whooops. Advice really really urgently needed please!!!!

fawd1

Ok, I pretty much have a huge problem. I'm engaged to a wonderful wonderful man, we live together and I just started a new job that is great. However (and it is a big however), I just found out today that I'm pregnant. Which is scary as hell in many many ways, but primarily financially. I haven't been given my contract yet to sign at work ( I only started 2 days ago- had NO CLUE I was pregnant, thought I'd check today because I kept on dry retching yesterday. Nice), and whilst I know that you are entitled to maternity leave from day one of starting work elsewhere, without a contract , I 'm screwed. So, do I not tell this very nice man who has given me an opportunity until the contract is signed, or do I fess up and risk losing my job, with very little hope of being given another one?

simpywimpy

Personally I'd keep quiet for the first few weeks and see how you go. My DIL has just been given notice for the same thing because she was still on trial they let her go

ailuro2

it's traditional and, sadly, practical to wait until the first scan has been done to know that everything is fine before you tell anyone other than your closest family/friends.

I'd wait a few weeks anyway, you're right, they might think you knew already.

Congratulations, anyway! It will work out whatever happens.:D

I remember being shocked and stunned and felt like I'd been shot when I saw those two blue line.

10 years on I'd not swop anything!

fawd1

Thanks so much guys. I very much feel like I've been shot, although I'm sure I'll start looking forward to it. My real worry is that this is a very nice man and I don't want him to feel like I abused his kindness at all. Practically, even if he kept me on but resented it, it would be horrible, as it's virtually a 2 person office.

wifeforlife

:j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j

First of all Congratulations!

Big shock but obviously meant to be for you and your partner

If it was me I'd keep quiet until you get a contract and tell them nearer the 12week mark

I'd ask for the contract every morning until I got it, it's definately an important issue especially now

Cate

Stephb1986_2

congratulations im sure it will all work out!

Steph xx

sismith42

Congratulations on the job and the bump!

But... why did you start working without a signed contract...? (definately keep quiet about the bump as long as possible-- you only have to tell them legally at 15 weeks before your due date!, and keep pestering about the paperwork!)

S

fawd1

thanks all. I only started working without a signed contract as this is such a tiny company and it all happened very quickly (literally five days notice-not a problem then as I was temping) I fully expected to have a signed contract by the end of this week, but I'm feeling like it would be very deceitful of me to keep this info to myself now I know, especially as he went through an agency to find me, so has had to pay a hefty fee. What if I said I'd accept being given maternity leave but not maternity pay? do you think that might soften the blow somewhat? plus, it's a very portable job,I could do it on any computer and with a phone to hand, so I could feasibly be doing it at home for a couple of hours a day at least. I have a great support network, so if I needed a couple of hours a day I would get it.

silvercar

I would just claim to be telling your boss as soon as you found out yourself.....in a few weeks time. That way he will think you have been honest and you will have a contract.

What if I said I'd accept being given maternity leave but not maternity pay?

No, not fair to you or your baby. Also AFAIK your boss can claim back the statutory element of maternity pay.

it's a very portable job,I could do it on any computer and with a phone to hand, so I could feasibly be doing it at home for a couple of hours a day at least. I have a great support network, so if I needed a couple of hours a day I would get it

Hopefully your boss will appreciate that and you will be able to keep your hand in. win, win.

whatatwit

From the other side of the fence, speaking as an employer who runs a small business, I'd feel conned.
Do you know how far along you are, if you are 'only just' pregnant, then you may be able to fool your boss that you did not know when you started work. Obviously, if you are a few weeks pregnant, then this may become a problem in the future, especially if you want to return after maternity leave.

Personally, if it was a big company with hundreds of employees, then I wouldn't bother informing them until later on, but as it appears to be a small business then I would confide in my new boss.

Congratulations and good luck.....what does the dad to be think of the news?

Pink_Princess_1

To qualify for SMP you must have been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the week the baby is due. You wont qualify for this but you might be able to get Maternity Allowance instead:p

Congratulations by the way