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Pregnant and new job

Can anyone please advise?

I have been offered a new job and will be 24 weeks pregnant when I start. When should I tell them that I am pregnant?? I have checked direct.gov and it says 'at least 15 weeks before the expected due date.' But I am worried that they may sack me as that means that I will be required to inform them just a week after I start. I only plan to take 2 weeks maternity leave - of course not paid as I wouldn't have been around long enough. But do you think that this would give them any reason to dismiss me?

Any advice appreciated. :)
Starting out on a DMP
~ Capital One: £6300 ~ Sainsbury's: £199 ~ Natwest: £9400 ~ Halifax: £3500
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Comments

  • themull1
    themull1 Posts: 4,299 Forumite
    Were you pregnant when you went for the interview? if it was me as a business, i wouldn't be very happy about the fact that a new member of staff was instantly going to go on maternity leave.!!
  • poorgrad
    poorgrad Posts: 101 Forumite
    edited 3 November 2010 at 8:54PM
    Yes I was pregnant at the interview. If I have to take the two weeks as holiday instead of unpaid maternity leave then I will. All of my appointments are booked outside of work hours so they will not interfere with my job. What I really want to know is, is it grounds for dismissal?

    EDIT: - plus I intend to work up until my due date
    Starting out on a DMP
    ~ Capital One: £6300 ~ Sainsbury's: £199 ~ Natwest: £9400 ~ Halifax: £3500
  • Hmm are you sure two weeks is realistic?
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    poorgrad wrote: »
    Yes I was pregnant at the interview. If I have to take the two weeks as holiday instead of unpaid maternity leave then I will. All of my appointments are booked outside of work hours so they will not interfere with my job. What I really want to know is, is it grounds for dismissal?

    EDIT: - plus I intend to work up until my due date

    No, it is not grounds for dismissal, but your relationship with your managers is likely to be shot.

    Are you really only planning to take two weeks off?
    Gone ... or have I?
  • themull1
    themull1 Posts: 4,299 Forumite
    what if the baby was ill? and you had to stay off longer?
  • themull1
    themull1 Posts: 4,299 Forumite
    Or you went two weeks over your due date and had used up your holiday before you gave birth?
  • poorgrad
    poorgrad Posts: 101 Forumite
    I really do only plan to take two weeks. I can't afford to take too much time off. I need to be earning money. The position is part-time so going back so soon is not likely to be a problem. Plus I have a great support network around me to help out.

    Would you suggest I tell them before my start date??
    Starting out on a DMP
    ~ Capital One: £6300 ~ Sainsbury's: £199 ~ Natwest: £9400 ~ Halifax: £3500
  • I would definitely get it out of the way sooner rather than later. It sounds like it would be pretty visible soon anyway
  • You do need to tell them by week 25 of pregnancy. They cannot sack you for being pregnant - they may make up another reason though. You are not allowed to work for 2 weeks after the birth - and I think this is by law but I'm not certain.

    All the best and I hope they are nice to you
  • williacg
    williacg Posts: 707 Forumite
    I think I too would have to notify them, sooner rather than later, either way they're going to feel put out, but leaving it to the last minute might wind them up even further, and putting it off will just cause you further stress.
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