Made redundant @9 weeks pregnant - options?

[Chickchickola]

I've just found out I am being made redundant. I am 9 weeks preganant.

The redundancy is not related to the pregnancy in any way. It is a small business and the owner is relocating overseas and has decided to personally manage existing client accounts and scale back the business, partly due to lack of new business coming in.

This could not have come at a worse time on a personal level - my husband and and I have been together over 11 years, have a mortgage, this will be our first child and we can't manage on the one income.

My job was a dream job for me, I had been there 2 years, it was very flexible, home working.

I just don't know what my options are, and there are no local job opportunities, I would face an hours commute.

Should I tell potential employers that I am pregnant at interviews? I don't like the thought of concealing it and then the bad feeling that will no doubt exist when I announce it if they offer me a job. I don't think they will offer a job if they know.

I've also been considering my long term future and retraining to be a teacher, I am just not sure how we would get by while I did this, but would love the opportunity for a stable career with good pension and school holidays off to be at home for my child.

Just so confused right now. Can't sleep, sick with worry. Would live to hear others thoughts and experiences.

There is no reason at all to tell anyone -including potential employers - until you are pregnant.

I wouldn't.

I am already 10 weeks pregnant, so that is my issue. I haven't had my 12 week scan obviously but worry about going to interviews while pregnant.

In the current economy i would feel similarly to you. It depends really. Id say if money is such an issue then id conceal the facts.. You mightn't have known so could play that angle. At least that way you would have money coming in! Thats said you are right abt possible ill feeling. You could alway temp? That way you can claim Mat allowance still direct from government. I have to say depending on the organisation I wouldnt discuss it, depends how much you are showing at the time.

If the economy were as it had been i wouldnt probably advocate lying / with holding info but there are so many people out of work competition is so much greater

If you tell potential employers you are pregnant several things could happen

1. They might discriminate against you and not appoint you
2. They might be very worried about a discrimination claim and if you are one of the better candidates might feel they have to give you the job even if they otherwise wouldn't have done
3. They might be able to literally completely disregard the information and make decisions as if you hadn't said anything (very difficult for them to do)
4. You might not get the job and even if your pregnancy was nothing to do with it, you might think that was the reason

It's very early days still. If appointed to a new job you'd still have plenty of time to 'bed in' and prove your worth. If you were thinking of wearing a baggy top and concealing it at 25 weeks that might be different.

I think both you and your potential employers deserve for them to make that decision without the weight of that information encumbering them.

If you get the job, you'll know it's because you're the best person, and even if they are irritated when they find out, you'll have time to prove yourself.

If you don't get the job, you'll know your pregnancy was nothing to do with it.

The potential employer won't have to consider pregnancy, maternity leave and discrimination as part of the process.

You need to think about yourself first and foremost.

Just had an interview, it's a bit of a distance commuting to Guildford but crossing fingers. I told them I was pregnant and hope it hasn't put them off.