can you find a job while pg?

have recently discovered that I am pregnant and at the same time that my company is probably going to reduce my working hours (and pay) from July 2009. Or I could loose my job (not made redundant since the company has less than 15 employees). These are all info gathered from conversations with my manager, but she can't assure me anything for the future. She tried to be supportive and said that "things could actually go better and maybe nothing would change". She knows I am pregnant and she is using it to convince me to stay there since being pregnant I wouldn't find another job and that if I would leave now "she would be disappointed".
Time ago, when few things were starting to change in the company I went to talk directly to the owner. I explained him that we were trying to have another baby and that I needed to know if I had a job in the future, because I didn't want to be in a situation where I was on the street, without a job with a big belly! He assured me that I would have a job (all words, nothing in writing). Now the boss has moved to another city, so I don't have direct contact with him and my working conditions have gotten worse... moved offices, different working envirnoment... I feel so frustrated!!!
We need the money, I need to be able to work and I need to be sure that I have a job when I get from maternity leave!!!
A month after I had my DD (with traumatic delivery which required me months to heal) my boss at the time told me that he had to let me go, because he decided to go travel the world and close the company...
Now this...
grrrrrgrrrr
the problem is that I don't think I can find another job while pg and no rights to maternity leave (paid or not)!!! I want to enjoy my pg and my baby, but I am so angry right now!!!
Even though I am not showing my pg yet, I would NOT hide it or lie about it ot a possible employer. I would feel dishonest and I can't simply do it.
ANy advice?
Thanks

Hi, sorry you have to go through all this...

It is possible to get another job when pregnant. I was working for a law firm up here on the coast when I fell pregnant with DS - and I told them when I found out, so about 6 weeks. I was one day out from being there 12 months, so they said I wasn't entitled to my year maternity leave (unpaid) so they wouldn't keep my job open for me.

I spoke to one of the partners and he said that basically they didn't really want me working for them when I was pregnant.

I went and found another job in another law firm, that was looking for someone to start part time work in about a year - another secretary had had a baby and wanted to come back part time and wanted someone to job share with. Timing worked out perfectly.

So yes, there are terrible people out there to work for - but there are also good people. I didn't hide my pregnancy from the boss when I applied - and it all fit anyway!!! Plus I proved myself to him whilst working there - so I'm still working there - but only one day a week. He said he would rather me there one day a week than quit.

So there ARE good employers out there!! Good luck!!

thanks for your nice words... I wonder if you were the only one so lucky though...

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thanks for your nice words... I wonder if you were the only one so lucky though...

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if you're looking for mat leave entitlements (even unpaid) you will probably struggle unless you manage to find a govvie job.. most places are under no obligation to hold a job for you until you've been there at least 12 months...

I managed to find heaps of temp work and short contracts. They usually pay very well. Call up a few temping agencies as they are very helpful in finding people work.

My full time employer doesnt offer pain maternity leave until you've been there for 24 months...so it varies greatly.