Just started work and just found out I'm pregnant! Advice?

[ChryssT]

I just started work about 4 or 5 weeks ago (2days/week) and have just found out I'm pregnant again. Any advice on how to handle this? Obviously I won't let them know until the 1st 12 weeks of pregnancy is up just to be sure anyway. It's a small friendly office environment where everyone has kids, but I feel bad and don't want there to be bad feelings because of it. Should I offer for them to let me go if they want rather than them feel 'trapped' because it'll look bad if they fire me now?? I think they're happy with my my work but it's such early days.

[Mum2Romone]

If you intend to continue working for them and return after maternity leave then I wouldnt tell them until its obvious in the pregnancy you would want to have to tell them all your personal business unless necessary.

I didnt

And find out whether you are even entitled to maternity leave before a full 12 months work, because I wasnt at 11 months So had to resign and get no money or job back

Oh well I like not working better Best of Luck !!!!

[luna moth]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

OK, so, number 1, they CAN'T fire you now. Not because you're pregnant, at any rate. I think they can still sack you if you suck at your job, but they have to follow whatever protocols they would with a non-pregnant employee.

Since you won't have 12 months of service before you go on leave, you're not necessarily entitled to having your position held for you. They may love you so much that they do it anyway, but they don't have to. I was in this boat, and they offered to hold it for me, but I have chosen to resign instead, because I don't intend to go back full-time, or within one year, so that is the best option for all of us. If I do want to go back, they will find me something. (cos I'm awesome )

You're not obligated to tell them you're pregnant until 10 weeks before you intend to go on leave.

[ChryssT]

Haha! Can you imagine just not telling them til 10 weeks before?? Turning up to work with a rather pronounced bump just pretending everything's normal.

I hadn't considered it being within 12 months and not being eligible for maternity leave. That makes me feel a little better - not like I've tried to screw them over or something. ...wonder if I'll still be eligible for the governments paid maternity leave....? Will have to look it up.

Thanks for all your advice girls.

[Sopdet]

Congrats on the pregnancy.

I worked with somebody who didn't tell anybody she was pregnant until she had gotten to 22 weeks, yes it was obvious that she was pregnant, it was the elephant in the room.

I also won't be telling work until I've gotten past all the danger points of the pregnancy.

[luna moth]

I could've hidden it almost this far. Up until last Wednesday, people who didn't know couldn't tell, generally. If I really wanted to, I could have just passed it off as general weight gain. My 82 year old neighbour didn't pick it until 21 weeks, which I LOVE because our houses are so close together that she can see me every time I go to the toilet, knows how often I go out, has a pretty good idea of my work habits etc. She didn't suspect until I was wearing some fairly close fitting pants and a top - and she knew we had been trying. SO it could be done.

I'm pretty sure you'd still be eligible for PPL, because you've worked.