new job and desperate feelings...

[kirstylm]

Hi girls! Just after some advise really. I had a MC back in May and had to have an evacuation op. Took me a good few months to mentally get over my loss and took my body even longer, only had 2 normal periods since!
But, finally I feel back to 'normal' now in body and mind... I think!
Since then, I have accepted a new job which I start on 28th September. If I'm right, you have to have been employed by the same employer for just under 6 months to recieve full maternity pay?? Is this right? My new job is a 6 month fixed term contract and I was told in the interview can be extended another 6 months as I am covering for the lady thats on maternity leave.
Now, here are my questions: 1. Should I wait 6 months and see if my contract is extended, if Im laid off, or offered the job full time before trying for a baby? 2. If I was to get pregnant a few months into my employment, could they sack me? 3. Am I taking a huge risk here taking a possible non permanent job and wanting a baby at the same time??
I am a bit upset as I don't really want to leave my current job as I love it an the people I work with. Im only really leaving as the money in the new job is starting salary of an extra 3 grand and going up to a possibility of another 3 grand! My current employer can't match this so I had no choice! The new job is a more senior role and will, I know, be a job I will love and there is much more oppertunity there so at the same time is a good thing.
I feel like at the moment I wan't a baby more than anything in the world! I feel like I don't want to wait 6 months and even then, if the contract doesn't extend then I will have to find another job & start all over again!!!!
Any advise here would be much appreciated!!!

 

[amyclaire]

under no circumstances can u be sacked for being pregnant.

you have to be with employer 26 weeks - by your 15th week of pregnancy - to be eligible for statutory maternity pay. otherwise, you apply for maternity allowance. smp and ma entitle you to the same amount of money for the same amount of time xxxx

 

[kirstylm]

sorry I may sound dumb but does that mean if Im 15 weeks pregnant when I tell my employer Im pregnant and I have been there 3 months I will get maternity pay?
I just worry that as I will be on a 6 month fixed term contract and I tel them im pregnant after 3 months then that will affect their decision to keep me on for longer or not.
All so complicated!
Thanks for you help though, so in actual fact, even if I didnt wait 26 weeks I would still prob get the same sort of money anyhow.
I just think, what's the point in starting a more senior role in a new job if im just guna go off & have a baby - feels silly and a bit wrong to the employer?

 

[amyclaire]

if you'd been there 3 months, thats 12 weeks so you'd apply 4 maternity allowance rather than statutory maternity pay. your maternity pay isnt affected by the contract ending - i think its made more difficult for your employer, not you - as i think they have to give details if they dont want to renew the contract.

i guess you could see it as being wrong to the employer, but its just life - people become pregnant when it isnt planned, employers just have to deal with it - as long as you tell them by 15 weeks you're fine, then they have time to get cover for your leave. dont you just love the law! xxxx

 

[fuffyburra]

Ah, look like things are working out after all I don't think it's that wrong to the employer, sometimes you've gotta put yourself first. Anywho, they'll find someone else for the job. As amyclaire said - they gotta deal with it!