Just found out I'm pregnant and starting a new job - what do i do?

[RoseRobinW]

Hi all,

So my husband and I started trying for a baby in July. I then (a little out of the blue) got an opportunity to interview for and landed an amazing role, which starts in September. Well, I just found out I'm pregnant - we're happy but in shock as we thought it would take longer.

When I start the role, I'll be around six weeks along based on the date of my last period. And now I'm worried as the role has a 6 month probation period and I'm just anxious about how they'll react when I tell them and whether they'll find an excuse to get rid of me (hopefully an unfounded fear, they seem really nice.)

I'm also anxious about having to take time off for things like scans and appointments when I've just joined the company. I want to make a good impression and don't want to be constantly away for various doctors' appointments (first child, don't know how or when they schedule them tbh). I also won't be telling them right away that I'm pregnant... I was hoping to make a good impression first and then reiterate that I am definitely planning on coming back after my Mat leave - I know it'll be unpaid, that's fine.

Any advice on how to navigate the first few weeks? And if you've been through this, when/how did you share the news and also how did you navigate having to ask for time off for the numerous appointments before you shared the news? Also, from an employer POV, is it REALLY annoying when this happens? Idk, I can't help but feel guilty even though I definitely didn't think it would happen so quickly AND I plan on coming back after Mat leave if all goes well with the role.

Take the job. I was in a similar position (going through ivf) when I interviewed for a new role (an internal role within the NHS though. I got it and started when pregnant (about 6 weeks). Told them when I was 14 weeks. No issues.
unfortunately not all pregnancies are successful and you can’t put your life on hold based on what you hope will happen.

Have you resigned from your current job?
What are the maternity benefits at the new one? It’s unlikely you’ll be eligible for any enhanced benefits other than SMP if you’re already pregnant when you join. Not that that should preclude you from starting but it could be a factor in your decision making.

As a manager, this happened to me twice recently with new employees. It’s not a problem. It’s not annoying. It’s just life. If it’s a large organisation they will be used to it. Legally we need to allow time off for appointments and support the employee as much as possible in all the normal ways ie with reasonable adjustments if needed. Make sure you do everything required of you to pass your probation and take on board any feedback given and you will be fine.

I was in this situation - actually accepted a job when I'd recently found out I was pregnant. After 4 losses there was no way I was turning down a great job, and I didn't tell them until last week (at 19 weeks), and they were very kind about it. Yes, it's frustrating for them but it does happen and the world doesn't stop moving!
Just do the absolute best job you can, show them you want to be there for the long term post mat leave. Only downside personally is if you are 6 weeks you will likely just miss out on statutory maternity pay and only get maternity allowance, so a slight financial downside.

Thanks everyone, this is really encouraging! It's nice to hear from people who've dealt with it where it's turned out okay.

I'm self-employed currently so I wouldn't have qualified for SMP anyway, but we'd already planned on me going on Mat leave on just maternity allowance before I got the job. So luckily, that's not a concern.

So the plan is - do my absolute best at the job, show my commitment, tell them at around 12 weeks, explain the plan is to definitely come back after I take some leave, and hopefully it all works out!

I would out I was pregnant the same day I was made redundant. I had a hectic few weeks applying for everything. I got through to final interview for 2 jobs, I stopped applying after 12 weeks and had the final interviews at 14 weeks unfortunately I didn't get them so I didn't have to have the conversation with any employers. I was going to go with open and honest and hope for the best, my thought was I'd prefer someone be honest with me rather than waiting for the last minute to keep the trust in the relationship. If a company was going to hold it against me maybe it wasn't the right company for me. After two losses I couldn't not go for suitable jobs as I didn't know if this pregnancy would stick around.
Maternity allowance rather than smp or enhanced packages are the biggest difference. I'm not in employment so applied for maternity allowance as soon as I was able to, the form took a bit of time and attention to make sure i got it right but wasn't difficult and it was approved within a week or two and I got my first payment soon after.

Take the job.
Do exactly as you've suggested but when you tell them do not apologise.
This happens much more often than you'd realise. You're protected against termination for reasons of discrimination immediately anyway. In other words, if you disclose the pregnancy at week 12 and get terminated at week 13, you call ACAS immediately and raise a case against them. Check your home insurance includes legal cover.
Most likely outcome is that it'll all be fine.
Don't tell them before 12 weeks though.

Be completely selfish. Take the job, enjoy your baby. A job is a job, no matter how lovely your employer is or how much you care about it. Ultimately you are replaceable there. Do what's best for you.

Take the job, work hard. Pregnancy is a normal part of life it’s not a personal affront to your employers. As said it’s likely you will just get
smp due to being pregnant.
in terms of appointments there’s a booking in with midwife, 2 scans and around 5 more midwife appointments. More are booked towards the end. Depending on your availability you could try to book out of work but you are entitled to the time off .