Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Sal the 1st — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 08:19:46 GMT

can I just chuck this one in. We had a member of staff on maternity leave and employed somebody on a fixed contract to cover her . Unfortunately for us the nurse providing the cover also became pregnant and was unable to cover the period we needed - but we then ended up paying her Maternity Pay as well. So as somebody who has never been pregnant but has always had to cope when others are I would tend to agree with Apache and say pregnancy in practice can be a nightmare and there is no ill will intended to the OP or anybody else who is pregnant - just to say it isn't plain sailing for us left to sort things out.

To the OP - just be honest with your employer and let them know as soon as you are able - employers appreciate honesty and then that will give them the maximum time to find cover for your leave. Best wishes for a healthy, happy baby and mum

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 22:46:07 GMT

Feeling confident I got this right now...brain finally got into gear... OP, technically this is possible...

by reporting pregnancy on day 1, week 1, of your new employment and then staying with the same employer for 26 weeks and then into the 15 week final period you could be eligible to claim maternity pay. Tight squeeze dates wise but do able.

I cannot find anything that says you need to be working with the employer beforehand. Just that the 26 weeks needs to be with the *same* employer... In your, (potential) circumstances it is possible you could work 26 weeks etc as you are very early doors aware of your condition. Suggest speaking up asap!

If you don't qualify for Maternity Pay you should qualify for Maternity Allowance instead.

Phew. Brain freeze. I need ma bed.... Zzzz

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 17:07:23 GMT

apache

Thanks for your clarification - I thought it was unlike you... Peace.

I want to get this absolutely right tho, so am going to research further. Thanks for your input.

Ali

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 16:59:21 GMT

Ben Ogden

As a man you are very definitely entitled to join in with your opinions! What about paternity leave? What about flexible working to work around a family? Not necessarily equality (you can't get pregnant, well not without overcoming a few hurdles...) but there is equanimity where male or female we are equally considered.

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Ben Ogden — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 15:55:21 GMT

[quote user="Alison Clare Hickman"]

apache - I see your opinion. I trump it by saying that you're tarring everyone with the same brush; also giving the OP news that could cause stress and anxiety. I know why you've said it - reality is this as you've outlined it, SOMETIMES. Not always though.

I am heartened by the OP having actually posted on here in the first place to express her worries and ask for support and guidance. I get the strong feeling she will work her boobs off in her lovely new role and try her damnedest to mitigate any reduction in her working capacities. The fact is that neither you nor I apache know what's in her heart and mind but I can say I'm betting this was an unplanned pregnancy and she's not calculated it to sadden her new employer...

Great RVN positions with understanding and supportive and creative and intelligent and forward thinking bosses are hard to find. I'd put her on my own payroll every time expecting a little person or not. Anyone in my team who found this difficult to deal with - I'd have to have supportive words with. A female workforce usually has family commitments of all ages to work around (babies, children, young adults, ageing parents). I get that.

Perhaps we need to support small businesses in this respect? I think this is where our energies need to be focussed rather than causing suffering for the business (as you see it) or person (as I see it).

I think you've possibly had a hard time? Yes, like in all walks of life this happens... doesn't mean that this ALWAYS occurs. I've worked in small businesses where the opposite happened - support given was return ten-fold.

[/quote]

Childish I know, but I laughed hard at this...

Veterinary Practice does need to stop living in the 70's. The Veterinary world is largely women now, modern women, with all the pressures that brings and practices should be looking how they can (1) accommodate the new generation of Veterinary employees (2) get the best out of them without alienating. As a male though, I don't can't really say much more.

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

apache — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 15:51:47 GMT

[quote user="Alison Clare Hickman"]she could potentially work at least 26 weeks continuing into the qualifying week, yes?[/quote]

No. Not as I read it. The 26 weeks continuous employment have to be before 15 weeks before the due date, as I read it. I think this is to help protect the new employer in such circumstances.

[quote user="Alison Clare Hickman"] I see your opinion. I trump it by saying that you're tarring everyone with the same brush; also giving the OP news that could cause stress and anxiety. I know why you've said it - reality is this as you've outlined it, SOMETIMES. Not always though.[/quote]

Alison, I'm not against staff having babies (I'm the only male in the practice). We've had pregnant staff in the past and I'm sure we will again in the future. I was just trying to balance the advice stating that there can be difficulties and it is without doubt difficult for small practices to cope in these circumstances. Particularly when RVNs are in such short supply.

To the OP, I wasn't trying to be negative, just to point out some of the issues you may encounter (maternity pay, other staff, change in priorities). Hope no offense caused?

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 13:27:33 GMT

[quote user="apache"]have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks continuing into the ‘qualifying week’ - the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth[/quote]

apache - yes, sorry I confused Leave with Pay - you're correct.

However, as the OP has only just found out she is (possibly) gravid and is therefore in the extremely early days of her condition, then with the usual 38-41 weeks gestational period for a human, she could potentially work at least 26 weeks continuing into the qualifying week, yes? So she can qualify for Maternity Pay...

Continuous employment is when an employee has worked for one employer without a break.

The length of continuous employment gives certain rights to employees, including:

maternity pay
flexible working requests
redundancy pay

Continuous employment is calculated from the first day of work.

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:54:10 GMT

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Ruth Stewart — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:51:56 GMT

"It depends on the size of the team, but pregnant staff are a nightmare for small businesses. I'm sure my wife and I wouldn't have been trying for a baby at such a time......."

Sorry I'm not sure how to highlight this section.

I am sure that this comment is not intended to cause distress, however it does read critically against the original poster. Without knowing the circumstances I would be disinclined to comment on the circumstances of the potential pregnancy, there could be many reasons for trying for a baby with timing not being an option. The original poster (OP) was looking for advice and not comments about being pregnant/trying for a baby.

OP - best wishes on the future, try not to panic too much, just a quick note to mention there is also Maternity Allowance if a person is not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay.

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/how-to-claim

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

apache — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:33:37 GMT

You get leave yes. Look at the qualification rules from the same site:

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

To qualify for SMP you must:

    earn on average at least £116 a week
    give the correct notice
    give proof you’re pregnant
    have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks continuing into the ‘qualifying week’ - the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth

You're pregnant for 40 weeks and 26 and 15 =41 weeks.

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:30:03 GMT

[quote user="apache"]you will not be eligible for maternity pay[/quote]

Maybe for any benefits from the employer... but for Statutory Maternity Pay apache you're WRONG!

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility

Eligibility

Statutory Maternity Leave

You qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave if:

you’re an employee not a ‘worker’
you give your employer the correct notice

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been with your employer, how many hours you work or how much you get paid.

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

apache — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 00:11:26 GMT

There are 2 sides to this. On one hand it's good news for you (I assume?), but there are some unintended consequences from getting pregnant so early in a new job, you will not be eligible for maternity pay. It can also limit to an extent how 'stuck in' you can get as your pregnancy progresses and you don't know how it will affect your health.

Whilst pregnant employees are protected well in law, I can see a new employer being quite sad about it. They've found a fab new member of staff who they now know will be leaving for 6-12 months pretty much on their terms. It will have knock on effects on other staff, suddenly one recruitment problem was solved and anther simultaneously created. Can they find maternity cover or will the other nurses have to work harder (and resent you)? Lots of people's priporities change when they have children and want less work/OOH cover is harder etc.

It depends on the size of the team, but pregnant staff are a nightmare for small businesses. I'm sure my wife and I wouldn't have been trying for a baby at such a time..........

RE: Possibly pregnant and starting a new job

Alison Clare Hickman — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:10:22 GMT

Hello there firstly my huge congratulations if you are expecting! Yaaay!! As for your new job, well tell your new boss in the same manner as u put it on here and I truly cannot see why they would think bad things about you - you have expressed yourself well and kindly thinking about their end as well as yours. (they're not allowed to discriminate by law anyway!) If anybody is sniffy about it, well don't let their prejudice become your problem by meeting it with a pleasant manner and not rising to it. However if it's a boss that does this, do u want to work there anyway? Maybe reset your sights.

I can maybe understand a slight disappointment on their behalf that they won't have you for as long as they hoped but really that's to forget all of.your talents you will be giving up to your maternity leave. It's not like you're giving them one week's notice and then you're off - it takes a few months to bake a baby!

Always err on the side of caution, I feel, when dealing with human reproduction. The sooner you say something the sooner you get the necessary support and understanding.

Bless you (and your possible little passenger). You will be fine! Xx