Would appreciate opinions on this please

[Zingzilla]

Hello

I'd really appreciate your views on this please.

I've just found out I have got a job I applied for - this is an internal position at work, and I am very pleased about this - and thoroughly deserve the promotion. The issue is I am also 11 weeks pregnant and nobody knows.

I didn't want to tell anyone whilst applying for the job for the obvious reason that it could jeapordise my chances, and also because I have not yet had a scan and have a history of miscarriage and would rather people didn't know at work until I have some reassurance the pregnancy is OK.

I fully intend to return to work on my current terms after maternity leave. As I say, I really do deserve the promotion too and have worked hard for the same employer for over 5 years.

But - I feel bad about this situation. Shortly after accepting the job I will be saying that I am pregnant and will be going on ML.

Should I feel bad about this? I really do not want to turn the job down as my career is important to me, and believe (and have been told) I was the best candidate for it.

Anyone else been in a similar situation?

Don't feel bad.

Yes, it's not ideal timing for them. But they could hire someone external who doesn't pass probation, they could promote someone who leaves soon after, etc, etc.

On the other hand, maybe you'll work there for 20 years.

Do you see my point? Maternity leave is just one of a million things that could happen. Particularly if you are a long term valued employee before and after,they've nothing to complain about. Most good employers see that.

Congratulations on your promotion and your pregnancy! Don't feel bad at all, you got the job fair and square and you are entitled to all normal maternity leave benefits.

I echo the sentiments already expressed - you deserve the job, you have worked for them for a long time and will in all likelihood be a valuable member of their staff for a long time to come. Any sensible employer would move mountains to keep an employee like you and will not worry about a few months off for maternity leave.

Also you are only 11 weeks at the moment so a long time to go before you go on maternity leave - a lot of time for you to get settled in job, make your mark and prepare the way for a temp to keep things going in your absence. I am sure you will do everything you can to make the handover as painless as possible for your employer, you sound like a really conscientious person.

To digress a bit, this is exactly the same situation that is playing out at the moment in Desperate Housewives on the box, for Lynn Scavo. i was quite shocked watching that to see that the accepted wisdom in the US seems to be that she was wrong and deceitful to accept a job she richly deserved when she had just found out she was pregnant. I am sure that most people in the UK would definitely not feel this way. Anyone from the US have any views on this? I believe standard maternity leave in the US is ust 6 weeks so there is definitely not a parent-friendly culture there.

I had a similar situation though not a promotion a move to a new team whilst being hideously sick 7 or 8 times a day was only 6 weeks pregnant I told my new manager early I.e. Before my 12 week scan as I didn't want him to think I was a drunk with hangover perm as looked like xrap as well! There is absolutely nothing they can do! Accept the promotion and make your mark! Congrates onthe pregnancy and promotion!