Pregnant and new job

KiKi

Whilst I wouldn't tell them at interview, I would have told them on accepting the job, I think that's only fair.

But as someone else says: be realistic. Two weeks after giving birth I think is exceptionally soon. You will most likely be exhausted, tired, very hormonal and desperate not to leave your little one. Good on you for thinking of your employer, but six weeks might serve you better.

If it truly is only a few hours (fewer than 5 hours a week) then it might be fine, but I would be as honest as possible as soon as possible, once you can tell them how long you will be off, and how they can cover your work for that time. Offer them a solution to it so they can see you're being proactive in thinking it through.

Congratulations on the baby, and I hope you enjoy him / her!
KiKi

Debt_Robot

poorgrad wrote: »

Thanks for the congrats. I don't plan to take the mick at all with time off. The role is part-time and requires a couple of hours work a week which I feel is manageable to return to after 2 weeks. But I can totally see where you are coming from.

I am just concerned you are not being realistic with the time off. Does your boyfriend/partner/husband work? I hope you have a nice pregnancy but be wary about only telling your employers about 2 weeks off.

I am worried it is dicey. Can't you go on benefits or do you have savings to take some time off the first few months of pregnancy?

Uncertain

chuckley wrote: »

so basically, u went to an interview knowing u were pregnant and didn't tell them, have since been offered the job but will be 25 wks pregnant wen u start and u think u will 'only' take 2 weeks maternity (like seriously?!).

they will sack u using the 'probationary' excuse and quite frankly uve been dishonest by not disclosing ur status at the interview and then again when they offered u the job. not good for business.

from their point of view, uve shortchanged them.

Absolute rubbish!

I think this and a number of the other posts are insulting and quite disgraceful.

The OP was under no obligation whatsoever to tell the prospective employer. This is confirmed by the fact it would have been illegal for them to have asked any questions in this area.

If they make any attempt to dismiss her, for any reason connected with her pregnancy, they are (rightly) leaving themselves wide open to a claim and substantial damages.

If you don't agree with the law then write to your MP. Meanwhile brush up on your English so that they stand some chance of understanding your letter!

pinkshoes

I had a similar situation, and discovered I was pregnant just after being offered a new job. Personally I turned the job down and explained to them why (I felt it unfair on both me and them, as it wasn't a huge company). They appreciated my honesty, and I'm still in contact with them for a potential position next year.

I think your plan to work right up until the due date is crazy! I was as optimistic as you about working as late as possible, but at 37 weeks I was SO exhausted I had to admit defeat and go on maternity leave (and I've had an easy problem free pregnancy, and not so much as a swollen finger!)! As I'm now a week overdue, that means I've had 4 weeks off already, and possibly 5 if it doesn't show itself until 42 weeks (induction booked).

As for returning after 2 weeks, I think you're even more crazy and this is totally unrealistic. You really need to give your body time to recover, and time to get used to adjusting to being a mummy for the first time, and get into a feeding routine. I would say allow a minimum of 6 weeks (apparently baby crying in night will reach a peak at this point), possibly even 8 weeks.

Good luck!

AimeesMum_2

pinkshoes wrote: »

I had a similar situation, and discovered I was pregnant just after being offered a new job. Personally I turned the job down and explained to them why (I felt it unfair on both me and them, as it wasn't a huge company). They appreciated my honesty, and I'm still in contact with them for a potential position next year.

I think your plan to work right up until the due date is crazy! I was as optimistic as you about working as late as possible, but at 37 weeks I was SO exhausted I had to admit defeat and go on maternity leave (and I've had an easy problem free pregnancy, and not so much as a swollen finger!)! As I'm now a week overdue, that means I've had 4 weeks off already, and possibly 5 if it doesn't show itself until 42 weeks (induction booked).

As for returning after 2 weeks, I think you're even more crazy and this is totally unrealistic. You really need to give your body time to recover, and time to get used to adjusting to being a mummy for the first time, and get into a feeding routine. I would say allow a minimum of 6 weeks (apparently baby crying in night will reach a peak at this point), possibly even 8 weeks.

Good luck!

I completely agree. I am a second time Mum and due next week. I work in an office and therefore there is no standing and it's not particularly challenging physically but I just HAD to leave at 37 weeks. I couldn't cope anymore. And I could never have left my baby to return to work after she was born. I remember leaving her with her Dad for an hour while I went to get my haircut and I was in pieces.

Regardless of whether I agree you telling or not telling the employer...I don't think that you have realistically thought through the length of time that you will need off.

Oldernotwiser

Uncertain wrote: »

Absolute rubbish!

I think this and a number of the other posts are insulting and quite disgraceful.

The OP was under no obligation whatsoever to tell the prospective employer. This is confirmed by the fact it would have been illegal for them to have asked any questions in this area.

If they make any attempt to dismiss her, for any reason connected with her pregnancy, they are (rightly) leaving themselves wide open to a claim and substantial damages.

If you don't agree with the law then write to your MP. Meanwhile brush up on your English so that they stand some chance of understanding your letter!

I think that there's a difference between being legally allowed and morally right. I believe that this is particularly important when a company is behaving responsibly (as the OP states) as it's a slap in the face to have a future employee behave like this when the organisation is playing fair with her.

Savvy_Sue

While I agree that working up to the birth and going back two weeks later is completely unrealistic for a full-time job, the OP has said it's only a couple of hours a week.

And I think that makes a BIG difference.

I couldn't have gone back to a full-time job that fast, but I was doing my part-time stuff quite fast, after all 3 boys.

chuckley

Uncertain wrote: »

Absolute rubbish!

I think this and a number of the other posts are insulting and quite disgraceful.

The OP was under no obligation whatsoever to tell the prospective employer. This is confirmed by the fact it would have been illegal for them to have asked any questions in this area.

If they make any attempt to dismiss her, for any reason connected with her pregnancy, they are (rightly) leaving themselves wide open to a claim and substantial damages.

If you don't agree with the law then write to your MP. Meanwhile brush up on your English so that they stand some chance of understanding your letter!

u clearly didnt read my reply. i said they would sack her using the 'probationary' excuse.

of course they wouldnt ask her at the interview. but OP openly knew she was pregnant and decided not to tell them and is now worried about how/when to tell them having accepted the job!

ok the job is a few hours a week, but at the end of the day from the employers point of view they have been short changed. they never gave the job to someone they thought would go on maternity leave shortly after starting. Espesh as as OP claims they will 'just need' two weeks, when realistically it'l probably be more through no fault of her own of course.

clairec79

It does depend on the woman and her pregnancy as to how far she works, my last day of work was 38+1 (although I did cut down to less days towards the end) and could have worked longer (especially if I was only doing a few hours) and my work could be physically demanding at times (in fact am a midwife and delivered someone elses baby on my last day) but it was doable, baby is now 10 days old and physically I'd be capable of working

But after my third I did bleed heavily and would have worn me out to go back a few weeks after

AimeesMum_2

Claire, being a midwife surely you agree that you simply cannot plan ahead just a short time off work due to how different peoples labours are and how they cope with motherhood?