Start a new job or wait?

[Lilly1111]

Hello, I am currently pregnant and on a fixed-term contract for another 9 months. By the time I give birth, I qualify for full SMP and enhanced pay for two months.

However, I have been offered a new job, and by the time I work my notice period (which I need to negotiate), I'll likely be at least four months pregnant at a minimum.

Do I take the new job and tell them I am pregnant straight away? (which I am nervous about). I won't qualify for SMP, but I will at least have a job to return to. Or do I reject it, stay put, get my SMP, and then look for a new job while on maternity leave?

Is the job one you actually want? Is it better paid overall? What are their policies on flexible working etc,? Do you see yourself staying in the role longer term?

If all of the above is favourable, I would accept the job offer, and then notify them of the pregnancy shortly after. They can't legally withdraw a job offer on the basis of pregnancy, so make sure to get the offer in writing and to accept in writing.

It's better to have the security of a job to go back to and for the sake of two months SMP, I think that's preferable. You're also early enough in your pregnancy to try to save to cover some of the shortfall.

It's totally possible to look for a new job during your mat leave, but I wouldn't necessarily want the pressure of having to find one during that time. It's such an uncertain period without that hassle. Best to have some security in place, I think.

Well it depends if the job is one you want.
And how easy would it be to find a job as good as this after mat leave in your role/sector?
is there any way you can get out of your notice period earlier?
Would you get paid more and can you save up the extra to help you over mat leave?
if you are technically unemployed after mat leave would you be entitled to any benefits?

id be tempted to worry about right now personally, you’d have more money right now, have your enhanced pay and SMP and you can worry about getting a job in a few months. But that only works if you have savings, or are able to access other benefits etc. Is it even feasible to have no SMP your whole mat leave?

If the new job is a good job you’d actually like to do, if it pays better and you can mitigate some of the losses of that enhanced pay and smp then you could consider that. But I wouldn’t leave myself stuck now for some future gains.

alternatively could you ask your current employer if there’s any scope to return after mat leave?

Thanks for the response. It is slightly better pay, but I am not sure about their flexible working policy yet. They say they are flexible on their website. I applied before I knew I was pregnant, so I would like to return to it after maternity leave. It's just that I will only be in the job for about five months max before I am off on mat leave, and there is a lack of SMP, etc.

There is no way I can extend my fixed-term contract, it will end in 9 months. I read that I can apply for Maternity Allowance if I can't get SMP, so guess that is still something.

You may also qualify for Universal Credit @Lilly1111. If you (or your partner?) are not a high income earner, and don’t have lots in savings, I’d apply now. It’s highly likely you will be eligible when on SMP because it’s such a pittance. Me and my partner are working professionals on a decent income and we applied for exorbitant childcare reasons. We quickly realised we probably would’ve been eligible for a tiny amount before the baby!

Is this your first baby? If you’re on Universal Credit when the baby comes, you can also receive a surestart grant of £500 to help with costs.