Promotion when pregnant

[furryleopard]

I've just had notification of a promotion opportunity within my directorate at work. I think I'm in with a good chance if I went for it however I'm 6 months pregnant and going off for around 10 months in September. I am planning to return although would like to drop 1 day a week. I feel like I'd be taking the mick to go for it but equally I have a feeling I'd be a front runner if I wasn't pregnant. I'm just not sure what to do. Any advice would be most welcome.

If you want it you should go for it and see what happens. If you are offered it you don't have to take it. You can negotiate terms like you would with any new job.

My boss just applied for a promotion (to become my boss!) when she was 6 months pregnant. She got the job, and will only have around 3 months in post before she leaves. So it happens. Actually I know of another friend who got a promotion who was pregnant too. If you feel you' be taking the mick that makes me sad - it's like you've internalised all the discrimination that women have fought so hard over the last 40 years or so (since the sex discrimination act) to overcome.

If you'd be going back and able to do the job fully then apply - if you don't feel you can commit to the job 100% (eg if you could only do four days not five) then maybe not.

Go for it.

So this might be a job you do for the next 5 years. Yes, you won't be available for a few months of it out of that 5 year period but that is no reason not to go for it when you take a longer view. I've known quite a number of people have to take extended periods off work to have surgery (knees and shoulders seem prevalent) - do you think any of them would consider not applying for a promotion merely because it coincided with them being off for 3 or even 6 months?

In terms of dropping a day, that depends a bit on the role. My boss (male, as it happens) only works 4 days/week for childcare reasons. It is a pain in the arse because he doesn't plan his time properly to make sure we aren't stuck with stuff we need to ask him on his day off. This is a failure to delegate on his part, not an indication that the job can't be done in 4 days. But if you were to be directly supervising a team it might be harder to do in 4 days without thinking it through - perhaps with a deputy?

If you want the job, go for it. Sorting out the rest will follow from what happens next. Good luck!

Presumably they want someone committed and long term

Definitely go for it!
If there is more supervision, you don't need to show yet how you'd handle it, if you have a good enough idea to word your flexible working request.
We have a very long lead time on promotions and I applied for one before notifying my employers of my current adoption leave. Within a couple of weeks of going on leave I found out I'd got the promotion (it's the same job but a regrade so additional responsibilities when I go back) and the new pay scale kicks in on a fixed date, while I'll still be getting enhanced pay.
I already have experience of negotiating my responsibilities for part time working so I'll have that to help me when I request that again.
Another colleague works part time at my new grade so that helps too.

I think I will go for it. It is local government so there is unlikely to be an issue about the change in hours on my return. The role is project management basically but involves no supervision. Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

I'm afraid I wouldn't be so blasé as to assume that. I work in the public sector, and got my request turned down flat. Don't bank on that until you have the letter in your hand saying yes.