Found out I’m pregnant and accepted perm teaching position, no contract yet

[Sk999]

Planning on hiding the pregnancy until beginning of summer holidays or September not sure which is best but I was a long term supply was so happy to accept a full time permanent job offer at the school then week later found out I’m pregnant. I don’t have contract signed but an offer letter. Can they kick me out come September if I still haven’t signed a contract ? Does September make it more difficult for them to do that - is telling them beginning of summer holidays a bad idea unless I’ve signed a contract. I don’t want them to say they no longer need me just because I’m pregnant.

Also we are only 6 weeks 2 days so still so early we need to have a scan and ensure it’s all good.

but what would you do ?

Congratulations!
Although legally they can't discriminate against you because you're pregnant, I would wait until the contract is signed before telling them. I don't think you legally have to tell your employer until 15 weeks before the baby is due, so you're fine until September, by which time you should have the contract as you'll be doing the job.

What if I still don’t sign the contract until end of September or so and I’ve already started working - I would definitely show as well as I would be 5 months by then

Surely they will get all the paperwork done by the end of term otherwise you’d be starting with no contract? I wouldn’t tell them, it’s too early. I would be asking for the contract or at least finding out what the process is and when it will arrive.

Congratulations!

If it were me, I'd be pushing for the contract. There is absolutely no reason for the contract not to be signed before September although I know some schools arent that hot on paperwork but it is in their interest too. I got around a similar situation by going to my LM and saying 'erm....Ive been offered an interview elsewhere, but I am not sure what to do as obviously Ive agreed to the post here but as yet I haven't signed a contract so its not guaranteed and I need the security of a permanent post. What do you recommend?' It got me a contract pretty quick!

Assuming this is your first pregnancy there is no guarantee you will be showing, or at least not obviously come September. Its just the luck of the draw. I was over 6 months before it became obvious and almost 8 months before the kids started commenting......totally different story second and third time around though!

Good luck.

Are you in a union? If so they can advise, if not please join one asap. I also wouldn’t say anything until contract is signed, but you may need medical appts, H&S considerations etc.