Job offer at 12 weeks pregnant

[stanns48]

Apologies for the long post! As the subject line suggests I’ve just received a job offer and I’m currently 12 weeks pregnant - I have not had my 12 week scan which is scheduled for Tuesday.

I first applied for this role in August and have had multiple rounds of interviews since - the last round was early January when I was 7 weeks pregnant and had only just discovered I was expecting. There was a gap of two months in October / November when I didn’t hear back so assumed it was a dead end, decided to try for our first baby and there it was on the first go. I’m really delighted about the pregnancy - just trying to maximise my career too..!

I know I don’t have a legal duty to tell my employer until 15 weeks before my due date, but I don’t think I can wait until then - these are colleagues and bosses that I need to build a long term relationship with and I’ve always believed in honesty.

That said, I’m aware that while this company (a very well known and large one at that) can’t ‘legally’ rescind my offer because of pregnancy, proving a rescinded offer is pregnancy related is not always easy...

So my question is - when do I tell them? My 12 week scan is on Tuesday so would want to wait until that’s all clear regardless. I could 1) tell them after my scan to try and negotiate some form or maternity pay (which I otherwise don’t qualify for) or 2) sign the contract and then tell them after the fact - this still feels rather dishonest to me but know it probably makes logical sense.

Thanks so much for any thoughts xx

If this is the right job for you, and you are the right person for the job, then a decent employer will be focused on the long term outcome that you will (eventually) be in post and thriving in the role after your maternity leave.

You will be fully entitled to maternity leave you will not be entitled to any maternity pay via your new employer and shouldn't try to negotiate any. You will be entitled to maternity allowance (which is only slightly less than SMP) if you have been employed for 6 months out of the 15 months leading up to your due date - some of that can be with your new employer, are you currently or have you been recently employed elsewhere? If not then you will just need to live very frugally spending only half your pay between when you start and when you go on leave, then live on savings while on leave and return to work when the savings run out.

I would tell them in writing when they formally give you the job offer in writing. That might give them the opportunity to take a look at the pool of unsuccessful candidates for a potential maternity cover, which would be helpful. If the financial situation would mean that you wouldn't be taking a full maternity leave and would expect to return sooner rather than later then that would also be useful information to let them know asap.

I know of someone who was recruited into a high-flying head-of-department role at the same time as going through a cycle of IVF treatment. Because of the recruitment process taking so long and then serving 3 months notice for her previous employment she was hardly in-post for any time at all before going off on leave, but then 6 months later she was back, and 6 years later is doing a brilliant job and the department is thriving under her leadership. The practicalities of starting are a distant memory and not very important in the big picture.

Do you qualify for Maternity Pay in your current role?

You won't get maternity pay if you leave, and might not qualify for maternity allowance either (if you are working now, and will start soon in your new role, to make up the 6 month total.)

This isn't a matter of choice or negotiation for them.

I would tell them after your 12 week scan, alongside your job offer acceptance. You're right, they legally can't rescind based on pregnancy. If they do, though, I wouldn't want to work in such a nasty place anyway.

Oh, and congratulations! on the job and on the pregnancy. Both great news! Join the September due dates antenatal group. There's a Facebook group linked too.

Thank you @KihoBebiluPute and @ArchbishopOfBanterbury - super helpful and definitely reinforces what I’m thinking. I’ll let them know in writing when I accept the offer on Tuesday (post scan).

I have been working full time and would have qualified for mat leave pay but husband and I had agreed once we realised I was pregnant that it would be worth the short term financial sacrifice if it meant being in this role and company long term.

Thanks both so much for your advice!

This happened to a friend of mine, she took the (dream) job and whilst technically she was within her rights to then go on mat leave without starting- it did not go down well with her new employer. It was worth it for her because it was literally the job she dreamed of. Tbh I would do the same thing and ride out any unofficial snubs.

Thanks all for your input. @KihoBebiluPute I now have the offer in writing - although clearly states subject to contract - but planning on going back on the offer and telling them the news Tuesday after my 12 week scan. Fingers crossed!