90% pay on SMP before going onto the weekly allowance, whereas with MA you just get the weekly allowance (which is the same amount). So just be aware of this impact on your finances.

Good luck!

Yes, definitely take the job. Congratulations on both fronts!