Update- got the job, pregnant, what would you do?

[knittingmama]

I can't believe it but I got my dream job! I applied 2 months ago and thought it wasn't going to happen- so dh and I didn't stop ttc. Got a positive preg test the same day I got the invitation to interview, last week. The post is full time in a less family friendly organisation than I'm in now, plus at the moment I'm part time. DD is 20 mos. I think I am ok with going ft for 8 mos... But as I'm pregnant I worry about how others will view the situation and how well I do my job ( with feeling ill / tired ). Also I will have a great deal more responsibility than my current job, with managerial responsibilities. ( I have some now but not really much to stress over) Also one of the applicants was an assistant who acted up- the person who was in 'my' post left 2 mos ago and wasn't well liked. Complicated isn't it! Anyway I have to tell them by Monday and I'm agonizing- is it worth giving up friendly part time job? I've always wanted to be a really hands on mum but jobs in my field only come up once a year in this region! Even less, actually, think it's been more than that since I've seen anything. What would you do?

OK, fast forward 18 months. You now have a three year-old and a new baby. You've just finished your maternity leave and you're about to go back to work. Do you think at this stage you will be able to handle a fulltime job, high-level job (which will mean you will see very little of your family, presumably), or would you be happier in your friendly parttime job.

Also, if you are already preganant, before you start the job, you will not qualify for statutory maternity pay and you will have to claim maternity allowance instead.

I think you're perfeclty entitled to take the job. You are legally obligated to tell your employer you are pregnant until you are 15 weeks gestation.

Also, to qualify for SMP, you have to have worked the company for 26 weeks continuous employment before youplan to take your mat leave - so if under 10 weeks and say planned to take you mat leave at 36 weeks - you'd have worked those 26 weeks and would get Statutory pay as opposed to Maternity allowance through JCP.

At least that's my understanding.

I have an employment issue at the moment and I've been pointed in the direct of FloweryBeanBag - it seems she's the lady to consult on employment issues, so I'd way for her input and she what she has to say on the matter..

Hope that's helpful!

way = wait..

Duh, I literally just got up so I'm not yet working properly ;]

Also,

You are not legally obligated* and direct = direction..

Oh jebus..

YoureInMySystemBaby sorry, you have got that wrong. You have to have 26 weeks service at the Qualifying Week, which is fifteen weeks before the baby is due. 26+15=41, so if you are pregnant before you start the job, you will not qualify for SMP and will have to apply for MA instead here

Yeah you can start job and be pregnant one week later and get SMP lol

Juneybean - yes you can! I did, but the op has said she knew she was pg the day she got the invitation for the interview, so there is no way she is going to qualify. I just wanted her to be aware, that's all.

Thanks for this info, I have had a look at MA and it seems like what I would have to apply for. I would have never known that without finding it out here- you guys are great. I'm going to post this over in 'back to work', as I need to make a decision by tomorrow morning and I'm agonising over it...