Possible chance of Promotion, Pregnant but they don't know yet

Glamazon

Hi

My manager told me that she had enquired about a job and had been told they were really keen to receive her application. I know she could do this job and will probably get it.

I am in line for the next promotion althou won't hold my breath as they've ruled me out in the past even after saying the job was mine!

I am 11 weeks pg and just wondered what people thought I should do if they offered me the job. Should I accept and then after a few weeks tell them I'm pg? OR, be honest tell them first and see if they still offer it to me?!

I am the best candidate and I know that last time I was new in the post so they didn't know what I was capable of but do know.

Your opinion would be appreciated.

Thanks Glam

456789

If you think that telling them will reduce your chances of not getting the position then don't tell them - though later on when they find out they may withdraw the offer....:(

Glamazon

456789 wrote: »

If you think that telling them will reduce your chances of not getting the position then don't tell them - though later on when they find out they may withdraw the offer....:(

Thanks but can they do that?! I thought that being pregnant means you have the same chances as everyone else so if I get the offer can they retract it because I'm pg?

annie-c

It is unlawful for them to ask if you are pregnant or to discriminate unfairly once you are employed because of it. If you tell them, that is your choice but you cannot know how it might affect their decision making.

cannyscot_2

They can't withdraw if you are prgenant. Basically yes you have the same right as everyone and you do not have to say you are pregnant. The problem comes in how much they might be upset about it and how much grief you might get day to day? I did this and did take a fair bit of stick because of it but I still believe I was right to do it. This was a few years ago and I thinkdepending on the size of the organisation things have got better. Size is a factor -the smaller the co then the more likley you get grief.-although they will play it by the book in case you take them to a tribunal. I'm the manager now and I undertsand why. I as a woman feel empathetic to pregnant employees and want to do the best for them but it is disruptive and becasue of long maternity leave now ie they cam take either 2 weeks or 52 you are left hanging a bit unsure how best to cover the leave.

Calvinandhobbs

456789 wrote: »

If you think that telling them will reduce your chances of not getting the position then don't tell them - though later on when they find out they may withdraw the offer....:(

They can't legally withdraw the offer once they find out you're pregnant, that would be discrimination for pregnancy related grounds, therefore sexual discrim. It is your decision, you can either not tell them, hopefully get the job, do it until your leave commences (and if you are going back after), OR tell them, but lets be realistic (as a fellow pregnant employee, also not told boss yet! Even though I am an HR mgr:D )you are not likely to get the position, which you possibly can understand why.


I deliberately haven't told them yet as I wanted my payrise and some extra training funding approved first (bit sneeky I know). As a fellow worker, I suppose the argument is "yes, you should be honest, you are preventing someone else, etc etc", HOWEVER, this is about you and your growing family, this will be extra money and a better job to return to, if you are going back. You have a right not to be discriminated against, but you are less likely to get promotion if they know, personally I wouldn't tell them, you have the same right to try for that job as anyone else. If you don't take it and someone else does, then they might resign or also get pregnant after a couple of months, so the Company is no worse off! (well that's what I would tell myself to appease my nagging conscience:D )


Good luck btw and congrats :T

MRS_TO_BE_2

DONT tell them. At least then if you dont get you will know it wasn't because they knew you were pregnant.

If they offer you it and you accept and they later withdraw it they would have to have very very good reasons and cant use your pregnancy.

Glamazon

Thank you all.

The company has about 120 employees over 14 sites, I manage my site but this promotion would be to regional manager.

I wasn't planning on telling them until after April payrises had been done as I wanted to see how much they value me without the pg black cloud hanging over their heads. Problem is I will be about 16 weeks then and am already showing a bit. My employers has been to about 3 tribunals in the last year as they have got rid of people or don't pay them leave owing to them and stuff so I know to get everythign in writing from them.

I know I wouldn't be preventing anyone else as I know that no-one else would go for it - they have recently internally promoted a manager and regional manager without advertising which myself and another manager are currently disputing as she wanted to transfer to the other managers job and I wanted the opportunity to go for the RM.

I will def be going back to work but my mat leave will depend on whether I get any extra to SMP as their policy is very vague and I will be the first manager to go off on mat leave.

Thanks for your advice - Calvin come and join us on the pregnancy thread

KME91

From the direct.gov website:

You must tell your employer that you're pregnant at least 15 weeks before the beginning of the week when your baby's due. If this isn’t possible, for example because you didn’t realise you were pregnant, you must tell your employer as soon as possible. You should also tell them when you want to start your maternity leave and receive Statutory Maternity Pay.
However, it's a good idea to tell your employer earlier, because it will let them plan around your maternity leave and carry out their legal obligations to you. This is particularly important if there are any health and safety issues. You cannot take paid time off for ante-natal appointments until you have told your employer you are pregnant.

If you can meet all these criteria and delay notifying your employer until after you're confirmed as getting the promotion then that seems to me to be the sensible approach.

pinkshoes

As a female, I would not put myself up for a promotion if I knew I was pregnant, as I feel it's really unfair on the company and other candidates. Just a few months into the job (i.e. when you're fully trained) you'll be leaving for 6 to 9 months!!

I know companies are not allowed to discriminate against anyone pregnant, but morally I think it's wrong. By all means have a career and a family, but think about the needs of the company too. Perhaps there are some people who will resent you if you get this position then announce you're pregnant? Then who would take over when you were on maternity leave? One of the other candidates who didn't get it?? What happens when you come back?

Just make sure you've thought this through thoroughly!

Marcheline

Don't tell them and go for the promotion. I can understand pinkshoes point of view, but if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't mention it and see what happens.