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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

pregnant with new job - advice please!

36 replies

BumblBeee · 29/08/2008 10:37

Just got a new job but am pregnant. Having had 2 miscarriages this year I assumed this pregnancy wouldn't go ahead either but it seems to be continuing.

What to do? I am on a 3 month trial so I fear that they will get rid of me if I tell them about my situation...

OP posts:
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BumblBeee · 04/10/2008 21:44

I did tell them now after being there for 6 months. I had decided that they were good people by that point so took the plunge. They seem ok about it thank god.

Good luck to anyone else in the same position.

xxn

OP posts:
lou031205 · 04/10/2008 21:56

Sorry BumblBeee, but you have been given some out of date advice here.

" For babies due on or after 1 April 2007

If you are an employee you are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave, regardless of length of service or the number of hours you work, providing you give the correct notice, see Notice below. Your maternity leave will still be divided into 26 weeks OML and 26 weeks AML and your rights will still be different during each period of leave, see our factsheet Rights during Maternity Leave, with different rights to return to work depending on whether you return after OML or AML, see our factsheet After Maternity Leave. "

from this site

You are right about SMP, though, you will not be entitled, but will get Maternity Allowance.

I personally would tell them about your pregnancy, because you can only claim that they dismissed you because of your pregnancy if you can show that they knew, and if you don't officially tell them, they could claim ignorance. However, if they notice your bump, they could guess, and then find a way to dismiss you. I would inform them early in writing, so that you are covered.

lou031205 · 04/10/2008 21:58

Also there are no time limits for unfair dismissal claims when the grounds are discriminatory, so the 1 year employment thing is disregarded.

nikkilawson · 12/10/2009 19:31

Hi, i need help i have been at my job just under 3 months but am on a contract. I found out that i was pg 5 days ago and im still early they think 7 weeks. I told my work the next day because im a chambermaid and it includes heavy lifting they were nt happen i caught them talking about me.I have been told i couldnt have kids coz i suffer with really bad endometrios so this was a big but happy shock for me and my partner. They r being very funny with me and asking for my matb1 already and say they cn only do my risk assessment with it.Please may u help me and let me know where i stand. thanks nikki

SecretSlattern · 12/10/2009 19:38

I've just been through the same. Started a job without realising I was pg, am now 9 weeks. Told my boss after 2 weeks and she was lovely about it. I'm still under my probationary period too.

Mama2b5 · 12/10/2009 20:43

BB- really go with what you really feel like doing, its not dishonest not to say right now because you don't have to by law! if you are feeling ill or suffering from morning sickness then maybe tell your line manager or manager! i'm sure they will be supportive! its not bad to be pregnant its wonderful to be pregnant so don't let anyone or anything steal the joy of expecting especially with your past history!

R8v30 - i'm loving your user name and the meaning great one! and great advice from all.

Don't worry, be happy

Nikki- sorry to hear that they are treating this way, which is totally out of order, you need to tell them that you dont get a matb1 until 20 weeks and hey should do there research, if your being treated unfairly, seek advice of your rights or contact head office. no one should be treated this way!

I pray all works out

LittleSilver · 13/10/2009 19:46

Bumblbee,congratulatons on your pregnancy.

I think it would be perfectly reasonable to hold off on telling them, given your anxieties. Incidentally I was 34 weeks pregnant with DD2 when I interviewed for a job and 39 weeks when I started it! Is 4 days a record for time worked before going off on mat leave?

Nikki that is completely wrong, you don't get matb1 for ages (which they hould know!) Can I suggest you put - and get everything in writing as they oud a bit iffy as employer go.

MumNWLondon · 14/10/2009 23:17

I was in this situation with DD! I got the job and got pregnant a few weeks later with a 6 month probabation period!!!! The 6 months was up when I was 24 weeks pregnant and I kept it secret until then - clever dressing.

elkiedee · 14/10/2009 23:59

I hope things worked out for Bumblebee as she started the thread over a year ago!

Nikki, as others have said you don't get matb1 until 20 weeks. There's people who can give useful advice on the Employment threads here if you find you're being discriminated against.

Good luck everyone with babies and work.

ginnybag · 22/10/2009 15:15

A couple of things - (And I apologise for the long, rambly answer! )

By law, you donlt have to tell them until you are 25 weeks pregnant but you won't elegible for time off for appointments etc/risk assesments and what have you until you do inform them, in writing.

You won't get SMP from them whether you carry on working for them or not. You will have to apply for MA. And your entitlement to that will not change once you've worked for three months because it's calculated on your pay for any thirteen weeks in the 66 before the baby is due. And, if you do claim MA, you can claim it from the 29th week of your pregnancy, so if they do let you go, you'd not be without income too terribly long.

In terms of your employer keeping you on, though, I think you'd be far better off being honest about it reasonably soon. If you wait and it becomes obvious you're hiding something, it will poison your relations with your co-workers and managers. Remember, if they do keep you on then, by law, you'll be telling them you're pregnant two weeks after the end of your trial. There's very little chance that anyone will see that as anything other than the deliberate deception that it is.

I agree, I'd stay quiet until after my scans, especially with your history - that's perfectly reasonable - but much beyond that, I wouldn't. Letting everyone know where they stand is much better for you in the long run.

They can't 'fire' you for being pregnant, true, but there's an awful lot of people think that being pregnant makes far more of a difference than it actually does.

As a previous poster said, if you've been working for a company for less than a year, you have very little legal standing for an unfair dismissal case regardless, so waiting until after your three months won't help you. All they have to do is prove you weren't dismissed because of your pregnancy and that wouldn't be hard to do in the current climate at all. Most employment lawyers won't actually even discuss a case where the employee has been working less than a year because there has never been one successfully prosecuted. So no, not a guaranteed 'clear win' at all. Unfortunately. And not one that's applicable at all, if you haven't told them that you're pregnant. In some ways, keeping quiet makes it easier for them, because they can't dismiss you for what they don't know! Even if they find out by rumour - you'd have to prove that they did know!

It's an awkward position, I know, because I found out I was pregnant just after I'd agreed a job change, but it's more hassle for your employer to replace you for the rest of your three months than keep you on (think recruitment costs, lost time, more training etc) and I really do think you'll stand more chnace of keeping your job at the end of it if you're honest with them, than if you're not and they find out anyway. I wouldn't be keen on an employee who thought they could hide something like this from me to 'trick' me into keeping them on.

One to think about carefully, either way.

MumNWLondon · 28/10/2009 21:53

re: the 15 weeks, I don't think thats right... because this was in point for me in my first pregnancy.

"To get SMP you must be employed by me for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the week your baby is due."

Which is another way of saying you weren't pregnant when you started the job (counting from 1st day of LMP).

I didn't say until 24.5 weeks, the day after my 6 month probation period ended!

Now its my 3rd pregnancy and I've managed to do it again. Have been in job for 6 months and I'm 3 months (15 weeks). Will hold on for a bit but am not going to get to 24 weeks without saying!

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