Starting a new job and Pregnancy - Advice Needed

samandona

Plans : Thanks. Its reassuring to know that someone else has done the same as I will be and come out of it the other side!

Pee : Right now, I have very little choice. Time is ticking. You can already tell I'm pregnant, and the reality is people dont want to employ pregnant ladies. I have already had to leave one job after just 2 weeks. It involved alot of late nights and I just couldnt function so had to tell my boss who said she wouldnt be able to keep me on. I didnt argue and left.
As for going back to work - if i am contractually oblidged, then i would have to return after i have my baby. However, I have a significantly higher earning potential than my partner so if it comes to the point where one of us has to work while the other stays at home, then it will be me working simply because I can earn 2-3 times his wage at the moment. Atleast. However, as I have just finished my degree (I am yet to graduate), I need to take any full time job I can get. I have bills to pay and get horrendously bored being sat at home on my own. Employment is for my own sanity as much as anything else.

iamana1ias

Bear in mind that they can get rid of you at any point within the first 12 months of employment without having to give a reason (provided it's not purely due to your pregnancy). Getting and taking the job doesn't guarantee you'll get to keep it

samandona

iamana1ias wrote: »

Bear in mind that they can get rid of you at any point within the first 12 months of employment without having to give a reason (provided it's not purely due to your pregnancy). Getting and taking the job doesn't guarantee you'll get to keep it

My pregnancy can't have anything to do with them terminating my employment. But yes, this is true. However, if they sack me I will not have to pay for any training they have given as it is them who have terminated the employment.

Not sure what your comment has to do with my original post though

iamana1ias

samandona wrote: »

My pregnancy can't have anything to do with them terminating my employment. But yes, this is true. However, if they sack me I will not have to pay for any training they have given as it is them who have terminated the employment.

Not sure what your comment has to do with my original post though

Erm, you were talking long term (only being able to work 5 months out of 17) and someone mentioned them having to keep your job open.

Just wanted you to be aware that it wouldn't be difficult for them to find a reason to get rid of you once they became aware of your pregnancy. It would be different if you'd been there more than 12 months, but I suppose you'd have no need for the OP if you had!

Plans_all_plans

Hi again OP, you have no choice but to take the job as far as I can see (except to throw yourself entirely on the mercy of the state) so I think you should take it and not tell them til you can't keep it secret any longer. At the very least, if it all went wrong and they sacked you, you'll get paid the months you've worked and qualify for mat allowance. Then when on maternity leave you can look for another job if necessary. I personally dont think it'll come to that though, but you're giving yourself more options by following your planned course of action.

summerday

Hi OP, I have no experience of this, but think you should go for the job. You're not doing anything illegal, you're trying to better yourself by working and you have a positive attitude about proving your worth to the company so they see you in a good light. I think that's all you can do- show how great you are and they will hopefully be pleased fro you when you announce your pg, especially if you make clear that you intend to return after mat leave.

Good luck hun.
Sarah

Wilma33

samandona wrote: »

You can already tell I'm pregnant...

How do they not know then?

mookiandco

I started a new job for which I was head hunted in August 2008 and fell pregnant 2 weeks later. I didnt say anything until I was about 8 weeks pregnant when they offered me a promotion. I think my priorities changed, as much as I wanted the promotion, I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy more and be upfront about it. I still got the promotion and everyone was very supportive.

I left work to go on annual leave at 39w. I went into labour the next day!

I returned to work after 4.5 months, slotted right back in where I left off, grabbed a 2K payrise, another promotion followed by another 2K payrise a month later! Things have a habit of working out and I feel that honesty pays dividends!

I'd take the job - you got it fair and square, dont let anyone ever make you feel like you have to apologise for being pregnant. Tell them when the time is right (your instincts will tell you when that time is but preferrably before you have an unmistakable bump and people start whispering in corners) and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! xx

samandona

Sarah - Thanks for your kind words. That is the attitude I'm trying to take. You're right in that I'm not doing anything wrong and I fully intend on taking the job. I am aware of all the concerns people have expressed so far so I think its just best to go for it.

Wilma - They don't know because I havn't told them. As long as I dont wear anything skin-tight I just look slightly fat rather than pregnant.

Glamazon

Sam - I would take the job BUT I would have been upfront about the pregnancy from the beginning. I went for a job interview at about 28 weeks, told them about the pregnancy when I enquired, put it on application form and was visibily pregnant when I went for interview. In my mind, if they felt I was the right person for the job they'd give me the job and wait for me to have the baby. They did and I started 3 weeks ago after being interviewed in June 09