starting new job, just found out I'm pregnant

yaubelle

I'm due to start a new job tomorrow. It's a part-time teaching assistant post at a primary school. However, I've just discovered I'm pregnant!!:j:eek:

When I went for the interview just over 2 months ago I wasn't pregnant and have only got pregnant in the last month. It certainly wasn't a planned pregnancy, although OH and I did eventually want another baby to complete our family.

I really want to make a go of this job and need advice as to how to go about telling my employers about the pregnancy. I feel a bit bad/embarrassed (possibly a feeling of having let them down) as I haven't even started the job yet and am now pregnant. I don't want them to think that I had it planned all along.

The job has a six month probationary period. I am concerned they may ask me to leave at the end of the six months rather than put up with me being off for maternity leave.

This is my first job in a long while and I really don't want to lose it.

I would be really grateful for any advice you can give as I am now dreading having to tell my boss.

Many thanks in advance.

stazi

You convinced me! Why not just tell them and show them your post!

LittleVoice

yaubelle wrote: »

The job has a six month probationary period. I am concerned they may ask me to leave at the end of the six months rather than put up with me being off for maternity leave.

If they did this it would look like direct sex discrimination and automatically unfair (unless they had a really valid reason for dismissal).

cazziebo

Congratulations!

Little voice is right - you can't be discriminated against because you are pregnant. However, the six month probationary period will be measured and monitored (pregnant or not) so you could be let go at any point during this time as long as the evidence is centred around performance.

If I had a good candidate for a job, who was pregnant (or any other condition that necessitated an absence) then I would be more inclined to make it work out rather than go through the pain of recruitment again.

You have to tell them sooner or later - so just do it sooner. I think they'd appreciate your honesty. Best way to do it is just say it. "You should know that I'm pregnant. It wasn't planned, I am really excited about this job, and my commitment is as it was at interview" Then pick them off the floor!

Wishing you a healthy happy pregnancy!

xx

pinkshoes

If you've just found out your pregnant, won't the baby be born at the start of the summer holidays next year, so you wouldn't miss too much anyway?!?!

yaubelle

Thank-you all so much for your advice and words of support. I feel a lot better now in biting the bullet and telling my boss. I'm also feeling more reassured that if I do a good job then hopefully they will keep me on.

I know I need to let them know sooner rather than later. The kids start school tomorrow, so I think I will tell the head teacher towards the end of next week so as to give me a bit of time to settle into the job and be able to tell her that I love the job and really don't want to lose it because of whats happened.


Once again many thanks for taking the time to reply, the moral support is really great.

Yaubelle

mrsbez_2

Yaubelle - have just been searching threads and came across yours. I am in an extremely similar situation and am really interested to know how things worked out for you?? How were they when you told them and did you go back after maternity leave??

whitewing

13 years ago I got accidentally pregnant the night before I started a new job. (Well, it was his dad's birthday!)

I told them straight after they told me I had passed the 3 month probationary period. They couldn't have been kinder. And baby and I got loads of cuddles.

f1re_cr4cker

i started my new job ( this was 6 years ago) and got pregnant 2 months later- they had no problems with me at all