Telling work

[Mumsym]

Hello
I only started my job in January and I recently found out I’m pregnant. I’m 9 weeks at the moment.

My probation at my new job is 6 months, and passing this increases me notice period from 1 week to 2 months (which I feel gives me much more security). I don’t intend on leaving this job, I fully intend on returning after maternity.

I don’t want to be let go from work for telling them, should I wait until I pass probation? I’ll be approx 17 weeks pregnant if I wait until July. What do I do?

You don't need to tell them for ages yet. You won't be showing at 17 weeks. Definitely wait. Why would you tell them sooner?

Check your HR policy. Mine states that I need to inform HR by week 16.

Don't worry. Tell them when you think it'll be best for you and not before.

As long as i wasnt showing, I'd wait until the end of probation personally.

Legally you don't need to inform your employer until 25 weeks (UK)

If you are dismissed whilst you are pregnant, they will need to have a very good reason for this, even if you're still in probation. Particularly if they do it just after they find out.

They will have to prove that they were not discriminating - pregnancy is a protected characteristic.

Most workplaces would not risk it.

The onus would be on OP to prove it was discrimination, which isn't easy. If she passes her probation before telling them, there will be evidence there are no issues with her work.

It's pretty easy if you've been at a job for 4/5 months with no issues highlighted, then you announce you are pregnant and are suddenly dismissed.

It would be very difficult to look favourably on an employer in that situation, they would have to have a pretty good reason for dismissal for it to not be an extremely obvious case of discrimination.

I had similar in my previous job. Found out I was pregnant 2 months after starting and had probation period until 6 months. I waited until after probation to tell them. I waited a week then told my boss. Her words were "thank his you've finally told me, I've suspected for a while now" 😂

There are laws protecting you in pregnancy OP, tell your employer when you feel ready. However, if your job puts you at risk you will need a risk assessment sooner rather than later

That isn't actually the case. In discrimination cases it is up to the plaintiff to show there is a case to answer. "I told them I was pregnant and then I got dismissed" is sufficient to show there is a case to answer. It is then up to the employer to prove they didn't discriminate.

There is a risk in either scenario, becuse if you don't tell them and they guess, they can dismiss and HONESTLY say that they aren't told and didn't know. So you'd have to claim they knew despite having not told them, or lie and say you did! In the scheme of things I don't think there's a right answer to this question.

I was in a similar position. I'd been with company and about 6m in was pregnant. The company was going through a restructure and we were all re interviewing for our posts. I decided to wait until after I'd been offered a post by then I would be 14 weeks. Unfortunately as it's my 3rd by 12 weeks I had a very obvious bump so everyone guessed.!

Thanks for all your comments. I’ve read my contract and don’t have to tell them until 25 weeks it says. So I think safest bet is to sit tight and not say anything until after probation!