Accepted a job whilst pregnant

Bramblecrumble22 · 13/02/2024 17:57

No advice, but good luck.

Boomer84 · 13/02/2024 18:24

I’d say it’s poor consideration towards the employer personally

emmaempenadas · 13/02/2024 18:26

Boomer84 · 13/02/2024 18:24

I’d say it’s poor consideration towards the employer personally

So she shouldn't get a job? How is she going to pay for the baby?

emmaempenadas · 13/02/2024 18:27

MTV2001 · 13/02/2024 17:26

Has anyone ever accepted a job whilst being pregnant? And then told new boss a few weeks after?

I'm unemployed and 7 weeks pregnant and am in final rounds of interviewing for a role.

Feeling anxious about the conversation should I get the job

You don't need to tell your work until your 25 weeks op. Don't worry about it.

mummyh2016 · 13/02/2024 18:28

It's not great for the employer but they can't (or should I say shouldn't!) discriminate. If you're unemployed currently you don't really have a choice so go for it. You likely won't be entitled to any enhanced MP, SMP they claim back from the government so the only thing they'll really be paying out on will be the holidays you accrue whilst on maternity leave. Are you likely to go back to the job afterwards?

BranchGold · 13/02/2024 18:29

You’re not obligated to inform them at interview.

Be mindful of the maternity payment dates, I’m not familiar with what they are exactly, someone more knowledgeable will say how many weeks by a certain cut off you have to be to get payments.

mummyh2016 · 13/02/2024 18:29

mummyh2016 · 13/02/2024 18:28

It's not great for the employer but they can't (or should I say shouldn't!) discriminate. If you're unemployed currently you don't really have a choice so go for it. You likely won't be entitled to any enhanced MP, SMP they claim back from the government so the only thing they'll really be paying out on will be the holidays you accrue whilst on maternity leave. Are you likely to go back to the job afterwards?

Sorry it will be MA not SMP.

whatajoke26 · 13/02/2024 18:30

Yes, I have. I just told them once I signed the contract and had my induction. It's a protected characteristic, they shouldn't and can't discriminate. I worked for a few more months and went off on maternity leave. I didn't get their enhanced maternity pay but I had to apply for maternity allowance.

Luckydog7 · 13/02/2024 18:35

7 weeks is very early, you legitimately might not have even found out by now. I would tell them at 12 weeks once scan confirms everything.

Original poster

MTV2001 · 13/02/2024 20:12

Thanks so much

I'm not massively worried about getting enhanced mat leave, it's more having a job between now and Oct. I had a baby last year, and just before I was meant to be going on mat leave the company went bust. great timing. Now my baby is old enough, I'm ready to find a new job, but i'm pregnant again. so rubbish timing as I would have liked to have secured a job first. Main worry is a huge gap on my CV. If i'm able to work now for a few months before 2nd baby I think it looks better that this huge career gap.

OP posts:

Surroundedbyfools · 13/02/2024 20:15

I would continue with the interviews and hopefully u will get the job, I would then keep things quiet until you have started. U can claim u only just found it. Yes it’s unfortunate for the company but ur going to have 2 children who need provided for and let’s face it most employers would drop u like stone if it suited them at anytime. I’ve had to take jobs in bad situations before but that’s what I tell myself. Companies do not care about you so just do what’s best for you and your little family ! Congratulations btw ! X

Original poster

MTV2001 · 13/02/2024 21:26

Thanks so much for your message!!! @Surroundedbyfools

OP posts:

Mazuslongtoenail · 13/02/2024 21:30

I have, but my to-be immediate boss knew, the owner, CEO and senior team didn’t.

I started when I was 6 months pregnant, they found out in the first week and they were fine. And they paid me in full despite only being entitled to maternity allowance.

Probably a rarity to have that good result unfortunately.

Yummymummy2020 · 13/02/2024 21:31

Don’t worry op I did the same. Actually in my case it took two years to be offered the job and I got pregnant in between. I felt a bit off about it but equally it would be unfair to expect me to have waited not knowing if I would ever be offered a job. All was fine and although I’m sure it was frowned upon nothing was said to me😂 in my old job, a girl started pregnant and was on maternity a month later, also nothing said. It happens a ton!!!

Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 14/02/2024 21:58

As an Hr professional I’ve come across this situation a few times- it’s not great timing but as others have said, pregnancy is a protected characteristic so don’t worry.
ive had someone go off on Mat leave 3 months after starting so their probation period was paused until they returned. It’s still so early and a lot of people wouldn’t necessarily even know they were pregnant/wouldn’t normally tell employer this early so I say go for it.
ps congratulations!

Cowboybuilderwoes · 14/02/2024 22:01

Boomer84 · 13/02/2024 18:24

I’d say it’s poor consideration towards the employer personally

Ridiculous. Ignore this OP

Aprilx · 15/02/2024 08:29

Boomer84 · 13/02/2024 18:24

I’d say it’s poor consideration towards the employer personally

Well you should reconsider your attitude and perhaps brush up on employment law. We have hard fought for laws in place to ensure that women are not treated unfavourably versus men and indeed women that are not pregnant. So it is no more inconsiderate than a man whose partner is seven weeks pregnant to interview for a job

Guttedme · 15/02/2024 13:20

I can feel for you. I went to an interview understanding surgery was months away and its outcome I'll not know for weeks anyway, I just badly remember there was a question about health during the actual interview and the offer was subject to medical pass so I could end up losing out. A really difficult position. No idea what to say.