Facing Redundancy at 23 weeks pregnant

Dobberslittlesister

A couple of weeks ago we were told by the end of November/start of December, our department was going to have to look at redundancies. I have been with the company for less than 2 years and truly believe I will be one of the first to go and financially we cannot afford for me to be out of work.

I therefore began applying for jobs and last week was offered a position within a small company, on more money, but less holidays. They do not know I'm pregnant and the date of my 'Notification of Pregnancy' is fast looming.

Do I tell my prospective new employer now, on my Notification of pregnancy date or once I start, what my situation is?

Any other advice is welcome.
Thanks

honeypop

You can tell them when you like as long as it is by the notification date, there is nothing to say you HAVE to tell them sooner. However, you may like to tell them before that date, just to be open and honest with them. They can't change the job offer but they will have more time to make plans for cover while you are on maternity leave and also they will probably feel a bit better with you telling them at the first opportunity rather than 'hiding' it until the notification date.

I started a new job at about 16 weeks pregnant following redundancy. I notified the new employers after I had been there a couple of weeks and was sure that was where I wanted to stay. They were fine and said I was the best person for the job and that was why they hired me, being pregnant didn't change how good at the job I was. As it was out in the open, there were no problems taking time off for the various appointments needed (which you new employer would need to give you paid time off for, so the sooner they know the easier it will be).

Also, you being 23 weeks gone, do you think they may have realised anyway and just not said anything? Obviously you may not be showing much, but if they've guessed and you don't say anything, they may think it's a bit odd.

Willsnarf1983

honeypop wrote: »

You can tell them when you like as long as it is by the notification date, there is nothing to say you HAVE to tell them sooner. However, you may like to tell them before that date, just to be open and honest with them. They can't change the job offer but they will have more time to make plans for cover while you are on maternity leave and also they will probably feel a bit better with you telling them at the first opportunity rather than 'hiding' it until the notification date.

I started a new job at about 16 weeks pregnant following redundancy. I notified the new employers after I had been there a couple of weeks and was sure that was where I wanted to stay. They were fine and said I was the best person for the job and that was why they hired me, being pregnant didn't change how good at the job I was. As it was out in the open, there were no problems taking time off for the various appointments needed (which you new employer would need to give you paid time off for, so the sooner they know the easier it will be).

Also, you being 23 weeks gone, do you think they may have realised anyway and just not said anything? Obviously you may not be showing much, but if they've guessed and you don't say anything, they may think it's a bit odd.

Firstly does anyone not think that its poor form to goto a new employer and stuff them for a further 9-12 months with added costs and not actually have given much to the company before?

Also for my information does pregnancy appointments come under a differant catergory to medical appointments where the employer doesn't have to pay for the time taken to attend these appointments (but they do have to give the time off)

Will

honeypop

Willsnarf1983 wrote: »

Firstly does anyone not think that its poor form to goto a new employer and stuff them for a further 9-12 months with added costs and not actually have given much to the company before?

Legally you don't have to tell your employer until (I think) the 15th weeks before the due date, poor form or not that's the law. In the case of redundancy, you have no choice but to go to a new employer. My employer were not bothered I was going on maternity leave as long term I was the best person for the job, nor have they incurred extra costs because of it. They don't pay the maternity pay, the government do, what they are paying for my cover person is what they are saving by not paying me during this time.

What should I have done when made redundant? Claimed benefits instead of getting a new job?

Willsnarf1983 wrote: »

Also for my information does pregnancy appointments come under a differant catergory to medical appointments where the employer doesn't have to pay for the time taken to attend these appointments (but they do have to give the time off)

Yes they are different, pregnant ladies are entitled to paid time off for ante-natal appointments and care.

From the Direct.gov website:

Time off for antenatal care

All pregnant employees, however long they have been in their jobs, are entitled to reasonable time off work for antenatal care. Any time off must be paid at your normal rate of pay. It is unlawful for your employer to refuse to give you reasonable time off for ante-natal care or to pay you at your normal rate of pay.

And as far as I am aware - someone correct me if I am wrong as I found the info on this website - then your employer doesn't actually have to give you time off for medical appointments (nor pay for it if they do) unless covered by the DDA.