Changing jobs whilst pregnant..dilemma

[anjelah]

I have worked at my current company for four years, handed my notice in at the beginning of the month to start a new job in the new year.

This morning I realised I am pregnant (2 weeks - well 4 officially).

I don't honestly know what to do! The new place is a smallish company, majority men - I don't think they're going to be impressed with me announcing i'm pregnant so early! They have a 6 month probation period and I'm worried they'll look for a way to get rid of me (as much as they shouldn't). On the other hand, my current company, I really don't want to work here any more, they were very flexible when I was pregnant last time but I'm not sure they would be this time (management change).

I think I'm looking for reassurance as to how the new company may react and how they can legally react!

I think, but am not a lawyer or HR professional, that getting rid of someone for a protected characteristic like pregnancy is just as illegal in a probationary period as outside one.

You say you've already handed in your notice. Would your current employer allow you to retract it? Your question maybe redundant if not.

Oh they'd bite my hand off if I retracted it - I had good reasons for looking elsewhere though - hence my dilemma.

Are you looking to work flexibly on your return (reduced hours / compressed hours etc)? Do you qualify for enhanced occupational maternity pay (over and above SMP) in your current role? Would you qualify for it in the new role?

In the current role I get to work from home 2 days a week, but only statutory maternity. I imagine I won't qualify for anything in my new role. The new place is flexible for working hours, no working from home at the beginning (that tends to involve trust).

I'd only plan on being off for 3 months at the most (was 11 weeks last time), but I just worry they'll be annoyed and find a way to remove me!

As Doctrine said they "shouldn't" dismiss you because you are pregnant. But, it's costly to make an Employment Tribunal claim if they do (unless you are a member of a union that will fund it or have legal expenses insurance). Costs are generally not awarded to the claiming party by the ET even if you win. And claiming is time consuming and emotionally draining (I'm going through it now). And you might not win. They could legitimately refuse a flexible working request (as could your current employer). As you're planning on taking very little time off are you willing and able to work full time where your employer requires on your return?

It sounds like your current role is fairly secure but you're unhappy, and the new role is the unknown? Would you be happy there? It's hard to make unscrupulous employers comply with the law, so being protected means compensation for loss of earnings and discrimination at best. It doesn't guarantee you your job or career.