Accepted a new job but discovered Im pregnant??

PJ9506

So, I finally am getting back to work after a few traumatic years and its a job I have always wanted to do :j:j I have to attend a course but have been offered a post providing I pass it.

However, the day after I was offered and verbally accepted the job I found out that we are pregnant and believe due around Christmas although this needs to be confirmed by a scan later on. I will be passed the crucial 12 weeks stage once the course has finished. I have yet to sign the contract, which will come before I start the course mid May, and am a little concerned because the job itself (although the course I am not sure about too much but my partner doesn't remember any heavy lifting having done it a few years back) is quite physical and involves lifting people. My partner already works for the same employer doing the same job (in a different area) and thinks I should be safe completing the course and getting that under my belt before telling them but I am a very honest and open person and it scares me to think I have to keep quiet for fear of losing out on the chance of doing what I want to do. I see his point and sometimes I am too honest for my own good which has led to me missing out on things and I really do want this job... It was obviously unplanned but is not unwanted and had I of known I wouldn't have applied in the first place... In fact, when I applied I wasn't!

The plan is for me to sign the contract first and foremost. Further ahead, he is going to take the 6 months paternity leave as he has been with them for many years and with me just starting, I will not be entitled to much having just returned to work so I will be off as little time as necessary before returning to work early next year providing everything goes the way it's supposed to of course.

We just don't know what to do for the best and what our options are. He can't ask advice from anyone for fear of letting the cat out of the bag either as all of his colleagues locally know I've just been accepted for the job too so we are stuck on what to do, have no one to speak to unofficially and I'm getting a little stressed about it all, which isn't helping my over active hormones!! Any advice please?

Takeaway_Addict

Don't tell them till you have to...though don't expect them to be happy.

zeddicus

i was in the same position as you back in 2007 i got a job and the day before i started i found out i was pregnant i told my boss straight away and was told ok we can't take the job back so you can still start but you will not be entilled to maternaty pay. which i checked with c.a.b and was told he was correct. so good luck to you on your new job

thegirlintheattic

I'd be honest and upfront to start with. If you start working for them holding something back, it is likely to blot your copy book for the rest of your employment.

Ask to speak to the boss (or your line manager to be), say it's still early but thought they should know. You'd be happy to do the course if possible, and you'd want to continue with the job after the baby is born. For a start they will need to risk assess the course for you, and can't do that if they don't know.

pinkshoes

The same happened to me in 2010 - I was offered a job, then the next day I found out I was pregnant (total surprise - was on pill!).

I decided to turn the job down as I wouldn't be entitled to maternity pay, and I felt it wasn't really fair on the company for me to disappear from the project for a year after just 6 months working for them.

an9i77

I was offered a job (was already working there as a temp) and found out I was pregnant two days later, totally unplanned. The job was permanent and I needed it so I took it. I waited until the ink was dry on my contract, and a few weeks later told them as I had a lot of medical appointments due to my pregnancy.

My boss couldn't have been nicer about it and I never felt it was a problem. Its life. $h1t happens.

PJ9506

Thank you all for your advice, I will show my other half your responses and see where it gets me!!! . It's nice to know its not just me who suffers with bad timing:embarasse: