Pregnant and starting a new job - help please!

[coveredinweetabix]

I'm currently a SAHM and DH and I had decided to start TTC (and had had a couple of "goes") when my dream job was advertised so we decided to stop TTC. I was offered the job and start at the beginning of Jan and I was really looking forward to it until I realised a few days ago that one of those "goes" had obviously worked (despite it having taken months to conceive DS) and I'll be 9 weeks pregnant when I start. Will I have any rights to maternity leave or maternity pay or anything? I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I didn't go back to work after my maternity leave finished several months ago so I haven't been employed for almost 2 years although the first year or so of that period was maternity leave. Should I say anything to my new employer before I start or just wait until my 12 wk scan?

As far as I know u will be entitled to the same time off as any other employee, however u will not qualify for SMP. You may be eligable for maternity allowance, but I'd suggest contacting your benefits office to check this. To get SMP you have to have been employed in your current job for 26 weeks by your 25th week of pregnancy. Regarding telling them, you don't have to notify them until ur 25 weeks so it's totally up to you, but they can't hold it against u or not give u the job coz of your pregnancy! Hope this helps xxx

I did exactly this. Was about 8 weeks pg when I started my dream job. It was fine. You're not entitled to SPM or Additional Maternity Leave, but you can get Maternity Allowance which is at least something coming in, and you can return to your job, just like any other pg employee. And you are entitled to time off for your maternity appointments too.

Congratulations!

SPM? SMP. Dur. Money, anyway!

Thanks RockChick & NightLark. At least I'll get some time off even if its not paid (I don't think I get maternity allowance as its so long since I worked). I'll just have to save as much of my salary rather than spend it on nights out, new work clothes etc as originally planned!