Just found out I'm pregnant before starting a new job

[artisticat]

I just found out I'm pregnant (today in fact) and I'm terrified. I was super happy to get a new job which is 100% right for my career progression and a lot more money.

My new job has a probationary period of 6months, and I'm scared that if I tell them they will make up a 'problem' and let me go. However, I'm going to have to tell them before that time is up as it'll be very obvious.

I start my job in 3 weeks time so I will be 8-9 weeks pregnant when I start.

My boyfriend is super scared as well, he's worried the timing is terrible as I'll probably only qualify for statutory maternity pay which I believe is £139 per week? Living in London, that won't go very far at all.

If anyone has ever been through this situation and has any advice/knows anything about legalities of this situation I'd love to here.

I was in the same position as you, and I did not tell my employer that I was pregnant until I had the 3 month scan.

I accepted the position when I was about 5 weeks pregnant, and I began working there when I was just over 4 months pregnant (I'm a Teacher, so was recruited a while before the Summer holidays, and then began in September). I realised that it would take the piss a bit, and would leave them with a really short time to replace me, if I just turned up in September looking pregnant! I decided to tell my Headteacher when I'd just had the 3 month scan, just before the holidays.

I didn't have to work through a probationary period, but was on a 1 year temporary contract. Due to the type of contract, and the fact I wouldn't have been working there long before I had to take maternity leave, I was only entitled to the shitty statutory maternity pay. We live in London too.

In my situation, it was perfectly legal for them to have given me just the statutory pay.

Thanks for replying! How did you make it work with only the statutory pay?

I'm trying to think straight which isn't possible at the moment, but perhaps if I manage to save all the money I would previously have spent on more frivolous things (clothes, alcohol) then maybe I can supplement.