Hyperthetical Question (PG/Job)

*Shellie_Star* · 12-05-2005, 06:35 PM

I hope this is a hyperthetical question but I would appreciate some feedback on this sort of situation.

Do you know where you stand in the UK with regards to starting a new job and then finding out you were PG (not planned)? Or if you knew before you were meant to start even? Would you still start? Especially if the job has a 3 months 'trial' period so after that period they could easily let you go if they knew.

Obviously I'm not talking maternity leave/pay here, just purely the situation of starting somewhere and maybe having to deal with an awkward situation like that soon after?

If anyone has any experiences or ideas on this I'd really appreciate reading them.

Thanks.

cazza77 · 12-05-2005, 07:06 PM

I don't think they can let you go because you are pregnant. You are coverewd in a number of ways from unfair dismissal while you are pregnant. They can't sack you just because you are pg.

One thing they might say is that you didn't tell them when you went for the interview, but if you didn't know then they can't do anything. As far as I am aware. In the work place pg women are pretty well looked after.

Cazza

naomi123 · 12-05-2005, 08:19 PM

Yes they cant let you go just because you are pregnant- you are still entitled to maternity leave regardless of how long you have been there although you may not be entitled to maternity pay. If my baby was due the week before then i wouldnt be entitled to maternity pay as I only started my job mid June- luckily I *JUST* amde the boundaries. Still, it was very awkward telling my boss considering when I found out I was preg I had only been in the job about 4-5 weeks. Luckily, they were ok about it-they have to be otherwise you can take them to court - and women who face discrimination because they are pregnant always win!!

paddy · 12-05-2005, 10:17 PM

So Shellie...when are you going to test...this is one curious paddy here!

P

*Shellie_Star* · 12-05-2005, 10:31 PM

Thanks everyone. Also Naomi, I was going to PM you but wasn't 100% sure, I thought you had a similar situation when you joined your present job so I thought you might know more about it, thanks again.

Well, I really don't know what's going on. AF will probably show and all this worry will be unecessary. I hope it is, as I really don't want to be pregnant now or in the very near future at all. It would be absolute crap timing as I live with my parents still, not much money, my boyfriend lives nearly an hour away and doesn't drive, I'm just about to start a really good new job and my parents are going away next year for 6 months which would be a key important time for me if I am

So the answer to your question Paddy is I would rather not know right now because I am very scared

keep nearly puking in the middle of the night, I dunno whether that's through worry or what, lots of other things are all adding up, I won't go into it all as I will just get upset I think

Thanks again everyone for the input.

x

paddy · 12-05-2005, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Shellie_Star*

So the answer to your question Paddy is I would rather not know right now because I am very scared

keep nearly puking in the middle of the night, I dunno whether that's through worry or what, lots of other things are all adding up, I won't go into it all as I will just get upset I think

Let me now remove my big size eights from my even bigger gob! I'm sorry Shellie...I didn't realise it was such a bad time for you.

I'm here for you if you need me. You're not a million miles away and I'd be happy to meet up if you need to chat anything through.

I know how scary it can be if your life isn't quite ready for a baby and I'm sorry that you are in that situation. But you might not be pregnant and you may be worrying needlessly... Maybe testing is the answer...? PM or email me if you need anything. More than happy to offer a couple of ears for bending.

((((HUGS))))

Paddy

cazza77 · 12-05-2005, 11:07 PM

If it makes you feel any better pregnancy symptoms for me are often the same as af symptoms so it may not be, but i really would do a test, could be worrying for nothing

naomi123 · 12-06-2005, 01:05 PM

I agree with the others- I would test just so you know- then at least you can deal with it whatever the outcome. You might be worrying unnecessarily!

PollySis · 12-06-2005, 03:28 PM

Shellie, I hope all goes well for you.

Just one thing you might need to know. And I dunno if this is PCOS related (hormonal?) but maybe some of the other cysters here would know? But with 2 of my pregnancies I had false negatives on tests - repeatedly. But knew I was up the duff. And both times, although a 1st and 2nd test were *negatives* a third test a week or so later was positive. I was later told that whilst tests can't give you a false positive - they can give you a false negative. So if you do test (and I would if I were you), and it's negative but the symptoms/instinct persists... do test again. And again! I'm sure someone said to me - either doc or chemist - that it was possible if the hormone levels were low but the pregnancy was actually sustained, or something but it's years ago now (12) and maybe the tests are more sensitive than they were. That said I got false negatives with both shope bought tests and the ones the chemist does for you, which are meant to be better.

I have had 7 pregnancies ( 5 to term) and the sickness varied from none whatsoever... to constant vomiting for months on end day and night, so the nausea may mean absolutely nothing. If AF arrives, all is well. If you often feel sick around the time of your AF (I know I do and it's the same sort of nausea you get in early pregnancy), then it may just be that you're experiencing now.

Jobwise, I did once find myself pregnant close to the start of a new job but as I had a permanent contract there was nothing they could do. I got maternity pay as well and actually in the end didn't even return to that job, anyway! I think it would depend on your contract but if you're in a union (or want to be), they can advise.

I also had a baby at the most inconvenient time in my life (my eldest), when I'd given up on ever getting pregnant so had started a really demanding college course. I was on teaching practice when I learned I was pregnant and because of how ill I felt, could easily have given it up... I'd spent years trying to get into teacher training college (it was in the 80s when there were more applicants than places for primary teaching), and had deferred my place for a year before I finally went - only to then get pregnant. Although it was the hardest thing to do - and I was also miles away from all my family except DH - we decided to plough on and here I am 16 years on, with a son I couldn't live without and all the difficulties around the time he was being carried are long forgotten. So even if it happens, it won't be as hard as you think.

Polly x

cazza77 · 12-16-2005, 12:31 AM

Any news shellie?

Sorry I may have missed out on something cos i haven't really been around much, been dead busy, but wondering how you are doing.

Cazza