If I'm 4.5 months pregnant & employed, is it a good idea to apply for a new job?

[questions2008]

I'm currently 17w3d pregnant (first baby) and currently working full-time. I started current job before I became pregnant. It's not a career job, iykwim. I initially took it thinking it would be financially rewarding as it is commission based, but market has really died so not working out in that way.

To be honest, if I wasn't pregnant I'd be looking for another job but I haven't been because I assumed that no-one would want to employ a pregnant woman with 6-12 months maternity leave coming up?

The thing is, I have seen a vacancy that would be ideal for me and is really something I could develop a career in. Is there any point in me applying? Is there anything I should be aware of before considering such a move, in terms of my maternity leave etc? Or should I just wait it out til I have my baby and finish maternity leave before thinking of a career change?

TIA!

In my job you have to have worked for my employer for 6 months there before you get the "bonus" maternity pay (above SMP). I don't know, though - if you see the perfect job part of me thinks you should always apply and see what happens. It's a tough one!

there's no bonus maternity pay where I currently work, so I would just get the standard rate.

i would really like to apply, but scared they will turn me down now and which will later affect my chances of reapplying?

Hi

I applied for a job when I was 4 months pregnanat (baby is now 1 year old). I went for the interview and was offered the post on the day. I then let them know I was pregnant and said that I wanted them to know that and to be happy with that prior to me accepting the offer. They said that they were happy and I then accepted the post.

I have since had a bad experience with that job and have resigned and left this week. I found it really hard to settle into a new job while I was pregnant - I was only there three months and then went on maternity leave. I went back to work when she was 5 months old and again found it really hard to settle in. I think that returning to work is probably hard enough after having a baby anyway without the pressure of it being ultimately a new job when you get back.

This is just my experience and I don't want to put you off, but thought I would share my experience.

I don't think you should be scared of applying, if they offer you the job it should be on your merits not the fact that you are pregnant. Not sure on the HR side, but I would probably not tell them until they offer you the post.

Good luck with it.

If you've seen a job you want, apply for it. You don't have anything to lose.

If you can avoid telling them about your pregnancy unless and until you have been offered the job, then great. But if you are showing and can't really conceal it, go for it anyway. They can't discriminate and not offer you the job because you are pregnant, although i appreciate the reality that they might be reluctant to offer it to you.

I don't see that it would harm your chances of applying later at all.

If you start a new job now you won't be entitled to SMP, so you would only get Maternity Allowance, which is £117 or something, for 39 weeks, rather than the first 6 weeks at 90% of salary.

Only other issue to bear in mind is the current economic situation, you may be more secure in an existing job than a new one.

The leaflet I was given about pregnancy and work says that to get SMP you must have been employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the baby is due and earn at least enough to be relevant for National Insurance purposes. So I guess that works out as you would have to be employed by them around the time you got pregnant.