Pregnant and been offered a job help

Vix125

I have just found out that I am 6 weeks pregnant and have just been offered a job to start next week. If someone could post some advice as I don't know where I stand do I need to tell the employer before starting the job can I wait until I'm 12 weeks then tell them or what

Acc72

Firstly, congratulations.

Have a look on the employment board, there have been a couple of similar threads in recent months.

Legally - in order to receive maternity benefits you need to inform your employer in or before the 15th week before your due date.

I am sure there will be other opinions based on the "moral" aspects of taking the job.

aridjis

You don't have to tell them until quite late in the pregnancy, but if you'd rather be open with them you can let them know. Are they likely to try and get rid of you, or withdraw their job offer if they find out you are pregnant?

Gigglepig

If you are only 6 weeks you probably didn't even know at the time you applied. So absolutely no need to feel guilty or that you deceived anyone. Sadly, not all pregnancies lead to babies, and at such an early stage you cannot be sure of what happens. If you are unemployed at the moment would just take the job.

However, if you are currently in another job, I would look carefully and weigh up pros and cons, since changing employer may impact what type of maternity pay/benefit you get. It may be stressful at first in a new job, and you will probably be on probation. So if you are considering a job change, there may be more reasons for staying put, or being open with the new employer to try to gauge if they will be supportive.

Vix125

Thanks for the advice guys,I'm currently not employed and. Know what this job entails as have worked here before, I don't think they would withdraw this job offer as I'm good at what I do for them but I still would have a 3 month probationary period so not sure how this would work either

Lovelyjoolz

Assuming that the pregnancy is successful (and I wish all the very best of luck) what are your plans for a) length of maternity leave and b) returning to work afterwards? Are you planning to take your full entitlement, or return to work quickly? Are you thinking of going part-time, not going back at all or remaining in full time work? You need to decide this and then have a chat to your potential employer.

Don't play childish games and pretend you don't yet know. They will appreciate and respect you more if you have an honest conversation with them about it.

If you plan to return full time after the birth then they only need to worry about the time you're off on maternity. And if you're only planning on taking a minimal amount of time off, this will reduce the impact on them.

However, if you're planning on taking a full 6 or 12 months off and then only returning part-time then this will have a much greater impact on them. Can they cope with that? Or are they going to struggle? It's not really fair is it?

An honest, adult conversation on what you want out of this and what they are in the position to offer is the sensible way to go here.

lovecake

As others have said, you only need to tell them by week 25 so no rush. But if you feel confident in telling them before this then go for it. As long as they have plenty of time to look for your maternity cover then I say it's fair enough. You will qualify for SMP if you do take the job as you will have worked for them for over 26 weeks.

As for the post above about 'pretending you don't know yet'. I'm not sure that's fair as you may well have no idea! I found it really hard to decide how far along I wanted to work until, how long I wanted to take off and what I want to do on my return! And I know many others in the same position. If it is your first it is very hard to tell how well/unwell/tired etc. you'll feel towards the end so picking a finishing date is mega difficult! You also don't know how you'll feel about mat. leave and returning to work after you have the baby. You may end up feeling like you need more or less time off and you may fully intend to come back full time and then decide financially or emotionally, you can't do it. Don't be pushed into making a decision and remember that you are allowed to change your mind on any of these things as long as you give proper notice. As long as you notify them before week 25 of your due date and the fact that you intend to take maternity leave then you're fine. My initial discussion went something along the lines of 'I think I'd like to work up to 37weeks, that's what I'll aim for anyway. I will probably want to take 9months off. I think I'd like to have a phased return and build up my days over a period of time.' Nothing needs to be set in stone!

If it were me, and I knew I could be an asset and do a great job for the 7/8 months I would be there for and do a great job when I returned then I would have no problem in taking the job. I wouldn't tell my family at only 6 weeks so I certainly wouldn't tell an employer. Good luck with your decision!

Claree__x

lovecake wrote: »

You will qualify for SMP if you do take the job as you will have worked for them for over 26 weeks.

It's 26 weeks up to the "qualifying week" which is 15 weeks before your due date, so you really need to have worked there a week before you fell pregnant.

You'll probably qualify for maternity allowance though, I can't remember the exact specifications but it's something like 26 weeks over the 60 weeks before the baby's due - or I could have made that bit up, best google it :rotfl:

I had only worked here for a month before I found out I was pregnant. I didn't tell them straight away because I was a temporary employee and because I didn't want to tell anyone at all before I was 12 weeks - which is a perfectly normal thing to do. I'd take the job and broach the subject when you feel comfortable.

notanewuser

Claree__x wrote: »

It's 26 weeks up to the "qualifying week" which is 15 weeks before your due date, so you really need to have worked there a week before you fell pregnant.

You'll probably qualify for maternity allowance though, I can't remember the exact specifications but it's something like 26 weeks over the 60 weeks before the baby's due - or I could have made that bit up, best google it :rotfl:

I had only worked here for a month before I found out I was pregnant. I didn't tell them straight away because I was a temporary employee and because I didn't want to tell anyone at all before I was 12 weeks - which is a perfectly normal thing to do. I'd take the job and broach the subject when you feel comfortable.

It's 26 out of 66 weeks.

lovecake

Claree__x wrote: »

It's 26 weeks up to the "qualifying week" which is 15 weeks before your due date, so you really need to have worked there a week before you fell pregnant.

You'll probably qualify for maternity allowance though, I can't remember the exact specifications but it's something like 26 weeks over the 60 weeks before the baby's due - or I could have made that bit up, best google it :rotfl:

I had only worked here for a month before I found out I was pregnant. I didn't tell them straight away because I was a temporary employee and because I didn't want to tell anyone at all before I was 12 weeks - which is a perfectly normal thing to do. I'd take the job and broach the subject when you feel comfortable.

Oh, thanks Claree. I just thought it was 26 weeks before taking mat.leave! Sorry for giving the wrong advice there...

claire16c

I'd take the job if you're not currently employed.

You need to do what's best for you & the baby.

And having suffered from a miscarriage myself, you don't know what's going to happen yet so if the worst happens you might regret not having the job too. Hopefully that won't happen though!