Been offered new job at 20 weeks but didn't tell them I was pregnant at interview!!!

[leigh5tom]

Okay so I had a job interview a few weeks ago and I went in with every intention of telling them I was pregnant...however the interview, I felt, went terrible and after a few minutes I had decided I hadn't got the job anyway lol and ended up not telling them!

Just had a phone call from HR to say that I was successful and they will be sending out the offer letters in the post...what do I do now!?! Help!! xxxx

 

[chezziepie]

Are you working at the moment? You don't need to tell them yet do you? and I'm pretty sure they can't withdraw the offer if you did.

 

[leigh5tom]

Yes I am working for the NHS at the moment in a psychiatric hospital but I've had enough of working in mental health so went for this job in a general hospital and was successful! My employers at present know I'm pregnant. xxx

 

[Sam182]

Officially ou don't have to tell them til you are 25 weeks but it's up to you how you feel

 

[MummytoSummer]

I had a similar situation when I was pregnant with my daughter. I went for an interview when I wasn't pregnant but by the time the offer came through I was. I then had a letter asking me to go for a medical. I still kept quiet. Vetting etc took so long that by the time I actually started I was 4 months pregnant!

I told my boss after 4 days and thankfully she and everyone else was great. I was only at work 4 months before I went off on my leave and I returned in April this year then fell pregnant in May. But again they've been fantastic.

Personally if I were in your shoes I'd write back to them formally accepting their offer, wait to get your start date and contract through and then have a chat with your boss or call HR before you start (but once you've signed and read through your contract).

They can't discriminate against you and they can't withdraw their offer. You won't be entitled to their contractual maternity pay or smp but you will be able to claim maternity allowance (that's what I had to claim). It's paid for 39 weeks at around £128 a week.

Good luck and congratulations on the job!

X

 

[leigh5tom]

I had a similar situation when I was pregnant with my daughter. I went for an interview when I wasn't pregnant but by the time the offer came through I was. I then had a letter asking me to go for a medical. I still kept quiet. Vetting etc took so long that by the time I actually started I was 4 months pregnant!

I told my boss after 4 days and thankfully she and everyone else was great. I was only at work 4 months before I went off on my leave and I returned in April this year then fell pregnant in May. But again they've been fantastic.

Personally if I were in your shoes I'd write back to them formally accepting their offer, wait to get your start date and contract through and then have a chat with your boss or call HR before you start (but once you've signed and read through your contract).

They can't discriminate against you and they can't withdraw their offer. You won't be entitled to their contractual maternity pay or smp but you will be able to claim maternity allowance (that's what I had to claim). It's paid for 39 weeks at around £128 a week.

Good luck and congratulations on the job!

X

Thank you I'm very happy as I really dislike my current job.

When I ring them though, what should I say? As to why I didn't tell them? Im really worried that they'll hate me lol because in all fairness it takes weeks to start a new job in nhs because of checks, references etc! And i was hoping to leave on mat leave at about 33 weeks so dont want to only be there like 2 weeks haha. Don't know what to do.

xxxx

 

[lollipop92]

I just got offered a job today too and i'm 20 weeks preg and also didnt tell them i was preg at the interview lol coincidence much. I just called them and told them my situation and they said that i would have the job whenever i was ready for it. I would just say you either didnt know you were preg at the time of the interview like i told them, or just say that you still felt it was a little early to be telling people so didnt want to mention it. they can't legally retract an offer of employment simply on the grounds that you are pregnant and if they did and you could prove it, you could sue them so they wouldnt risk it. Good luck with the new job!

 

[MummytoSummer]

Aw I know it's really tough to know what to say and do but at the end of the day theyve offered you the job because they feel you have what it takes. That hasn't changed just because youre pregnant.

When you speak to them and tell them about your pregnancy, you could say that you don't feel that your pregnancy hinders your ability to carry out the role and so felt it had no bearing on your interview. Explain how you are more keen than ever to prove they made the right decision in hiring you and they won't be disappointed with their choice.

I'm sure they won't hate you, even if they are a little shocked. I had these exact same worries when I started my role. I was so certain that they'd find a way to get rid of me after my probationary period, but instead they automatically signed my probation off as passed. I expect there were people there that thought I'd taken tbd piss a bit but nobody ever said anything and I never got wind of anyone saying anything behind my back. You'll be fine!

Let us know how you get on!

X

 

[leigh5tom]

Wow lollipop92 that's weird! Good luck to you too, and thanks for the advice! xxxx