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Original poster

25 weeks pregnant job starting in a week

112 replies

Question2022 · 04/02/2022 22:25

Hi,

I will be starting a job soon with the NHS as a medical secretary and am going to be about 27 weeks when I start.

I heard that by 28 weeks pregnant they can medically suspend you. Please can anyone shed some light on this as I am slightly confused

So I have not told work that am pregnant until my start date. I am really worried to start a job at this late stage. Anyone who knows about NHS can pregnant employees work till the later weeks of their pregnancy what about covid 19? Can they accommodate working from home of the job can be easily carried out at home.

Thanks

OP posts:
2022babyhope · 05/02/2022 15:55

I think you have to tell your employer 15 weeks before you're due date... that being said you don't have to disclose pregnancy at interview or acceptance stage but I'm not sure how long ago you started the interview process.

If you've not previously worked for the NHS it might be worth checking if your entitled to any funded maternity leave, some policies require you to have been in service 6 month ect

Is it a job you'd like to go back to once you've had baby?

Crazycatlady83 · 05/02/2022 15:57

@Pinklittle

From my understanding you do not have to inform an employer of a pregnancy until 15 weeks before the due date, as you will be over this when you start I'm not sure where the book lies tbh OP - good luck with your new role
But OP has said she doesn't intend to inform them until she starts, when she will be 27 weeks pregnant. If she isn't yet 25 weeks, she can fix this by informing them (and obviously they cannot discriminate against her) but she can't just pitch up on day one, and expect everything to be Ok. The law is clear, she should inform them by the time she is 25 weeks that she wants to take maternity leave. The only get out is, that she didn't know she was pregnant (and this obvs doesn't apply here)
WouldIBeATwat · 05/02/2022 15:58

The OP says they start next week and will be 27 weeks. So she must be past 25 weeks already.

Maireas · 05/02/2022 15:58

What was the reason for not telling them when you accepted the job?

Doggoo · 05/02/2022 15:59

Tell them now before you start. That would be incredibly shitty to just turn up heavily pregnant.

And no, You won’t be medically suspended or told to work from home because you’re pregnant.

Original poster
Question2022 · 05/02/2022 16:00

@Crazycatlady83

But are you not going to take maternity leave? You should have informed your employer by 25 weeks pregnant of your pregnancy if you want to take maternity leave.
I have not signed the offer of employment yet I was led to believe that I didn't need to disclose this until I had signed the contract and was actually starting there
OP posts:
lunar1 · 05/02/2022 16:00

So you are going to turn up for your induction and tell them you are pregnant. I guess at least it's a big organisation and not a small business.

Original poster
Question2022 · 05/02/2022 16:00

@Doggoo

Tell them now before you start. That would be incredibly shitty to just turn up heavily pregnant.

And no, You won’t be medically suspended or told to work from home because you’re pregnant.

The intention. is to tell them and see.
OP posts:
lunar1 · 05/02/2022 16:00

How long do you see yourself working before you start mat leave?

Butterfly44 · 05/02/2022 16:01

Well you're very unlikely to get maternity pay as a start. You also don't have an automatic right to work from home. So you won't be being paid. No way your manger will want to backfill and pay maternity when you've been deceitful about things. The right time to inform would be when the job was offered, not turn up on start date to inform once all the HR checks have been complete. Somewhere on the OH and health assessment you've not been truthful on the form.
For the deceit alone I'd not look to keep you on - honesty means everything.

milkysmum · 05/02/2022 16:04

I work for the NHS and have previously held management positions ( now in a senior clinical role ). I'll be honest I would be absolutely furious if someone started a post at 27 weeks pregnant and had not informed anyone of this prior to starting. All the effort that goes into recruitment, other candidates lost, nobody now to fill the post soon after you've been trained up and then go straight on maternity leave. It won't go down well, not at all.

NavigatingAdolescence · 05/02/2022 16:05

I’d expect my team to be discussing the lying on the Occ health form with OP pretty robustly.

She can’t be sacked for being pregnant but she can for breach of trust and confidence.

bonetiredwithtwins · 05/02/2022 16:07

It's irrelevant what the law says you've been morally and ethically deceitful - and does zero for womens rights and sets our cause back years and just plays to the stereotype that women are a PITA to employ

OverTheRubicon · 05/02/2022 16:07

"I have not signed the offer of employment yet I was led to believe that I didn't need to disclose this until I had signed the contract and was actually starting there*

Why haven't you signed it? I also don't think you've understood that they have no legal requirement to offer a full maternity leave (even unpaid, which is all you'll get), if you haven't told them 15 weeks before your due date. Which is right now.

RedRobin100 · 05/02/2022 16:10

But you’re basically starting in your third trimester. I can’t believe you haven’t told them yet!

NavigatingAdolescence · 05/02/2022 16:11

@OverTheRubicon

"I have not signed the offer of employment yet I was led to believe that I didn't need to disclose this until I had signed the contract and was actually starting there*

Why haven't you signed it? I also don't think you've understood that they have no legal requirement to offer a full maternity leave (even unpaid, which is all you'll get), if you haven't told them 15 weeks before your due date. Which is right now.

NHS doesn’t tend to issue contracts until the start date.
DameDoom · 05/02/2022 16:12

Legally fine but morally reprehensible. Your new colleagues will be very unimpressed. There’s no way I’d have the brass neck.

OverTheRubicon · 05/02/2022 16:14

@DameDoom

Legally fine but morally reprehensible. Your new colleagues will be very unimpressed. There’s no way I’d have the brass neck.
Not legally fine for her if she wants maternity leave. Employers don't have to guarantee (unpaid or paid) statutory maternity leave if they aren't informed at least 15 weeks in advance.
HollieD31 · 05/02/2022 16:16

Wow...and to nhs at these times

eatthatcake · 05/02/2022 16:20

You will have a probationary period as well. They can't sack you for anything to do with your pregnancy but don't put it past anyone to find other issues they find to get rid. They have to justify it substantially but it's not a given that they can't sack you just because you're pregnant.

Lazypuppy · 05/02/2022 16:21

Wow!

And as others have said you'll get no mat pay and potentially no mat leave, how did you not read up on ehat you needed to do with Mat B1 etc before now

AlDanvers · 05/02/2022 16:22

Did you realise you won't get mat pay or, potentially, entitled to mat leave?

ChittyBangs · 05/02/2022 16:22

Wow this won't go down well.
You need to let them know.
You'll be there 10 weeks and want to go on mat leave.
It's a waste of their time I'm afraid.

eatthatcake · 05/02/2022 16:24

Your time to tell them was when you accepted the role. Not when you swan in with a bump on the first day. You're having a laugh if you think they will allow you to work from home. I work in the NHS myself and find it insulting that you think this is an acceptable way to behave in a professional environment.

lucylucyapplejuicy · 05/02/2022 16:25

I'd really let them know ASAP, it's going to be really awkward for you starting in your third trimester! Plus time off for appointments, Mat leave etc? They will need to find someone to cover your job while on leave? That's if you qualify for it at this stage. Either way don't stress I suppose and try to take it easy but please do let them know