Accepting new job whilst pregnant

Andrew_Ryan_89

Serendipitious wrote: »

In the news today:

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

Yeah, all this stuff hit the news just as I had a similar query. To be honest, I am struggling to see why an employer would keep you on when you have only been at the job for 6-7 months and then will be off up to a year. It looks like my girlfriend is going for it. Hopefully she'll be able to figure out very quickly if it's a place that offers flexible working and can make arrangements to come back to work early.

She hates where she is so much that even me with my practical, pessimistic and logical way of thinking is siding with her taking the plunge and taking up the new job.

Ozzuk

Something else to think about, if she is pregnant does she really want the stress of a new job? The grass isn't always greener, she may not fit in, she may be under pressure to prove herself or get up to speed quickly. Add in the pressure of not telling them early on that she is pregnant I'd think carefully does she want this potentially extra stress and unknown status of maternity pay when she is pregnant?

It could of course all go swimmingly but sometimes it is better the devil you know. And of course she'll be leaving her current employer for maternity leave soon anyway.

In her position I'd probably stick at it and assume I wouldn't be coming back after maternity leave (or if I did it would be a short amount of time until I found new position) and instead focus on the baby.

Sncjw

She will have to tell them for health and safety aspects as they will do a risk assessment also tell them so you can get time off for appointments and also so they know the date when maternity pay can start.

Andrew_Ryan_89

Sncjw wrote: »

She will have to tell them for health and safety aspects as they will do a risk assessment also tell them so you can get time off for appointments and also so they know the date when maternity pay can start.

Thank you. So with the H&S assessment, can they withdraw the offer on the basis that she's pregnant?

Undervalued

Sncjw wrote: »

She will have to tell them for health and safety aspects as they will do a risk assessment also tell them so you can get time off for appointments and also so they know the date when maternity pay can start.

Yes, but only once she has received an unconditional job offer or she could even wait until her first day.

Acc72

Andrew_Ryan_89 wrote: »

Thank you. So with the H&S assessment, can they withdraw the offer on the basis that she's pregnant?

I hope you don't mind me saying, but you seem very naïve to the whole process.


Of course they will not withdraw an offer because she is pregnant.


Of course they will not dismiss her within 2 years for being pregnant.


However they can withdraw an offer / dismiss due to a change of business needs or some other spurious reason.


Hopefully you are reading between the lines ....

Undervalued

Acc72 wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me saying, but you seem very naïve to the whole process.


Of course they will not withdraw an offer because she is pregnant.


Of course they will not dismiss her within 2 years for being pregnant.


However they can withdraw an offer / dismiss due to a change of business needs or some other spurious reason.


Hopefully you are reading between the lines ....

Yes, sadly that may happen.

However some employers behave correctly and some even are so super cautious under these circumstances that they hesitate to do anything even if the had good legal cause!

Takeaway_Addict

Undervalued wrote: »

Yes, sadly that may happen.

However [STRIKE]some[/STRIKE] employers behave correctly and some even are so super cautious under these circumstances that they hesitate to do anything even if the had good legal cause!

Most..............

Andrew_Ryan_89

Acc72 wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me saying, but you seem very naïve to the whole process.


Of course they will not withdraw an offer because she is pregnant.


Of course they will not dismiss her within 2 years for being pregnant.


However they can withdraw an offer / dismiss due to a change of business needs or some other spurious reason.


Hopefully you are reading between the lines ....

Don't mind at all! Being naive is why I created this thread. Of course, I know that won't "be" the reason why she would get dismissed or an offer withdrawn, just wanted to know how often it's the unofficial reason and whether I am overthinking the situation.

Kynthia

Company policy states when pregnancy has to be declared by. This may vary wildly depending on the job and whether pregnancy is a safety issue. For example in many office roles it could be as late as 15 weeks before the expected week of confinement (EWC) whereas if you're a police officer or fire fighter it might be policy that you inform a manager as soon as you know so that you and the baby aren't at risk. I understand it might be difficult for your OH to find out the policy for an employer she doesn't yet work for.

Support your OH if she wants to move, or doesn't. It's very difficult to consider yourself unemployable for 18 months because of having a baby when men don't have to consider that at all. It's not great to feel like you have to stay in an awful job, that you could be fired, or that no one will take you on if you're made redundant during pregnancy (very worrying if your the main earner or your salary is vital). You have enough going on without these additional worries. I also hate to say it but if definitely is pregnant (which you haven't confirmed) it's very early days and it doesn't always work out, so she may regret giving up an opportunity unecessarily (although fingers crossed that things would work out fine).

Although many women experience negativity and poor treatment, there are lots of good employers out there too so don't assume things would be bad. Good luck to you both.