Accepting a promotion but knowing you will be on maternity leave when it starts...

[Maruschke]

Hi All

I have been offered a higher paying job that starts in the second university semester next year. Trouble is that I am pg and know I will be on maternity leave from May. They plan these things 12 months in advance and I feel bad for accepting the job but knowing that I won't actually do the work. If I rejected the job, they would be instantly suspicious because it is my dream job and they know it!

What should I do? I will tell them at 13 weeks (9 weeks time).

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I would be upfront with them - they obviously want you so they may be willing to wait. Will you be going back after your mat leave finishes?

[tiggerlinda]

This is tough I think you need to let them know you are Pg and would love to accept the role so it does not hinder your chances in the future.

Or Accept and then tell them ASAP at 12 weeks once all is confrimed

Have you had your first scan yet?

[Maruschke]

I intend to go back part time (they legally aren't allowed to reject this request without a reason, and other women have done it no problems) and work one day from home and one day from work. I am just not ready to tell them yet, but don't want to leave them in the lurch because it takes so long to get these appointments sorted out. My maternity leave is 6 months paid.

[tiggerlinda]

Ok most women don't really know at this stage so accept the role and then explain the rest after 12 weeks.

When did the offer the role?

[Maruschke]

I haven't had the first scan yet, but looking forward to it . Hopefully telling them at 12/13 weeks gives them enough notice. He offered it to me last week. If things are going very well I might tell him earlier so that I don't burn my bridges.

[tenar]

I would accept now and tell them when you are good and ready and not before.

They are practical people (I also work at a university). They know that

- you might get a better job at a different university and leave

- you might get pregnant next month, or the month after, or whenever, and it will still have implications for your career. These things happen to women and they do know about it.

- you might leave your job altogether for any reason, with little notice.

So although they plan things 12 months in advance, I think you have no reason to need to tell them about your pregnancy until months down the track. And I wouldn't do so if I were you. Universities, though huge and lumbering beasts, are also good at "making do" when people's position changes for whatever the reason.