Applying for a new role (same company) while trying to conceive

[LondonladyTTC]

Hi all

I wasn't sure where to put this and I was debating between the conception page and work but landed here in case there were any managers who had seen this from a managers perspective.

I have been at my current company (financial services) for 11 years, and the last 6 years have been in the same team. DH and I started trying for our first 18 months ago and it hasn't happened as quickly as we originally expected.

I am now at the stage where I am really ready for a new opportunity (although would stay internal as love the company and I am eligible for enhanced maternity leave) but I am torn on whether or not I should progress with finding a new role or focus on getting pregnant so that I don't mess a new team around (by potentially announcing that I am pregnant having only recently started).

I am fully aware that our journey to having a baby might take years so don't want to hold my career back, but I also don't want to burn any bridges in my potential new role. I know that it is my right to have a baby whenever I want, and I have been loyal to the company so far but realistically, I can't help feel off that I may be joining a new role for such a short period of time.

Just wondered if anyone else had any previous experience with this either from a managers perspective (I would be really interested to hear how you felt) or as an employee having to make the decision, whether it worked out in the end (ie I'm being nuts for thinking this) or that it was wise to potentially put one on hold. I am 32 so still relatively young.

So jealous that my DH doesn't naturally think like this so doesn't have the same stress- I wish I was a bit more chill!

Thanks all!

Never put your plans on hold for something without a definite timeline. And never consider a companies fortunes over your own. Business don’t care about people!

Go for the new role. You may never get the opportunity again.

@Forstarters

Never put your plans on hold for something without a definite timeline. And never consider a companies fortunes over your own. Business don’t care about people!

Totally this.

I've seen this from a manager's side. Managing this kind of thing is part of the job. It's your manager's problem not yours.

Also don't ever think a company will reward loyalty unless it's in their best interests to do so. They won't look out for you if things get challenging for them. You have to look out for yourself.

Honestly dealing with an employee on maternity leave is a normal thing and it's not particularly difficult. You don't even know if and when you'll get pregnant. You really need to separate the 2 things in your head and like others have said put yourself and your career first before the company.

Go for the job. In the time it took me to conceive I progressed up 2 grades and then was still in my new role over a year before I went on maternity leave. Actually worked out better for me as my maternity pay was based in my higher salary whereas if I’d waited I would be worse off.

Thanks so much all! Definitely given me the encouragement I needed to focus on a new role without worrying too much about when I may conceive.