HELP! New job and pregnant..

[Dabrat21]

Hi, I would really appreciate any advice. I accepted a new job in October 2018 due to start in jan 2019. I found out I was pregnant at the end of November 2018.

I’m now 4 weeks in and currently 14 weeks pregnant. I have a probation period of 3 months. My partner has told me to hold off telling them until after my probation. By then, I will be 22 weeks pregnant and I’m pretty sure it’ll be obvious?

I’m worried I’ll lose this job and be pregnant and unable to get another job. It really wasn’t planned so was a complete shock.

This is my first child. Can anyone give any advice?

Thank you so much.
Xx

Congratulations! They can’t legally fire you because you’re pregnant. Have you had any reviews? If you have and they have been generally positive they would be on shaky grounds dismissing you. I would just try to work as hard as possible to prove your value and leave it as long as you can, but if it starts to be obvious tell them. Hope it goes well.

How big are you now? Do you have morning sickness?

I was in a similar position although I fell pregnant after I started but before my probation. Although they can't fire you for being pregnant I was very mindful that my employer may just use another reason. I held back on telling her until after my probation review. However I wasn't as far along as you.

I think in your shoes I would gather together all good feedback and also ask for a review meeting before your probation so that you have some evidence that you're doing a good job.

When you do tell them make sure that you put it in writing as well as verbally so they can't deny that you told them and find another way to get rid of you. Do you plan to return there after maternity leave?

If you wait that long and you’re obviously showing, couldn’t they simply dismiss you because ... any reason/no reason..... and because you haven’t told them you’re pregnant, you can’t say they’re discriminating?

@YesMrsWaterford thank you

@sl07 no the sickness has now gone. I’m just wearing baggy clothes but a small bump forming.

@MaverickSnoopy thanks!

@shouldwestayorshouldwego thanks - will do

Yes I am planning on returning to work - I need the money!

I think you will be more protected by telling them you are pregnant. Once they know they can’t pretend they didn’t know iyswim. If they notice and you haven’t told them, and they were that way inclined, they could get rid of you with no repercussions.

Get some good reviews/feedback under your belt in writing. Then tell them when you start to show. They won't dare to dismiss you!

There is some useful information here on when you must tell them www.babycentre.co.uk/a454/telling-your-employer-youre-pregnant

I found Maternity Action a really helpful site when I started my job pregnant
www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/pregnant-at-work/

I was nearly 20w when I started (civil service so long onboarding!) and told them quite quickly, but I trusted that they’d be decent about it.

You don’t have to tell them until you have your MatB1 form, but if you think it would be helpful for them to know (risk assessment, planning) and you feel that they’ll treat you fairly then you can tell them before. It’s worth remembering that an employer can get rid of you for any (legal) reason in the first two years of a contract - probation doesn’t make much difference.

Many congratulations on your baby, and remember that many many women have been/are in exactly the same boat as you and life goes on - employers should be able to handle it.

I didn't say anything with any of my 3 pregnancies until I handed my MATB1 form at 24 weeks. I was on a fixed term contract during the first pregnancy and I waited until I was made permanent before announcing it. I was in a low risk desk job and quite fat anyhow so I could get away with it.