Telling new employer im 26 weeks pregnant

[Skaltiz]

My last company went under and im currently 26 weeks pregnant but managed to get a job offer for a couple places. I haven't mentioned impregnant yet as im scared of losing the opportunities. Should I be telling them as I accept the offer, or afterwards e.g., day 1 of the job? Its an office based job so no physical activity.

Its very stressful and I cant tell what to do. Worried they'll pull the offers away.
I rang ACAS too and they were near enough useless with their suggestions by effectively saying "we only work in the present, its your choice to make, we cant advise"

Any suggestions welcome. Feel my first pregnancy is being tainted and I cant enjoy it at the moment

This happened to me with my first (10 years ago now). My initial thinking was I should tell them after I was offered the job but a friend works in HR and was quite blunt that in his company they would withdraw the job offer on the balance of probability I wouldn't take them to tribunal. I think this was when you had to pay to go to tribunal TBF.

I told them second day on the job which was incredibly awkward but I think they were as good as they could be about it.

Im glad it worked out for you in the end!
Thanks for sharing it. Its a shame its all made so difficult to handle.

Im tempted to tell after starting (day 1) but concerned it makes me seem disingenuous amd mistreated or even let go since I'm under probation, when I really just want to work hard.
Also i guess there's picking the right offer, as the other company may be incredibly supportive too if Ive end up picking the wrong one and missed out.

So much to think about, all a gamble almost!

Thank you for allowing me to vent too, a lot going through my mind

Don't mention it at interview - it is not a relevant factor on whether you are the best person for the job. Wait for the offer in writing and then consider telling them if you want to negotiate something around mat pay, or, better, tell them after you've accepted. If they let you go or rescind the offer it's maternity discrimination. You can then take them to tribunal which will be a hassle but almost certainly worth it financially.

I told my employer the day after I accepted the job. The response wasn't great and my career never really got going there, but I had financial security and probation ended while I was on mat leave, so on balance it was fine. Moved on after a few years and never looked back. I wish I could have been open but I don't trust any employer to make an unbiased decision about an openly pregnant candidate.

Edit to add: or tell them when you actually start and don't feel guilty about that at all!

I honestly don’t think it makes a massive amount of difference whether you tell them beforehand, once you have the offer, or after you start work.

A company that would not offer due to pregnancy, or withdraw an offer due to pregnancy will also be a company that would without a doubt just let you go once you tell them anyway. As you say you’re brand new, in probation, they can get rid of you very easily and as long as they don’t state pregnancy as the reason they’re in the clear really- they can get rid of you in those early weeks for anything and nothing, just not working out etc.

On that basis if I was you I’d just be upfront because I’d rather know ASAP that I’m not going to have a job so I can keep looking rather than think it’s sorted, start, and be sent packing a few weeks later to then have to start again.

You'll need to tell them as soon as you begin as part of the criteria for mat leave/pay is to advise them when you are taking leave by the 25th week of pregnancy.

This happend to me (he's 15 now !). I told them after I had offer in writing and whilst we were were sorting out the induction/start date logistics. The key thing is to make sure you have your job offer and t&C's before telling them.

You won't be entitled to mat pay but possibly can claim maternity allowance.

Telling them as i accept the offer as id rather just know what im in for sooner than later. Just waiting for a contract to come through for signing

Doing the same now! Waiting for the contract to come through (start date already decided) and will tell them once contract is received. Rather know their response now and rip the plaster off so to speak. Ive come to terms with no maternity pay even though I still have a lot of anger towards my last company. Hoping HMRC will still give me allowance even if i get a new job

I meant to add although it wasn't ideal for my employer, it did mean they could offer the second choice candidate my mat cover contract.

I would be interested to know how they took the news as I’m in pretty much the same boat.
I was made redundant the day I found out I was pregnant! Now 15 weeks and have a job offer, contract signed and due to start in a week, just keen to get it over with and tell them, but extremely anxious how they’ll react!

I told one company on friday after they gave the offer, assuming ill get a response tomorrow.

Another which gave me an offer i haven't told yet but they're the "back up" job depending how the first responds. Will try to update once I know too

For what its worth, thought id update and say that the company still kept their offer and considered me right for the role! They were surprised but cooperative. Worked well in the end. I told them once the offer was given

I signed the contract and then announced I was 24 weeks pregnant!

So I was made redundant at 7 weeks pregnant (enough miscarriages at the time that I was just crossing my legs and hoping she’d stay in). Ended up interviewing for jobs at 14 weeks and before I accepted I told them I was pregnant. Both jobs I applied for said yeah no worries.

Absolute bollocks. Started new job at 17 weeks pregnant and boss was so awful to me. I was trying very hard not to stress about anything and ended up leaving just before my probation because I could not stay. I was working 12 hours shifted days and night and on call as well because the team was so small. Should have taken the other job that I ended passing onto a colleague and he has done really well there.

Do not tell them anything unless you have to. Wait until you get to about 30 weeks. The only thing you must check is they need to make exceptions if you are pregnant- shop floor and stuff.