Work and pregnancy? Advice needed.?

Question

I started a new job on the 3rd of January. Literally 20 minutes before I started the job I did a pregnancy test as my period was 1 day late - it came back positive and it has since been confirmed by the doctor. I did not know I was pregnant when I signed the contract.

I am worried as I am on the probation period of my new job and also because I am unsure what maternity rights I will have. I am happy to be pregnant but I have studied for 4 years to be able to do this job and don't want to loose it.

I have not told my employers that I am pregnant.

Any advice welcome - as long as its sensible x x

I am in the UK.

The work I am doing is not harmful to a pregnancy.

Answer 1

Unless your employer has a generous maternity policy that goes above and beyond the statatory, then you will not be entitled to get maternity pay from your employer. This is because you have to be employed for a few weeks before you get pregnant. You would have been about 4 weeks pregnant before you got a positive result on a test so that rules that out.
However, as long as you work for your employer throughout your pregnancy you will be entitled to maternity benefit. This works in a similar way to maternity pay but you claim it through the government rather than your employer paying it. You can look up the details on the DWP website.
Your employer can't sack you because you are pregnant, but if they really want to get rid of you, then it's very easy when you are on probabtion, unfortunately.
I would suggest that you keep your pregnancy quiet for as long as possible. If your probation lasts longer than you will be able to keep it quiet for, then ask for a few interim progress reports before they know you are pregnant and get them in writing. That will make it much harder for them to suddenly turn round and say 'you are no good at your job, get out' when they are actually getting rid of you for being pregnant.
Legally you don't have to tell your employer you are pregnant until something like 24 weeks so keep it quiet and work hard and I'm sure if they are a good employer they will do the right thing by you.

Answer 2

Your employer can't end your contract because you are pregnant. They will know this too. It is blatant discrimination. Make sure you make a good impression and work hard though because less professional companies might try to fire you on performance issues.

I agree that you don't need to tell them immediately unless your pregnancy would be affected by your job (working with chemicals/radiation, lifting heavy items etc.). You might feel more comfortable by telling them that you are pregnant so you don't feel like you are keeping it from them however, as a rule, most people don't make it public news until they are about 12 weeks (just because things can go wrong in the early stages).

You will be entitled to maternity leave but you may not qualify for any maternity pay from the company. You will therefore be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay for 3 months. After this, you may be entitled to Income Support, depending on whether you are living with your partner and his income (over £70 and you may not qualify).

Try not to worry too much. They did hire you because they thought you were the best person for the job. That doesn't change because you are pregnant! Good Luck!

Answer 3

I'm not sure where you stand as regards maternity pay but they certainly cannot discriminate against you for being pregnant. My advice is to check it out at your local citizens advice bureau (UK) and then just tell them. Honesty is the best policy hun. You might actually find they are more relaxed about it than you. I am now 5 months pregnant and have been offered two jobs recently. How good is that! I was certain nobody would be interested but there you go. The world does include some nice people after all lol.

Answer 4

Pregnancy is not an illness and will not stop you doing your work correctly, I would advise that you speak with your boss and explain what you have told us here, by law (my belief) you are entitled to maternity rights after only 1 week in the job so you have no worries there, your boss however will have to allow you time off for appointments, but these are monthly until the last trimester, there was a reason you were employed here, I presume because of the study required there were many applicants and you were the best??
good luck and take care!!

Answer 5

All you can do is tell the employer (rather than wait much longer - the problem isn't going to go away), and let the chips fall where they may.

If you're in the U.S. employers are not supposed to fire you because you're pregnant (although they sometimes know how to fire you for some "other" reason).

When it comes down to it, this isn't the only job for someone with whatever training you have; so if something happens with this job there will be another one eventually. Think, too, that there's a chance nothing bad will happen with the job; and then you won't have a secret to be worrying about.

Answer 6

You did not know you were pregnant when you signed the contract so you've done nothing wrong. I don't think it matters though. I'm pretty sure they cannot discriminate against you for being pregnant, unless you're doing some job that you shouldn't do while pregnant (like handling chemicals that would be dangerous to your baby.)
I think you can check with the attorney generals office to find out your rights.

Answer 7

Sounds like you are freakin out without really giving yourself time. It's okay to be pregnant and still keep a job. You don't have to tell your employer nothing...unless your job is dangerous for a pregnant woman. Everything will always work out...try to understand that your body is going through a lot of changes and so you feel more overwhelm than neccessary. Good luck.

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Answer 8

Work at your job for several months yet, then ask for maternity leave. I know several women that stayed working right into their 8th month. As long as the job will not cause harm to the developing child there is no worries about working, unless doctor tells you no work of course.

Answer 9

Honesty is the best option, and from what it sounds like, you were honest about getting that job. Probation should have nothing to do about your future. It takes weeks to develop; (and I know that the doctor's visits might impact your work,) but you can still work through the upcoming pregnancy.

Just let your employer know, the longer that you wait the more they are going to think otherwise. Be up front, and let it work out,...

Congratulations, by the way :-)

Answer 10

Be honest with them, they cant sack you for that reason. Plus by the sounds off it if you have trained hard for this job they probably need you as much as you need them.

Also being honest means if you do have a slightly off day with sickness or tiredness they are not gonna think that you are slacking or are wrong for the job.


Although not meaning to scare you but maybe waiting a few weeks may not hurt. I told my boss 2 weeks ago that i was pregnant (9weeks) and within days i miscarried. Im not saying this will happen to you but the first few weeks are the most crusial for your baby!

Good luck