Hello everyone - first of all this is my first post so hellooo! everybody!
Oooh and it's a long one, sorry!
So..I had a job interview last week for a job I really want, and they offered me the job, by phone and now in writing. I have accepted the job in writing. I am 11 weeks pregnant. (Yay to both!)
I had a meeting yesterday with my new manager and his manager. I filled in all the paperwork. As the job is for a position of trust I have to pass a full background check - the only aspect of this I'm worried about is the credit check - although I'm sure only things like bankruptcy and CCJ's are flagged up - I don't have any of those, just a small debt and a default (accidental, I moved address and forgot to tell the bank). My credit history isn't amazing though.
I also had to complete a health assessment online which involved the question - are you pregnant. I answered yes, and had to speak to an advisor; as the new employer have to do a risk assessment for me, the health company tell the employer about the pregnancy, in a round about way. (Although they say all information is confidential!)
So I felt I had to tell my new manager at the meeting, before the third party beat me to it. And to be honest I wanted to be honest with him; I feel relatively secure knowing I have the job offer in writing. I have not even started the job yet! I waited until his manager left, and told my new manager in confidence. I did everything I could to assure him I feel fine (great even), am healthy, want and need to return to work afterwards; I told him about Keeping in Touch Days I am allowed to do - everything I should have said I did. I told him I wanted to be honest from the start with him. He was very appreciative of this and congratulated me, said he wished me luck; but I could tell he was absolutely gobsmacked and very nervous!! He said as far as he was concerned he will see me on my start date, keep it confidential, and wishes me luck - but he will be telling the area manager by phone today for advice. He seems a good and decent person.
My worries are that
a) he should not be telling the area manager this yet (I have not even told many friends or family) It's probably already too late to do anything about this; and I think the area manager knows his job well enough to know he should not be hearing confidential info like this yet -
b) shall I put this news in writing myself to the area manager to back myself up?
c) I am not due to start for a couple of weeks yet - do people think that they might try and use the back check, or some other route, as a way of stopping me getting this job now? They are a professional company and I don't really think there's anything they can do now I have the job offer in writing; is there?
d) I was shaking with nerves when I told him I was pregnant, and actually felt guilty as though I had done something wrong or somehow tricked them into giving me a job. I know this is not correct; there were 120 applicants and I got the job. I'm the right person, pregnant or not; right?
e) Does anyone know about credit checks by employers - what stops you getting the job? Apparently only HR sees this and not the managers I have met.
I am happy about this opportunity, but also scared it is all going to go tits up!! I passed the health check however and am fit for work. Does anyone have any advice for me, and also - I am sorry again for the epic post.