Applying for a maternity cover promotion while trying for a baby

[Bobbins2008]

Hello!

I need some advice re. my job and a pregnancy!

I have been told this week that a 12 month mat cover (fixed term contract) is coming up which would be a promotion for me, on a new team and would I consider applying.

Work obviously do not know that I am currently trying for a baby.
I have worked there for 4 years but I am worried that if I hopefully get the role (due to start in around 2-3 months) then fall pregnant, what on earth do I come back to after my own maternity leave as the mat cover will have ended.
Could I be left jobless or would I automatically go back to the same level as my previous role?

I am super conscious that I can’t say I am trying for a baby but also don’t want to open myself up to be potentially jobless at the end of my own maternity leave.

Anyone had anything similar?

Is it like an internal secondment set up, where (if you didn’t go on mat leave) you would automatically return to your correct role at the end of it?

This is what I am struggling with, the job advert specifically says “12 month fixed term contract”

Others that have done these types of positions in the same business always seem to have returned to the same level as before they took the mat cover (stepped back down) but not necessarily on the same team as before or have ended up staying in the higher role if a permanent role became available.

I don’t know if I’m over thinking it but I really don’t want to have no job to return to whilst on mat leave!

Is it a secondment? If so you do the job and once the fixed term is up you usually return to your old job (assuming you have a permanent contract - over 4 years there you must have). I wouldn't worry about applying when trying for a baby, you could take years to get pregnant (hopefully not, but I know at least 5 people who took 5 years plus), just go for the job.

I'm actually already pregnant (16 weeks) and considering an internal secondment on a promotion that is a mat cover, even though I would be going off end of Oct, although I'd only be in post until the end of oct I get enhanced mat pay on full pay for a further 6 months so they'd actually be paying me the higher salary until next april (for 11 months) even though I'd only be in the job 5 months. I have asked a few people who know I'm pregnant what should I do and they are very much apply, take the money! If I wasn't even pregnant yet I wouldn't even have a decision to make, my application would be in absolutely no question about it. I think in my case though, it is a bit naughty applying!

Update to this:

I spoke to my current boss about it (obviously excluding the baby trying bit!) and asked what job do I come back to.

She said “either you would stay as the promoted position if a job was available or you would go back to your current level” and “never before in my career have I seen somebody return and not be given at least A job”

And tbh this has worried me more 😅

I don’t care about returning to my current level… I care about being told I have nothing to return to as I left as one job on a FTC and in theory “broke” or left my current permanent contract.

Apply for the promotion. If you are offered the job only accept it on the basis that you can return to your current role when the maternity cover post ends (unless the person doesnt return, then assess your options). They should only have filled your role on a temporary basis too so there will be a job to go back to. You should do this irrespective of your own plans to TTC.
Make sure you get it in writing.
Good luck!