Please, please, please come and help me with this dilemma about applying for new job whilst TTC

[ceebee74]

I am currently trying to TTC so, fingers crossed, I will be pg sooner rather than later.

An opportunity has come up for a job that is 5 minutes away from home (my current job is at least 20 minutes on a good day), so is both much nearer home and DS's nursery and there is absolutely no way I would ever get stuck in traffic to pick DS up which is a real issue at the moment. It would also be more money.

I currently work for the NHS therefore get good maternity pay - so there are 2 parts to my dilemma:

1. Would I be stupid to walk away from my current job knowing that I could benefit from the generous maternity scheme (I couldn't afford to only get Statutory maternity pay)? 2)Do you think it slightly dishonest to apply for a new job knowing that you could either be pg at the time or at least know you will be before too long?

Is the new job not in the NHS so you can continue your service? If not, do you see yourself in this new job for the long term (ie: going back after any pregnancy?). If so then I don't think you are being dishonest. There is no way of knowing how long it will take you to get preg - it could be months, if that is the case by the time you go on maternity leave you will have been there over a year. Only you know whether the financial risk is worth it if you were to only qualify for SMP. Can you write a list of the pros and cons - that might make the choice obvious. HTH

Ceebee74, I had a rather demanding job and decided to change career so that it would fit it with new lifestyle as ttc.

That was 4 years ago now. I haven't managed to successfully conceive but am still trying. I considered everything you said and took less paid, less demanding roles with the hope of a lifestyle change. I even gained and left a very well paid job in the NHS!

With hindsight, the most important thing would be is the role going to be satisfactifying, if yes then go for it. My current boss was a friend and knew I had been ttc when he employed me and was v supportive when we m/c last year. However, I would not volunteer information re ttc to a prospective employer and don't think it dishonest to consider apply for a new job when ttc.

Thanks for your responses.

Pinkteddy - this job is for a private company so my NHS service would stop. I like the idea of writing a 'pros and cons' list.

Wonder - sorry that you have not conceived yet . Not sure if the role is going to be more satisfying - very similar to my current job.

CB, are you happy in your current role?

I was very happy to be employed within the NHS due to the benefits package attached. Unfortunately the job wasn't as advertised so I left, but I waited until the situation became intolerable before leaving simply because of the package attached. Although you haven't mentioned it, what about your pension??? Do you plan to return to work after maternity?

I took on a new job when I was TTC because we had been trying for just over a year & I felt I couldn't keep my life on "hold" any longer.

I then got pregnant during my first week in my new job. My boss was very supportive.

Although I did lose out big time on maternity benefits I do not regret moving for an instant.

Go for the job, what are you losing? If you get offered it, you can make a more informed decision. I'd be inclined to stop TTC until you've started the new job so that you at least would benefit from SMP.

I really wouldn't worry about being 'dishonest' either. You can't put your career on hold while you TTC because you are worried about upsetting a new employer, it might take a while before you are pg for a start, and even then you are likely to work for a good 7-8 months anyway.

If the new job's more money wouldn't that outweigh the excellent maternity scheme you currently benefit from? It also sounds a lot more convenient and fits in better from a work-life balance point of view.

And all that's without even addressing how happy you may or may not be where you are anyway.

I'd definitely go for it.