trying for a baby, starting new job - advice!

[thecrab]

my husband and I have been trying for a baby for a while but I've just been accepted to start a new job in a couple of months, well not just a job it's another step up for my career!

Problem is it has a probational period of 6 months!

I'm just worried that if I fall pregnant any time soon it might put my job at risk because I could possibly be taking my maternity leave whilst still on probation.

If it was just some random job and I wasn't the one bringing in all the money I wouldn't be so worried... I don't want to put our life on hold, I've wanted a baby for so long!

Does that make sense? Is there any legal advice someone can give me? Or just some type of reassurance?

I don't think you would be starting ML while on probation. If your job starts in a couple of months and has 6 months probation and you're not pregnant yet, then you would be JUST ready for mat leave when the probation finishes.

More of a problem would be that if you had fewer than 41 weeks service (I think) before the baby arrived, you wouldn't be able to claim SMP - you might want to factor that in.

Technically, it's illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of pregnancy, but there are countless stories on here and elsewhere of how employers have been able to find reasons to dismiss pregnant women and those on mat leave. Realistically, it's not the probation that's a risk factor here, it's the pregnancy.

But if a baby is what you want, then I would just push on and keep trying, regardless of your employment situation. You can't predict what's going to happen, so just deal with things when they come up.

thanks for the advice, it's so tough trying to ultimately choose between starting a family and having a career. My husband is really supportive and says he'll give up his dead end job to do the child care but that doesn't stop me worrying that I could loose my dream job - I've been taught through out university to be very wary of the fact that I'm a woman...

i am a month pg and just finished my 3 month probation and hopefully signing my contract soon . i had a good read of my company hand book and i need to be there for 6 months, 15 weeks beforw due date to get 90% wage then SMP. i should get this but if im there less time then i still get SMP. i think it helps youre working in same company but i spose employers are never going to be happy abt pg. i incidently turned down promotion due to pg

SMP is 90% for 6 weeks then SMP rate - to qualify for this you have to have been employed for at least 26 weeks by 15 weeks before your due date, so basically you need to have started your employment before you get pregnant.

You may qualify for SMA though if you don't qualify for SMP, which (assuming you have paid NIC above the lower earnings level) is paid at the same weekly rate as SMP but you don't get the first 6 wks at 90%.

You never know what's going to happen, if the new job is a good step for your career, then go for it - just try to make a good impression during your probationary period (which you would anyway) so they don't want to do anything underhand.