Finding a new job whilst pregnant??

[Kerelene]

Hi ladies

Have just been informed I am being made redundant at end of May and am expecting my 2nd child in November all being well.

Can anyone give me advice about finding another job? Will anyone take me on given that I would be going on maternity leave so soon after starting? Would I mention it at interview stage? When is the best time to mention it?

And if I can't find another job, how much benefit will I get? - my husband works full time (but living in London one wage doesn't go far of course.)

Grateful for any advice as I am reeling a bit and worried about what us going to happen...

You may actually find companies are more likely to feel they have to take you on if pregnant to avoid being taken to court for sexual discrimination. I was about 5 months pregnant (and showing) when I got my current job. I didn't mention it at interview and when I was told that I had the job, the head of the interview panel told me only about half of them had noticed.
Benefits when on maternity leave can be a little complicated but your local job centre should be able to help you. It's unfortunate they are not delaying your redundancy a bit as if you were still working there at your qualifying week, they would have to pay you maternity pay.

Thanks, that's useful. Did you find it hard to get into the job knowing you only had a few months before going on mat leave? Didn't they mind having to re-advertise and re-appoint so so after appointing you? Was it hard when you went back having been there such a short time before you went on leave? Sorry for all the questions...

Have been reading about benefits on the DWP website and it's so complicated, I think I will have to visit the CAB and see if they can help me weigh up my options.

It was a slightly unusual situation as it was a rotational training post and they had more vacancies than suitable applicants so one less person wasn't too much of a problem. I did end up being messed around in that I was due to go to my new job at the beginning of my 29th week and with less than a week to go they refused to have me as it would have meant paying all my maternity pay for only a few weeks work so I ended up going on mat leave earlier than planned at 29 weeks with my old employer paying my maternity pay. It worked out as both employers were part of the NHS. Going back was therefore just like starting a new job so no real problems other than what you would expect having been away from work for so long. Hope this helps and good luck with it all

I'm afraid I've really struggled to get another job while PG (though I've been given EVERY single interview - so companies do obviously cover their backs!)

I've only had one really bad experience - where I basically got offered the job, said I was PG and the guy just never called me back or returned any of my calls. T*sser. I'd rather not work to someone who acts like that!

If you've worked for 26 of the lasat 66 weeks, you will be able to claim maternity allowance (whether or not you are currently working) and, if you've earned more than a certain amount for 13 weeks, you get £114 per week. Not great, but a better than a kick!

It's really easy to claim.

Oh, and you can claim MA for 40 weeks.

Thanks ladies for your responses. Youcannotbeserious, did the companies you applied to know that you were pregnant? Did you mention it in your applications?
Did you find a job in the end?

the first job I went for, I didn't mention I was PG until he'd offered me the job. I then told him and ZAP! NOTHING! Haven't heard from him since (though, annoyingly, he's put up an advert round the corner from my house! ). I was really annoyed as it was such a perfect job, but he obviously took advice that if he just ignored me, that couldn't be construed as anything else? Not sure.

After that, yes, I've been honest about being PG... I've always got an interview but never got any further. I swear one place I went, they had the 'thanks but no thanks' e-mail out before I'd left the building.

No, I haven't got a job sorted. I'm planning on taking maternity allowance now and try and get something sorted for later in the year.....

it really has opened my eyes though, I honestly didn't think people really changed their views so much. But, I'm an industrial chemist, work in a very male dominated industry and my PG WOULD mean I wouldn't be able to work with certain chemicals........

Hope you fare better than me!

Sorry, Kerlene....

I should have said: I am working at the moment (on contract, which was cancelled when I told them I was PG) so I AM working up until the birth of my baby.

Sadly, this does mean I'm not able to take early maternity leave as I rather need the money

I struggled a bit to get a job whilst pregnant, but initially I was being approached about 3-4 month contracts, so I felt obliged to say "well yes I am available for 4 months but ... " and never heard from the agents again.

However, I interviewed at 28 weeks pregnant (no hiding that) and was offered the job - that was the NHS. I kind of felt no-one else would have hired me at that stage but maybe that's unfair. I did get 'off the record' feedback from my old company that they wouldn't take someone pregnant on unless they were head and shoulders above the other candidates.

Your situation sounds difficult, especially if you can't work with certain chemicals.

In a way I can understand employers not wanting to take on someone who is PG and will be going on leave soon after as it means they will have to re-recruit, and this can be expensive and difficult for small voluntary sector companies with limited capacity, like the one I work for now. But I guess it varies from sector to sector.

I can see it from their POV but it doesn't help women in our situation!

I guess you could keep quiet and wait until being offered a job and signing the contract before telling an employer you're PG, to avoid what happened to you with that other job. But I would feel very deceptive doing that and it's not a great way to start a working relationship!

No, I don't think that would work for most places... If I'd waited to tell the employer about my pregnancy until AFTER I'd signed the contract, I can't imagine the working environment, I think he'd have been pretty ticked off (though to be fair, that was as an administrator - nothing to do with chemicals)

Don't mention it. Employers can't discriminate against you if you are pregnant but I went for a job when I was pregnant and didn't get the job. I have since found out that they gave the job to someone with no relevant experience despite the job description stating that they had to have 2 years in the relevant area. I had 6 years experience. They told me that she had given better answers and was a stronger candidate. There is a 3 month limit on taking an employer to court but since I didn't know about the person that they took on experience until recently, the limit has lapsed and I am powerless to act. The Equal Opprtunities Commission has merged but google it, read your rights and act on them if you are discrimnated against. I haven't been able to get a job since as I live in a very rural area and am therefore thousands of pounds out of pocket.