Accepting new job whilst pregnant

Andrew_Ryan_89

Hey guys,

My other half is looking for a new job and has had a couple offers. We found out last week that she could be pregnant and if so, she'll be about a month or so right now. If she was to accept
the offer, taking into account notice periods, references and holidays, she would start working for them around mid-October/early November.

My worry is that her probation period will probably be around 6 months and by the time she competes it, she'll be a month or two before her due date. To be frank, my fear is that they won't offer her permanent contract due to the pregnancy. I know this is not legal but they can simply come up with any excuse not to offer a full term contract.

Any tips?

Update

She accepted the job. She accepted it before she knew she was pregnant but handed in her resignation after she knew of the pregnancy. She's feeling anxious about telling them and we plan to do so as soon as the first scan is done.

It is a little unfair but then again, she could have left for a number of other reasons. What's done is done. Any advice on the best way to let the employer know she's pregnant will be much appreciated.

Sncjw

I would take in account of maternity pay as well think you have to worked there 26 weeks before getting it .

Can you confirm if she is pregnant before telling them

Sncjw

Could she not stay in current job so she has the maternity pay there

Undervalued

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

My worry is that her probation period will probably be around 6 months and by the time she competes it, she'll be a month or two before her due date. To be frank, my fear is that they won't offer her permanent contract due to the pregnancy. I know this is not legal but they can simply come up with any excuse not to offer a full term contract.

They would be taking a big risk if they acted in that way as it is unlawful to discriminate for reason of pregnancy.

Few large or reputable employers would behave like that but, sadly it is quite common in other situations. Only she can decide if it is worth taking the risk and if she would be prepared for a battle if the worst came to the worst.

No doubt somebody will be along to criticise her for taking a new job under these circumstances. However the law is quite clear that she is under no obligation to disclose her pregnancy at this stage and provides her with considerable protection.

Andrew_Ryan_89

Sncjw wrote: »

Could she not stay in current job so she has the maternity pay there

Thank you guys for the response.

She hates where she currently is and mentioned it would be very tough for her to have a child then go back into that job. It's got to a point where she is depressed about working where she currently is.

Takeaway_Addict

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

Thank you guys for the response.

She hates where she currently is and mentioned it would be very tough for her to have a child then go back into that job. It's got to a point where she is depressed about working where she currently is.

Perhaps it may change if she is pregnant and her mind set alters to one of...9 months more of 'getting the job done' then a year off on leave where she has plenty of time to job hunt?

Whilst most companies won't be happy to find out she is pregnant due to the extra cost and hassle the vast majority will obey the law. Though there is always a risk she is unlucky and they won't.

There is also a risk that her current company may sack her but it seems it will be alot less likely and probably safer overall.

TELLIT01

Undervalued wrote: »

No doubt somebody will be along to criticise her for taking a new job under these circumstances. However the law is quite clear that she is under no obligation to disclose her pregnancy at this stage and provides her with considerable protection.

From the OP it seems unlikely that she would have known she was pregnant at the time of the job applications / interviews.
My concern would be the lack of employment protection in the first 2 years of employment. I'm sure any employer who wished to could find a way to get rid of her.
Entitlement to maternity pay is definitely another factor to consider. From the calculations given she will be about 3 months pregnant by the time she would start the new job and therefore wouldn't qualify. Hanging in there at the current employer seems to be financially the best route.

Serendipitious

Is maternity leave and pay generous at the present place of employment?

And what's the situation re sick leave should it be needed during pregnancy?

If both are highly positive, I'd personally be tempted to stay put for the benefits and look on it as counting down the days and weeks.

But if she finds it depressing, no financial gain is worth that, so a new job would be much better.

Either way, there's no guarantee that your wife will want to return to work after the baby is born.

KiKi

Also, the idea of probation and a 'permanent' contract is a bit of a fallacy.

Unless you're suggesting she's been offered a fixed term contract for 6 months (which I don't think you are), then it seems she's been offered - now - a permanent contract, which has a probationary period.

A probationary period is pretty meaningless in law (unless there is a contractual term which means she gets more pay / better conditions etc after the probationary period ends). They can get rid of her for any reason in the first two years with only a very few exceptions - and pregnancy is one of them.

So to be honest, whether she passes probation or not, if they *want* to make up a reason to get rid of her, they can do that at any time in the first two years anyway, regardless of any probationary period. Of course, they might use the probationary period as a reason not to continue her employment, but they really could do this at any point up to two years' continuous service.

Also, you mention that you think she might be pregnant - probably best to do a test and confirm it before making any decision!

KiKi

Leo2020

I worked with someone who became pregnant not long into a new job. This was with a large employer. At the end of the 6 month probationary period they let her go it may have even been before - it was sometime ago so the memory is a little hazy. They didn't state it was because of the pregnancy but it clearly was. If it was me I wouldn't take the risk of jumping ship. If she really wants a new job she could look again after her maternity.

Serendipitious

In the news today:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37222674