When to tell new employer?

[Coco1oco]

Hi, looking for some advice from anyone who has been in this situation before.

I am due to go back to an old job next week. I accepted in October and they've been waiting for me to complete my notice period at my current role. The long notice was reflective of the company not the role - I am not senior.
However I found out at the start of December that I'm pregnant.

I feel bad that they've waited for me to come back and I'll be disappearing again soon enough on maternity, like I've let them down!

The hr manager has been keeping in contact and will be in touch again before next week. Should I tell them when they get in touch or wait it out? My 12 week scan is in a few weeks so will need out for that appointment anyway. I've been feeling awful these past few weeks with nausea and sickness too which was easy to hide working from home, which I won't be anymore.

Thanks for any advice ☺️

OP, just want to check you're aware thst by changing jobs at this stage of pregnancy I believe you're not eligible for company mat pay (if applicable) or statutory mat pay. Possibly maternity allowance though.

https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/rights-for-parents-with-more-than-one-job/

No. Don't tell them. You don't need to say anything until 15 weeks before you are due (so approx 22 weeks) and they can't ask. Put yourself first.

Yes thank you though! they only provide SMP anyway so from what I've read the differences between that and MA aren't too much other than the initial amount

Thank you! This was my thinking too but I just feel like I'm letting them down. I doubt they'll be bothered really but just a case of bad timing

@Coco1oco congratulations! Personally I would hold off until after the dating scan and screening test results are back. This way you'll have more confidence that everything is well and you'll also know your due date to inform them of when you do decide to let them know. Best of luck 😊

Okeydokey, glad you've thought it through! I definitely wouldn't tell them before you start in case they are dodgy and rescind the offer on a pretext (would be discrimination but might not stop them trying to get away with it). Ideally you'd be out of your probation period too but that may well not be possible if you need to tell them to get your paid time off for appointments or if you're not feeling well (pregnancy related sick leave doesn't count for whatever triggers they have in their absence policy). Basically don't tell them earlier than you need to, to protect yourself. Not saying they will be dodgy but better safe than sorry.

I get feeling bad (I feel a bit bad because I've also just found out I'm pregnant a couple of months after starting a new job) but we can't put our lives on hold for a company when a company could at any point turn round and make us redundant!