Should I disclose at job interview I am 5 months pregnant?
Posted by Straight-Garbage-704@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 179 comments
I am 19 weeks pregnant (showing) and in discussion for a new job. I don’t want to disclose my pregnancy until after I’ve signed the contract, just to protect myself from any rejection.
However, I spoke to my father in law who has been the head of HR for 40 years, and mother in law who worked for the public sector for many years, both said that I should be transparent and disclose my pregnancy now before progressing, to show good faith. They think it’s better to be honest now and avoid hostile attitudes from the employer if I tell them later. If the employer react badly, then that’s a reflection on the company and I would have dodged a bullet.
The issue is that I don’t want to do anything that would shoot me in the foot or cut off my potentials. But on the other hand, I feel like a lying cheat if I keep it a secret. What should I do?
Pleasant_Werewolf_30@reddit
They can't ask if you're pregnant and there's no need to disclose this during the interview unless you want to.
sssstttteeee@reddit
I would suggest being honest, and work out based on the comments below what the liability is to them.
The baby is coming (congratulations!).
If someone when I worked at a corporate who I interviewed didn't disclose 5 months pregnancy, I'd have zero trust in them to not withhold other information in their work life.
Women smell differently when they are pregnant - I have learnt not to bring this up as I did a three decades ago and they were a bit miffed (though it was a private conversation).
Honesty is the best policy.
Careless-Giraffe-623@reddit
I see where your coming from, but I think I agree with your in laws... If you get the job, they will obviously fund out and think you're dishonest and they will find a way to get rid of you anyway.
KatieCampbel1@reddit
She doesn’t actually have to tell them that she knew she was pregnant. Some people don’t find out until 7 months
pajamakitten@reddit
And those people are very much medical anomalies.
Careless-Giraffe-623@reddit
Sure.. But the fact is they will feel lied too, and belive me, if they want you gone, they will find a way. They'd be daft to fire you over that, specifically, but if management want you gone, you'll be gone.
KatieCampbel1@reddit
Agreed but what does OP have to lose? They might be able to arrange a secondment for someone else to take the role temporarily or hire someone from an agency. So many unknowns
BellendBuilder@reddit
I run two businesses. I’d drop her like a sack of shit.
Not because she’s pregnant, I can find a replacement for that, I’ve got kids myself, but because she’s been dishonest. I’d absolutely find the most maliciously compliant reason to bring her probation forward and go toodle pip good luck in your future endeavours.
It’s so difficult to prove discrimination based on protected characteristics. Especially when I’m going to have a log of every single thing that she hasn’t done correctly or isn’t up to par with. Give that burden of proof to the judge and I am on my way.
Her dad was Head of HR for a long time so that man knows, same as her mum working in the public sector so they know HR are not there to protect employees, they’re there to protect the business.
Whatiii@reddit
Wouldn't part of the tribunal case include the being targeted (harassment as being treated less favourably than others) due to the pregnancy. Which would be evidenced by all of your evidence occurring only for the pregnant employee.
If you want that one employee gone you have to do it to everyone. Record all the mistakes from everyone, treat them all the same. Otherwise you open yourself up to those lines of attack. Will people really believe that only the pregnant person makes minor mistakes or doesn't do things correctly. One evidenced counter-example would show what was going on, and make those pages of documents help the claimant as they would evidence the targeting.
You have to be careful when gathering evidence on only one person with a protected characteristic. Everyone knows you start gathering evidence when you want them out, So having no evidence for any other person making any form of minor mistake or not being up to par on anything doesn't particularly help a case.
But yes if a company wants someone out, they will get rid of them, and a tribunal only gets you an order 2 years later that the company can delay paying out on anyway. So it doesn't help you now.
Yikes44@reddit
If her job, like most jobs, has 3 or 6 month probationery period they can let her go if they want to during that time.
de-tree-fiddy@reddit
They can let her go for any reason (that isn't a protected characteristic) at any point within the first two years.
Internal 3-6 month probation periods are meaningless.
Whatiii@reddit
That is changing in Jan 2027, to a 6 month period.
And up to that point they will be pregnant and/or on maternity leave.
It won't be taken on face value that you hired someone, and git rid of them quickly because of 'business reasons' or non-performance related reasons that just happened after you found out they were pregnant after the start date. So you would need to have evidence of non performance, which would also include comparing their performance to other new starters you have kept around at the same time period.
Anything the company does to get rid of them after finding they are pregnant in the period before Jan 2027 is high risk unless they can evidence it was not pregnancy related on the balance of probabilities.
Different-Use-5185@reddit
Tell that to the people who get dismissed for poor performance or lesser misconduct whilst on probation
sheepandlambs@reddit
They're not meaningless. Because generally it will mean a shorter notice period, as per your contract.
softbrownsugar@reddit
That's actually just 6 months now
ghosthud1@reddit
A woman could get pregnant at any time through employment? That’s just what you have to accept when hiring a biological woman.
de-tree-fiddy@reddit
But it hasn't happened at any time, it's already happened and they will be expected to pay out for maternity leave for somebody who has been at the company for a couple of months.
That is why they will feel cheated.
Samuraisheep@reddit
They claim maternity pay back from the government anyway (not sure if that depends on the size of the company)
Jung-And-A-Menace@reddit
That doesn't get the work OP wouldn't be doing done, though.
Samuraisheep@reddit
No it doesn't but they're not paying out for someone.
Jung-And-A-Menace@reddit
So it's the same as leaving the position empty?
Samuraisheep@reddit
Not relevant to my point though? I was purely responding to the paying out for someone who has only been there a few months point.
ghosthud1@reddit
But that’s why it isn’t a legal requirement to disclose pregnancy.
Women have the right to autonomy over their body. If a company feels cheated by this, that’s on them.
Whether it’s prior to employment, 2 weeks in, 5 years down the line. It could happen, and that’s why a company should always be prepared for maternity leave.
You can’t remove biology just because it doesn’t fit your bottom line 😂
blueroses8000@reddit
I think you think the other posters are defending the companies and what they do, they’re not, they’re just talking about the reality and that most won’t want someone who is currently pregnant and how best to deal with it for your own sake as you’re not going to be able to do anything to change that.
Careless-Giraffe-623@reddit
Meanwhile, back in reality, the OP will simply get fired so some other reason they think up.
ghosthud1@reddit
Meanwhile, back in reality.
Pregnant woman still need an income 🫨🫨🫨🫨
Careless-Giraffe-623@reddit
Sure but if they want you gone you'll be gone... I've seen it happen. I've even seen people promoted into new roles with the specific intention of that role being made redundant a bit further down the line as a way to get rid of people without fuss.
I'm not saying that's the case here but there are mechanisms to get rid of people.. The HR father in law probably knows this all too well.
ghosthud1@reddit
I was let go after a decade due to a brain tumour/epilepsy. Going through treatment and on sick, and they could no longer accommodate.
My performance was above and beyond my peers, I even had two employee of the year awards. They couldn’t give a rats arse mate.
No matter the reason, a company will always find a way to protect their bottom line.
Take advantage of them, just like they would with you. It’s a business transaction, and from my 33 years on the planet, there is little to no trust involved in that process 👍
cateml@reddit
This, to be honest.
I say this as someone who had a job interview at around 20 weeks.
In my case I disclosed it, but I knew they already knew anyway (I already knew someone working there), so to be honest it never occurred to me I could keep it a secret. I just didn’t think to mention it for a while, and obviously they couldn’t ask while also knowing, and then only towards the end of the interview did I remember that they weren’t allowed to bring it up, it was actually kind of funny.
I got the job, still work there now.
It’s worth noting that the company/organisation will not be legally obligated to pay OP any maternity pay, and most will therefore not, as she will not have been working at the company long enough by the time the baby is born.
OP may well be entitled to statutory maternity pay though, depending on her working situation in the last year prior to now.
They will be legally obligated to take her back after the leave, though.
So in my case that was why it was OK - they knew of someone who might be willing to step into the role on a temporary basis (because they were looking to retire around then anyway), and they wouldn’t have to pay both of us at any point. Then when that person retired they knew they already had someone else lined up for the job, rather than having to put more time/resources into finding another good candidate.
I know the job market is a shit show at the moment, and this situation working was partly to do with the nature of my role, so yeah it might well not work out. BUT - OP will only have about another 4 months of working time left anyway. She might be better off doing some temp/freelance/agency type work for that period and then looking for another job at the end of her leave. Only OP knows how important having that return workplace lined up will be.
llksg@reddit
While they won’t be required to pay her maternity pay it would make her eligible for statutory pay. Additionally with new labour laws that have just come into play, she would also have protection for 18 months following the birth of her child.
cateml@reddit
I think she would need to have worked for them for at least 26 weeks, even before the qualifying week (which she will be coming up to), to qualify for statutory maternity pay though?
I personally qualified for neither statutory pay or maternity allowance, despite the fact that I was employed and took maternity leave.
One of the conditions for the allowance is that you have been employed, of registered self employed, for around half of the 66 weeks before the baby is due. I hadn’t been, because I had been on a state funded vocational course (so living off a bursery, not a wage) for most of that time.
So yeah the vast majority of people who are reliant on having an income qualify for one or the other. But you can get the odd case of people who fall through the technical cracks - of which I was one - which is why I stipulated that it depends on her past employment.
llksg@reddit
The law changed as of 6th April 2026
ChequeredTrousers@reddit
The law in the U.K. states you have to tell your employer 15 weeks before the due date. I think you’ll find yourself in a tricky spot if you don’t disclose.
Known-Wealth-4451@reddit
But they’re not your employer until you’ve actually started work.
WhiteDiamondK@reddit
It’s a tough one.
Legally, you don’t have to tell them.
Morally, a different story.
If I hired someone who immediately after being hired disclosed something that constituted a big change to their personal situation that they clearly knew, but didn’t disclose during recruitment, I would find it very hard to ever trust that person. That doesn’t just apply to pregnancy, but any thing that was withheld.
exhausted-pangolin@reddit
I mean that alone is enough to fire during probation or the first two years. You literally wouldn't trust that employee ever again. Nothing to do with the fact she's pregnant, it's the fact she lied.
OptimusLinvoyPrimus@reddit
If you fire someone during probation because they didn’t disclose a pregnancy, you are breaking the law. They are under no obligation to disclose their pregnancy.
exhausted-pangolin@reddit
No, you're firing them because you can't trust them. Being pregnant doesn't protect you from repercussions for being untrustworthy
OptimusLinvoyPrimus@reddit
I can promise you that you would lose an employment tribunal with that argument. It would be considered discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy and quite possibly sex (because a man can’t get pregnant so this would never happen to them).
It is illegal for a prospective employer to ask someone about their current, past, or potential future pregnancy status. There is absolutely zero requirement for a jobseeker to volunteer that information. Therefore, there has been absolutely zero deception. You must treat a pregnant applicant or employee in the same way as any other applicant. Firing someone because they didn’t tell you they’re pregnant is as clear and obvious an example of pregnancy discrimination as you will ever see.
CanWeNapPlease@reddit
But would you have hired them knowing they were pregnant and would need to go on leave in a few months? That's the dilemma. Unfortunately most people wouldn't hire her.
I know a couple going through IVF, her company knew this. She is now being made redundant due to outsourcing (along with many others so it was nothing to do with her IVF), but it was before she had the embryo transfer so she wasn't pregnant. She's now pregnant (only 2 months) because she's in her late 30s and didn't want to delay it months.
To make matters worse, her husband at a different company is also being made redundant. If they're lucky, he'll find another job in time and pass probation for paternity leave. But most likely she won't find another job before she's showing AND pass probation. Many companies also have further clauses about how long you've worked there before you're X months pregnant to be eligible for full mat paid leave.
Her job really fucked up their lives.
WhiteDiamondK@reddit
It shouldn’t affect your decision, but in reality, it would.
If this was an entry-level position (think shop assistant or receptionist) where loads of people could fit the criteria, then it’s likely sh would be down the list for recruitment.
If it was a senior or skilled role where this candidate had a specific set of skills and it was a career role rather than a job role, then it likely wouldn’t be as big a consideration.
CunningOctopus@reddit
I agree, it's legally ok but crap for the employer
poopyIittleslut@reddit
Legally it’s fine, but you should tell them.
JobAnxious2005@reddit
When they find out you’ll be managed out
Buddy-Matt@reddit
Not even that. They'll just be fired for "not being a good fit" with 1 week's worth of pay and zero references.
Managing out is only needed when the worker has been somewhere long enough to benefit from legal protections.
xomitsux@reddit
Someone who joined my company did not disclose the pregnancy during recruitment and after she joined the team she only worked for a month before going for a maternity leave. She did not receive any pay from the company since she just joined (only gov pay). We never seen her again.
Zealousidea_@reddit
The only thing I can say to this is it is grossly unfair for pregnant women to be thinking about this when seeking for jobs. This is 2026 and still pregnant women have to face this? And then we wonder why the birth rate is decreasing in the UK? Crazy.
fleurmadelaine@reddit
Having just had a drama when pregnant and starting a new job… I 1000% would not have got it if my boss had known. To caveat that… he was like one of the men from mad men so there was never a “good” time to disclose. I hope your potential job has better people. Good luck!
audigex@reddit
Legally they can't discriminate against you for being pregnant
In reality it happens all the time
The question is whether you want to start a new job with the awkwardness of either them being arseholes about it, or them being great about it but thinking you're untrustworthy for not disclosing it
If you desperately need the job, don't say anything
If you see this as a long term career I'd be honest and use it as a measure of the company
If it's neither here nor there for you, tell them because what do you have to lose?
Purple_Kidneys@reddit
Not always popular opinion but from an employer perspective, telling them is the right thing to do.
If they are hiring for a role it's likely they need someone in that role, not hiring for the fun of it. If you get the role then most of the time you start a month later (due to resignation periods etc). Now for you to start and do 3 months, then be off on maternity for potentially 12 months (not sure of your maternity plans here tho).... that employer doesnt have anyone in the role they needed you for.
If you are decent enough for the job to be offered it, and you are looking for long term with this company, then you need to trust them in making the right decision.
If they say no because you are pregnant, then is that really a company you want to work for?
CanWeNapPlease@reddit
You're contradicting yourself.
"Now for you to start and do 3 months, then be off on maternity for potentially 12 months... that employer doesn't have anyone in the role they needed you for."
Vs
"If they say no because you are pregnant, then is that really a company you want to work for?"
So which is it? Are you defending the company for refusing to fill the role with a pregnant person because they'll be off soon? Or are you defending the pregnant person to suggest avoid working for a company that wouldn't hire them because they're pregnant?
Purple_Kidneys@reddit
Neither, there is no contradiction, they are separate points.
I havent given my opinion in there, I have given different scenarios.
We do not know all the details, maybe the employer doesnt mind, maybe they are the best candidate and its a decent employer that is happy to wait, maybe they arent the best candidate and dont get the job either way, or maybe its an employer that decides not to hire pregnant people. We have no idea, but was pointing out why in my opinion, employers need to know. What happens after that is employer/employee/position dependant
Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit
I don't think I'd be happy to keep that secret. You are essentially taking on a new role that you won't actually be doing more than a few months, before they have to replace you anyway. That would make me frustrated if I was managing the situation.
It would be fine if you were kind of a few weeks pregnant because it can be easy to not even know.
I'd be honest and see what happens.
baeworth@reddit
No you don’t have to, aren’t obligated to and probably shouldn’t.
If I were an employer I wouldn’t hire you, it’s not beneficial to the company. So as a mother myself I’d tell you to stay quiet about it, because once you’re hired there’s nothing they can do as you’re legally protected.
Terrible advice from your HR family, they’re not looking out for you at all
Honey-Badger@reddit
Im wondering how protected they would be if they were under the probation period of employment.
Neddlings55@reddit
Under two years of serviced and you can be dismissed, so not 'protected' at all.
Cant be dismissed for being pregnant of course, but they dont have to have a reason or even go through formal procedures.
baeworth@reddit
Absolutely, getting a new job during pregnancy or even as a mother comes with you being seen as a risk, that’s just the sad reality
Neddlings55@reddit
Indeed. Mums and mums to be dont have sufficient legal protection imo.
Companies are extremely good at making sure they avoid unfair dismissal claims too.
mpjr94@reddit
Why are employers obliged to fund someone who isn’t working for them and who hasn’t previously done anything for the company? Where do you think the money to do this comes from?
sprucay@reddit
Just to confirm, is that still the case with the recent reforms that have happened?
I_want_roti@reddit
It changes from 1st January 2027 to 6 months. Effectively anyone hired from now will have between 6-10 months of service to get those rights now.
However, pregnancy related dismissal is automatically unfair so there's no time concerns.
sprucay@reddit
Sorry, I thought I saw something about changes recently
I_want_roti@reddit
The law has been passed. It's just officially implementing this element from that date.
In essence the two year rule is gone for anyone who's started a job since 2025
baeworth@reddit
There hasn’t been any law changes from what I’m aware, you’re still protected - for now
Neddlings55@reddit
As far as im aware, yes. You cant dismiss someone over protected characteristics, but under 2 years of work and you can basically be let go with no comeback on the employer.
Far from a legal expert though, just know someone who was let go late last year and this was what we found out.
nick_gadget@reddit
Classic HR - thinking of the company, accidentally revealing their own lack of soul. I bet they smiled nicely while saying it though…
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
That's literally the single most important role HR have. They are there to protect the interests of the company first and foremost. That's the whole reason for there being a HR.
nick_gadget@reddit
Of course. I just hate the way they pretend to have employees’ interests at heart. The only way that’s ever the case is if they happen to align with that of the business.
You’ve got to be a very particular sort of person to see laying off your friends as just a part of the job.
KatieCampbel1@reddit
Can’t really blame him though. That’s what’s been drilled into him for the last 40 years
RaymondBumcheese@reddit
“So as a mother myself I’d tell you to stay quiet about it, because once you’re hired there’s nothing they can do as you’re legally protected.”
This isn’t necessarily true. As long as they don’t mention the P word, they can get rid of her for a variety of reasons. For every wall, there’s a longer ladder, unfortunately.
baeworth@reddit
Yeah anyone can be dismissed during the probationary period for almost anything, BUT they have to make sure it’s absolutely an airtight reason ESPECIALLY because she’s pregnant. In many ways she will be more protected being a pregnant person than if she weren’t because it’s one investigation away from getting them into a world of legal trouble - so long as she is fulfilling her duties
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
No they don't.
"Sorry, we don't want to continue with your employment." is a good enough reason within the first two years.
donalmacc@reddit
They don’t. They just have to make sure it’s not for being pregnant. The reason can be “sorry your shoes clash with the company logo colour”, as long as they pay out your contractual notice period.
baeworth@reddit
Nah that won’t fly. They literally have to back it up because if OP or any pregnant woman were to claim is was unfair dismissal that’s a whole investigation. They’re going to need evidence, documents, written reports of verbal discussions etc. even the basic “you’re not a right fit for the company” that so many people get won’t be good enough, it’ll have to expand on WHY she’s not a good fit, and it sure as hell can’t be anything related to the pregnancy. Even if a pregnant woman is late a few times all she has to say it was morning sickness and she’s protected, whereas for anyone else it would be enough of a reason
donalmacc@reddit
In fairness, I was being silly with my suggestion as to why but; They really don’t - as long as they haven’t got written down “we should get rid of baeworth because she’s going to be out for a few months” it doesn’t matter.
They really don’t need to expand on why she’s not a good fit.
Right - all the more reason to not make any attempts to justify this. Lateness, absences, quality of work, output of work, relationship/interaxtions with coworkers or customers, can all be affected by pregnancy - so the solution is 0 paper trail and “thanks for joining us but I’m sorry to say we’re ending your employment. Your last day will be May 32.
will be in touch to talk about anything extra we need from you. Feel free to take the rest of the day as I know this is difficult to hear”. That’s it.
Buddy-Matt@reddit
They really don't. UK workers rights are still fairly bullshit at the beginning of employment. As long as they're not stupid enough to link their reason to OP's pregnancy there's no automatic right to an investigation of tribunal. Yes, people have still fought these things, but how many heavily pregnant/new mums want to be also fighting a long and potentially expensive legal battle?
Your initial assessment of it not being illegal to base their hiring decision off her pregnancy status is also wrong, and if they were stupid enough to say "sorry, but we don't hire pregnant people" that would be automatically unfair and discrimination too. However, as with the firing, they can just come up with a different reason.
I.e. if they're the kind of company to treat a pregnant woman unfairly, OP's no more protected by accepting the job, and possibly a little disadvantaged from the extra time it'll take to figure this out.
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
Legally protected from them using the pregnancy as the excuse to end your contract. But being dishonest isn't going to do her any favours, and they can use whatever excuse they want to end her contract within the first two years. All they have to do is not be stupid enough to give the pregnancy as the answer and she's legally out the job.
Honesty is best here.
Dull_Hawk9416@reddit
You don’t even have to give a reason for dismissing someone. And you keep saying it has to be “airtight”. No it doesn’t. You know nothing. It is 100% bad faith not disclosing things to an employer. It sets a tone if mistrust and if you can’t trust someone you can’t employ them
NumeroRyan@reddit
I disagree with you, I have hired people who are pregnant and not disclosed it until 3 weeks into the role. Although I was okay with it, lots of my peers and senior leadership were pissed off.
It’s a little dishonest in my opinion, and causes pain to then go back out to market for a temp role, likely causing more issues as temp or mat cover employees typically are less experienced.
But I also understand from a personal point of view if someone didn’t want to disclose it, but it’s sneaky to be honest.
Altixan@reddit
How pregnant were they? There is obviously a chance of miscarriage that is higher in the first trimester so I think women deserve a pass for not mentioning anything (when they might not have even told loved ones!)
BellendBuilder@reddit
I am an employer. I’d hire if she was the best candidate just for being honest. I’d find a way to fuck her off pronto and cover herself if she lied, with the assistance of HR to cover myself.
HR work for me. In the real world HR are there to protect the business not the employee. It’s great advice as her father in law has 40 years of experience putting business needs first.
miredalto@reddit
And you think working at a company where you are on everyone's shit list sounds like fun? This isn't just a faceless corporation affected. Getting hired into a presumably necessary role and then immediately disappearing is screwing over every person on that team.
Straight-Garbage-704@reddit (OP)
So many rude comments on this thread. They think I’m better off running my own business instead of stressing and working for a company. They dont have evil intentions jfc.
baeworth@reddit
I dont think they’re evil, but if this is the job you want then it’s bad advice - it definitely feels a bit sabotagey because they KNOW better than most that the majority of employers will immediately reject your application.
Also running your own business sounds great and all, but that’s a lot of work for someone pregnant and then a new mum
KatieCampbel1@reddit
In most cases, working for someone is money in the bank almost immediately. Running your own business is money leaving your bank immediately with no guarantee of a return.
KatieCampbel1@reddit
I can’t imagine running a business would be less stressful than working for a company
AromaticVacation3077@reddit
Whatever happened to 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'?
KatieCampbel1@reddit
Yes it’s bad advice. There’s probably other reasons they don’t want her to land this job.
julianAppleby5997@reddit
They don't want to be stuck with the baby while OP is at work??
KatieCampbel1@reddit
Possibly. Or the HR guy is worried about the impact it will have on his son
Honey-Badger@reddit
We have a new hire starting with a team next week, I look forward to training him up as I was part of the interview process and he seems like a nice guy. If however he was a pregnant woman, and it was obvious he would be leaving us in a couple of months and I would then have to pick up the slack....Yeah I dont think I would be at all happy with the situation and I would be cold at best to this new colleague
Excellent_Trvlr212@reddit
As a hiring manager who has been on the other side of this scenario, I would advocate for honesty. We extended an offer to a woman who was eight months pregnant, but did not find out until afterwards. I am a working mom with two kids and her lack of transparency affected the trust between us. I understand, though, that may also cost you a job…if that were to be the case, would you want to work somewhere that doesn’t support working moms?
ddbbaarrtt@reddit
You’re not going to make many friends going on mat leave less than 2 months into a new job and trying to hide it from them. Be honest as your in laws suggest
Sea-Ganache-4330@reddit
Yes… and if you have a probation period they will likely get rid of you then, however they can’t not give you the job because of pregnancy discrimination so if you disclose and don’t get the job after interview make sure they give a robust reason why you didn’t get it.
AdjectiveNoun111@reddit
I'm pretty sure you won't actually be eligible for full mat leave pay cos you won't have been at the company long enough.
Most businesses have a 6 month probation period which will end roughly when you go on leave.
Hiding this info won't actually benefit you in the long run at all, so if this is a job you care about just being honest.
If all you want is something to tide you over till you give birth then don't say anything, but don't expect them to keep your position open.
KatieCampbel1@reddit
Probation will not affect her legal rights. If she takes 26 weeks or less, she can go back into the same role with same pay and responsibilities etc.
anp1997@reddit
Very easy to sack someone during probation. You can easily find a reason to make it not appear like discrimination against her being pregnant
Scutty__@reddit
Even if you couldn’t find a reason to let her go early if the period was out on hold they can just say she failed probation for whatever reason at the end of it as well
Alive_Forever_9541@reddit
Totally agree with this. Don't lie. Don't hide. Be truthful or you'll never be trusted. Recruitment costs a lot of time and effort, including the mentoring and onboarding.
You don't know how desperate this company is. You don't know if they have the budget to hire, train, then pay maternity and then budget another hire, who they have to recruit again and train again.
If I personally invested a huge amount of time and effort into someone who was intentionally lying to me, I'd never forget that and would take it personally.
And that person, who had breached my trust would not pass the probation.
Please be honest and if you get the job, then it's the right job for you at this time.
cateml@reddit
As someone who was in the same position (disclosed pregnancy and got the job, I did a full comment elsewhere) - they are legally obligated to take her back at the end of the period. Any probationary period would be on hold during the leave.
But you are right, the only finance OP will likely be entitled to is statutory pay from the government, as long as she has been in paid employment or working while self employed already, for enough time in the last 8 months.
I think what is for the best will depend on how easy it will be for OP to find work for the next 4 months, how flexible she would like her return to work to be, and how easily she would be able to find other employment/work when she wants to return.
Traditional-Hat1927@reddit
What are you asking?
You WOULD be a lying cheat if you lied to the business and cheated them out of money/left them without an employee months into their new role.
Why do you think it’s fair to do that?
mpjr94@reddit
Because many people think money grows on trees and they deserve to have it dished out to them by company directors
TheSecretIsMarmite@reddit
People thinking of employers will say disclose it, but it's a good way of guaranteeing they won't hire you, which is hard when you need to pay bills and eat. They won't say it's because of the pregnancy because they aren't allowed to discriminate on those grounds, but you will always think it is.
I would say tell them once you have an offer in writing.
Redvat@reddit
If a man goes for an interview and has a pregnant partner at home, he wouldn’t disclose that.
It’s no different: - a man with a pregnant wife is at risk of potentially taking up to 50 weeks shared parental leave. - a pregnant woman is at risk of potentially taking up to 52 weeks off maternity leave.
Even if you tell them you are pregnant, they shouldn’t assume you are going to disappear for a year.
thespanglycupcake@reddit
A man who is about to take nearly a year off following the birth of his child would be in the same boat as a pregnant mother and if I were an employer, then yes, I would expect the same transparency as most on this post clearly expect of a pregnant mother. It’s not about being pregnant which requires the disclosure - it’s about disappearing for a year just after you have been hired to do a job.
Investigator516@reddit
Absolutely not.
yehsureokbuddyfine@reddit
We had someone disclose their pregnancy after signing the contract. They obviously werent eligible for any maternity pay. We laughed "oh well at least we've got a recruitment pack ready to go" (from hiring her) and just carried on. She did 2 months in the new role then went on leave, we got a 12 month fixed term contract in then she came back and cracked on. No point putting emotion into it. The business was resilient enough to cope with the disruption of having to train twice and the additional recruitment admin. It was a faff buy we understood why she did it, and most people in the company were parents themselves. It's just business, it would be hypocritical as a manager or an HR professional to take it personally and whine about lack of trust and good faith when management will make roles redundant and dismiss for business reasons too, good faith and trust in the employee doesn't matter then. It goes both ways.
For people saying they'll find a way to get rid of you in probation, on what grounds that's not linked to the protected characteristic of maternity? Theres nothing the employer can do. The service requirements for a tribunal claim that probationary dismissals skirt around are irrelevant when it's a EA2010 claim.
clbbcrg@reddit
I wouldn’t even bother going you not getting the job
CptDobby@reddit
When my wife was pregnant with our first she was looking for work and started out telling employers she was pregnant for the sake of honesty, she said she could see faces drop when she told them and they always found a reason not to hire her. She stopped saying she was pregnant and started getting invited for second interviews and eventually hired.
fotfddtodairsizr@reddit
This is the wrong place to ask such a question!! You are getting answers from every Tom Dick and Harry with no understanding of HR or employment law!!!
No do not tell them at interview stage. You won’t get the job if they know.
Once you start they can’t get rid of you because you are pregnant, that is discrimination. You as a pregnant woman are the most protected type of employee, they won’t be able to touch you unless you do something blatantly wrong and even then if they jump to fire you for a mistake it could be easily inferred that the real reason was due to your pregnancy and they would owe you tens of thousands of pounds as a settlement via ACAS or via the employment tribunal. Most employers won’t make such a dumb mistake.
Your in laws were working in a different world. There is not much human factor these days. Do what works best for you please OP. You do not owe them transparency about your pregnancy until you are ready.
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
I'd tell them.
If you get the job and then they later find out, they're not going to trust you. Being pregnant is protected in law, so that can't be the official reason they get rid of you. But let's be honest here, people can be removed from a job within the first 2 years for any reason they want. They could make up any sort of reason on the spot and be okay to do so. As long as they're not stupid enough to say the pregnancy is the reason, you'd have no argument against them.
You're better off just being honest from the beginning.
acceberbex@reddit
Personally, I'd tell then. Legally you don't have to buy if it were me, I would. If they don't hire me because of that, never mind. If they do hire me, they know I'll be going on mat leave (although you may only get stat mat leave).
Not telling them, getting the job and then announcing it - they can't just get rid of you but you may not pass probation and they'd be unlikely to offer you anything in the future. And if they do keep you, they have to keep your exact job open but they may be very unwilling to negotiate any change on your return if they felt you "screwed them over" by basically being in a job 3 months. That training time (from an employer point of view) would be better given to someone with a degree of "I'm here for a while"
windowlickers_anon@reddit
It depends on if you’re trying to get a job you really want (don’t lie, if they discriminate then you’ve dodged a bullet company culture wise) or just need a job asap to tide you over (lie).
I needed a job when I was pregnant so I just didn’t disclose. I wasn’t entitled to maternity pay, but I had the same rights to maternity leave and maternity allowance. The company was also legally obligated to keep my job open and make reasonable adjustments when I returned, which enabled me to work three days a week instead of full time when my baby turned 1.
Ended up loving the job and the company and did really well there, but if I’m being entirely honest I don’t think they would have employed me if they knew I was pregnant.
Bifanarama@reddit
Tell HR, so it's on the record, but ask them not to tell the people who are interviewing you etc. That's what someone did when I worked for a big public sector org.
Valuable-Assist-1351@reddit
Unfortunately, in this situation there is no winning for you. If you don’t disclose, they will likely be very pissed and fire you for some other reason that they can come up with anyway. If you do disclose, unless you are light years ahead of other candidates, they will undoubtedly choose someone else. The only job I’ve interviewed for that wasn’t offered was when I was obviously very pregnant. It’s an unfortunate reality
Comfortable_Rope6030@reddit
It would be incredibly Disingenuous of you to not disclose - not sure what role you’re applying for but employers recruit as they have a business need - It costs money to hire and train staff then to only stay potentially 3 months or less is going to have an impact on your colleagues and employer. If you take a year off they will need to replace you or the other staff will be left picking up the slack. I can’t imagine that will set the tone for a trusting relationship moving forward
casiothree@reddit
I’ve had to job hunt whilst pregnant before, I was rejected from every role I was transparent with, hired the first time I decided not to disclose.
Adorable_Piccolo_678@reddit
A lot of comments are saying that you don’t have unfair dismissal rights for 2 years. This is changing on 1/1/27 to 6 months. So if you commenced employment any time before 1 July 2025 you would have this right at 1/1/27. You have also got the protected characteristic of Pregnancy/maternity from the point at which you disclose it, which could be at the interview stage.
Some_Description_273@reddit
A few years ago I interviewed at a similar time in pregnancy. I was showing but I did dress for the interview in a way to not draw attention.
I didn't tell them until the job offer was made (I've seen some people commenting about when you legally need to disclose to your employer, but until they've hired you, they're not your employer). It may not have been the employer's preferred position in, but I had to protect my interests and my baby's interests - and that meant having a job!
The position I was in was that the baby was a surprise (very welcome) and my previous fixed term contraxt had ended. I may have felt more able to be open if I was just looking at changing jobs rather than being unemployed. But I definitely felt in a very vulnerable position and not one I would have aimed for if I'd been planning a pregnancy.
They got a maternity cover for my time off. I ended up working at the company for around 5 years and performed well for the company. I never had the conversation but I'm confident that if I'd asked as I was leaving, that they'd have said there were no regrets about hiring me.
The main issue was that I didn't feel safe enough to disclose it earlier, I wasn't confident enough that I'd be judged on my interview performance/CV alone and that there would be some bias playing into the decision. And honestly, these comments have reaffirmed that this is likely.
Good luck with whichever decision you make.
Sin_nombre__@reddit
Get advice on maternity pay from the citizens advice bureau. Also phone ACAS about this.
Pregnancy is a protected characteristic with regards to discrimination, but in reality its very easy to cover up not giving you the job because you are pregnant.
I wouldn't take the HR perspective on this, HR are there to protect the buisness not the worker.
My instinct would be to keep quiet.
Desmo_UK@reddit
Great way to start a new job. I’d be majorly pissed if I employed somebody and within weeks they wanted maternity leave.
Crazy_Potato_92@reddit
Had a woman do this where I used to work, she got hired and a month later told everyone she was pregnant, Honestly I agree with what she did (she wasn't as far along as you are), employers still discriminate and not hire you even though you are the best person for the job. A lot of people where mad and it did cause a bad working environment for her (everyone gossiping bla bla bla).
If you are showing then they will most likely be able to tell so telling them might give you bonus points for honesty.
ASpookyBitch@reddit
They can fire you during your probation period for any reason. Realistically you’re going to struggle to find a job that is willing to take someone on and give them maternity leave just a couple months after starting the job. Hell most places won’t even give you paid holiday leave if you’ve not ‘earned it’ until after your first year there.
Broad_Watercress1379@reddit
Absolutely not, it’s irrelevant and you legally don’t have to. Honestly telling them just takes you out the running for the role.
I interviewed for a role while pregnant and told them the day after I accepted the offer. I went on mat leave 3 months later :)
Simon_Says_2@reddit
So you know the legal position - that you don’t have to. If you really want the job and to work with the company on a long term basis I would be upfront about that, what your plans would be for maternity leave and the reasons that you have applied just now - long term benefit for both you and the company. Honesty at this stage with garner more mutual respect and allow them options of offering temporary positions to other candidates if they are aware of upcoming mat leave - meaning that the whole recruitment process doesn’t need to be repeated in a couple of months.
If it’s a job that you are applying for as a means to an end and you don’t see it long term then that’s less reason to tell them if you aren’t making an investment
-info-sec-@reddit
If they hires you, you'd have to declare it for workplace risk assessment and adjustments etc.
Sea-Hour-6063@reddit
I would disclose it, no question.
MiserablePool1725@reddit
If you want to stay in the company longer then yes, do inform them if it’s a perm role. If you don’t then - you’re honestly might always be questioned, you might not clear your probation period and have to look for a new job when you’re much further on in your pregnancy.
Altixan@reddit
I think this is the right answer. If you’re desperate for a job right now then who cares. If you’re invested long term then you need to build relationships.
Sea-Possession-1208@reddit
If you are visibly pregnant then say something.
Legally they can't hold it against you. However we all know that it would be a very foolish employer that records anywhere "candidate garbage was the best scoring but she was pregnant so we offered it to non pregnant person B". They would just score your answers lower.
If you can't hide it visibly then they will know. Whether you say anything or not. But they can't legally ask you about it. (And an employer that would mark you down if your said anything would also mark you down for being visibly pregnant). By being upfront about your plans you show yourself to be open honest and willing to have the difficult conversations - and to those to whom it doesn't matter that you are pregnant (it should be all, but let's be honest it isn't) - it will crushing not be a negative and might be a positive. And to those who do care - they aren't going to score you any less and might score you higher.
This is different for women under 15 weeks pregnant or who don't look it.
And is not legal advice, but practicality. Legally they cannot discriminate. But it doesn't stop it from happening.
BellendBuilder@reddit
Exactly this! That’s how I’d approach it in an interview.
ghosthud1@reddit
They’re not entitled to that information and it is not a legal requirement.
They will absolutely hold it against you.
Solid_Bee666@reddit
Legally the OP has to tell the new employer 15 weeks before the baby’s due date. Employer can formally request the MATB1 certificate so the OP’s knowledge of the pregnancy whilst going through the recruitment process will be obvious.
The OP doesn’t say that the job has been offered or an employment commencement date has been agreed - just that she is in discussion about a role and contract hasn’t been signed. The 15 week pre due date timeline is fast approaching and whilst the employer cannot ‘legally’ do anything about it if the OP fails to disclose her pregnancy during the recruitment process, they (and OP’s future colleagues) will form their own views on whether she duped them. Walking in the door as the new recruit and almost immediately dropping a MATB1 on the boss’s desk is a surefire way of making yourself the most disliked person in that workplace. Employer will have no legal recourse but as the saying goes, many roads lead to the same destination…
OP doesn’t state the type of role or size of the company, but at the end of the day, businesses recruit because they need somebody to fulfill a role - and the OP knows full well she isn’t going to be able to do that in the short to medium term. This could be a large organisation where, despite their need for the resource, the employer can still absorb the OP’s mat-related departure. Alternatively, it could be a small family-run business who desperately need the role filled to either kick on or survive, and the OP’s silence would absolute screw them. There is also the side of the coin that in selecting the OP, the prospective employer would likely be disregarding other candidates.
OP almost certainly knows the full legal position, she appears to be navigating the moral aspects of her dilemma. If she takes the role and discloses her pregnancy afterwards, then (just my opinion), I can’t see it ending well and the journey to the end will quite possibly be rather unpleasant. Who knows, maybe her skill set and personal qualities would mean that the potential new employer would view her as worth waiting for and will sign her up anyway? But, however good she is, if their early impressions of her are stained by an apparent lack of candour and transparency, then that’s going to be very difficult for her to overcome, both before she goes on mat leave and when she returns.
BellendBuilder@reddit
Regardless of discrimination, I’d get rid of you for dishonesty.
HR aren’t there to protect an employee they’re there to protect the business. Your dad would tell you that. I’d instruct them to be absolutely as maliciously compliant with every procedure and protocol to find me a reason to get rid of you during the probationary period so I’ve my burden of proof to show a tribunal already prepared.
It’s so difficult to prove discrimination anyway as most isn’t explicit. Like mine wouldn’t be.
The flip side to that is, if you were honest I’d be cool with it and plan on finding your replacement on maternity leave and most likely even pay you maternity as I’m a parent myself.
The whole “this shouldn’t happen” arguments mean fuck all in the real world when it’s so easy to do anyway.
Frescadeedle@reddit
As someone with a fair bit of public sector/ HR adjacent experience behind me, but also as a woman who cares deeply about fairness in hiring & employment, this comment section definitely swung the other way than I was expecting. Some interesting advice from the employers perspective here, but I'd also recommend the fb group Pregnant and Screwed for a slightly different perspective, and some advice on how to protect yourself (because HR are NOT there to protect you as a future mother, but to protect the company from risk. Full stop. They may do it with a smile on their face and compassion in their tone but will ultimately only make decisions that put the company first).
Maybe I'm just jaded, as I would love to believe that hiring can be as 'good faith' as this thread suggests (it damn well SHOULD be), but the reality is a lot of employers won't see things the same way, and you should be fully informed about the risks to YOU before you decide whether to disclose.
looooopedin@reddit
Disclose it at offer stage, before signing the contract.
That way they make the decision on whether or not to hire you and you know any rejection is not due to the pregnancy.
You disclose it at offer, and if they pull the offer chances are they would have been awful to you if you didn't disclose it until after the contract was signed. You can also potentially negotiate some sort of enhanced maternity at that point, and ask for any accommodations you need as a result of being pregnant.
Not been in this situation but I have disabilities and this is my approach when applying for jobs.
carboncopy404@reddit
In two minds about this. Legally you don’t have to but not telling your employer until after you’re hired is likely to leave a bad taste in their mouth and hinder your future prospects with the company.
We had a situation where we hired a lady for support rolling out a very big project. A couple weeks after she started she announced she was 20 weeks pregnant and would be going on mat leave right as the project commenced. So we were training her up to that point to not be able to help us with the very project we hired her for.
It put a lot of stress on the team having to absorb her work (which tbf, could happen just as easily with someone resigning), but it was the fact she knew she wouldn’t be able to support with the project when she accepted the job offer that ticked everyone off.
smallgreenpanda@reddit
Don't say anything. They legally can't take it into account so you only put them in a difficult position i fyou say anything.
Clean_Material_5047@reddit
Assuming they liked you and you’d get hired.
Assume you tell them: It’s likely they won’t hire you. And even if they do, you’re not going to be eligible for maternity pay anyway, and they could “change their mind” and fire you anyway.
Assume you do not tell them: You get hired and start working. They obviously notice but won’t fire you straight away as it would be too obvious. Meanwhile you get a wage at least for a couple of months. Then, they’ll probably find some excuse to fire you because you’re not going to be able to work for a long time, and it’s not even guaranteed you’ll come back anyway.
The way I see it, it’s more advantageous not to tell them.
Fatal-Eggs2024@reddit
Interesting discussion, I’m surprised that anyone feels that disclosing personal health or family status information is appropriate at all in a work setting. Pregnancy does not mean someone is unable to work, wtf people. As long as we’re disclosing, who warns HR that they like to go to the pub for a few pints? That has greater bearing on productivity.
everyoneelsehasadog@reddit
I'd say don't tell them. The market is fucking crap. I'm job hunting at 6mo pregnant and I just need some fucking work. I want to work. Employers are inundated with qualified applicants and they have their choice of who they hire. Don't give them a reason to hire someone else.
You legally need to tell them 15wks before you go on mat leave. If that's sign contract agree start date and then tell them, so be it. My work coach agrees on this. Don't give them reasons to not hire you.
As an aside, congrats on the pregnancy and good luck! If you're unsure of your entitlements to maternity allowance etc, give Working Families a call. Super helpful.
thecrius@reddit
You are showing and think you can hide it?
And that you'll "survive" probation after hiding it?
Is this your very first attempt at going for a job? I don't understand otherwise how you would think this is a sensible line of reasoning.
Bags_of_Blood@reddit
There's no obligation on you to tell them at this stage. It won't make a difference to any decent employer if you stick to your legal obligations.
I work in a professional industry where most people fully qualify in their late-20s to early 30s. A common feature is that women qualify, take a short holiday, find their first qualified role, and almost immediately go on maternity leave because it's their first real opportunity to do so, and they're around the right age. It's not frowned on at all, and they return after maternity with a healthy work-life balance.
HabitualDrunkard1993@reddit
I wouldn’t want to start off a new job on the wrong footing by not disclosing something as serious and impactful to the employer as a pregnancy, you could just be making things more stressful for yourself further down the line when you inevitably have to tell them IMO.
JustUseDuckTape@reddit
It depends on the role, the industry, and your plans. I'd lean towards telling them, but here are some things that sway it either way in my mind:
If you're hoping for a long term job - tell them. They will feel a little deceived and that'll hurt your long term prospects (even just subconsciously).
How badly do you need a job, and how badly do you want it to be this one? If you just need a paycheck then sure, don't tell them. If you think this job is something special don't risk ruining it.
How long are you planning to take off? If it's just the bare minimum recovery time then I can see keeping it to yourself.
How hard is it to recruit for? If its the sort of thing they spend months searching for the right person they'll probably be more patient. If it's just a case of filling seats with the bare minumum then telling them is more likely to hurt your chances.
What timescales does the work operate at, is three months going to leave you halfway through your first project, or is it more of a day to day thing?
No-Calligrapher-3630@reddit
I would not say at the interview but if offered the job disclose then. Then you know if you are discriminated against or not.
binaryhextechdude@reddit
Absolutely not. They are not allowed to ask if you're pregnant nor if you intend to get pregnant. To do so would be discrimination.
One-Subject111@reddit
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ffs
Scuba_Ted@reddit
I think it depends on the employer. If it’s a large corporate then I’d be less jnclined to tell them. They’ll have policies for this sort of thing.
If it’s a smaller employer tell them. If you turn up and say you’re pregnant on day one they’ll hate you forever and find a way to get rid of you during probation anyway.
Lenniel@reddit
Personally I would wait and see if you are offered the job.
However I do wonder the following: are you currently working? If not I don’t think you’ll be entitled to Maternity Allowance and you definitely will not be entitled to the new company’s maternity pay package (assuming it’s anything beyond statutory maternity pay).
As others have said, depending on what the new company is like you may find yourself effectively managed out upon your return. I’m assuming you’re applying for a full time position and you may want part time on your return, I wouldn’t put it past them to deny it on business grounds that. Type of thing.
That being said I had a friend apply for a job whilst on maternity leave and then tell them she couldn’t start once offered, although the baby was a newborn and she went back to work at 18/20 weeks so they didn’t have to wait too long.
soshnomore@reddit
You will legally have to tell them around 25 weeks (15 weeks before your due date) to qualify for maternity leave and pay. Would you be likely to start working there within the next 6 weeks?
veetmaya1929@reddit
Of course you should!
Urbanyeti0@reddit
Nope, get the job, sign the contract then tell them
Whilst legally they’re not allowed to use your pregnancy as a reason, if they’re looking at 2 equally competent qualified candidates and one is pregnant I’d bet they’d pick the other one every time
stupre1972@reddit
100%, I would not put time and effort into hiring and training you just for you to leave for an extended period of time - that wouldn't be the reason I didnt hire you, but that would be the reason
Based on that, you need to keep quite.
Equally - as others have said, if you want to stay in the company, then openness and honesty are absolutes. I will forgive most things, in a work environment, but dishonesty is a serious mark on your card and one I will hold against you until you have proven you can be trusted once more.
Hard choice to make and not one I would want to be in a position to make.
Jaded_Leg_46@reddit
You aren't legally obliged to tell them, pregnancy discrimination is covered under the Equalities Act. The general consensus is to formally inform your new employer 15 weeks before the due date with the week of the expected date with maternity leave dates. I think ACAS and TUC have advice and information on pregnancy and employment.
BlondBitch91@reddit
No you shouldn't.
Once you're in the job you can't be sacked for that due to the Equalities Act 2010.
If you're not in the job yet, recruiters can always find an Equalities-Act-compliant reason why not to hire you, and good luck proving it that it was your maternity status that lost you the opportunity. Usually just "the other candidate scored better" will suffice.
Alert_Ad_5750@reddit
You’ll still be in your probation period when you do have to tell them and they will just get rid of you with no strings attached because they’ll see you as deceitful and trying to do them over causing a lot of hassle and unnecessary expense when you’ve not even got any history with them at all. If you care about this job long term you should be honest with them about it. The best way to answer your question would be to know what kind of job/sector it is in and your long term goals.
these_metal_hands@reddit
I don't know what you could gain from telling them.
Legally, I don't think they could hold it against you, but it might push them to just find another reason not to hire you
SpectreSingh89@reddit
Yes. It is a tricky sorta situation.
Cultural-Ambition211@reddit
It’s not tricky at all. Don’t tell them.
They will 100% reconsider progressing and just claim another candidate was better suited.
AromaticVacation3077@reddit
Another candidate is better suited.
Glasgowbeat@reddit
I always think you should treat your employers how you would like to be treated, open and honestly. Would it leave a bitter taste in your mouth if they were withholding important information until after you signed a contract?
Buddy-Matt@reddit
Tell them. I agree with your parents that honesty is the best policy here.
Not telling them starts the relationship off on the wrong note - but at your expense. They could still fire you same day for a bullshit "its not working out reason", or the slightly less bullshit "failed to disclose relevant information at interview" and you'll have very little to stand on, but you'll have to go back for looking for work while even more pregnant.
Telling them now risks they'll pick a different candidate over you - technically illegal, bit insanely difficult to prove if they dont hire you and choose someone else. But at least you'll be back looking quicker. And if you're a good fit and they're not assholes, it also gives them more time to find maternity cover, smoothing the relationship.
In either case if they choose not to hire you, or fire you, its a bullet dodged. You just dodge it quicker by being up front.
Also, I believe under the new laws, assuming you qualify (must have been working 26 out of the 66 weeks before due date), you need to notify your employer 15 weeks in advance. By my maths, thats not far off of where you are now. Telling them at interview stage means they have that notice. Waiting until your first day may well be once the deadline has passed.
Moomoocaboob@reddit
You could ask them what their polices are for families and if they support working mothers. Some companies don’t allow flexitime or WFH and their rules on maternity pay / leave can vary.
You could gauge whether you tell them on their response.
reggieko13@reddit
If showing not telling might be tricky
KatieCampbel1@reddit
Might be a remote interview
Straight-Garbage-704@reddit (OP)
Yes, all contacts have been phone/video so far.
ErrantBrit@reddit
Maybe wait for the job offer and decide then?
BrickAcceptable4033@reddit
Exactly this. Disclose after offer and in the onboarding process
MaltedMilkBiscuits10@reddit
You need to tell them, as an employer id be pretty dissapointed if this wasn't disclosed as they'd have to immediately plan for upcoming maternity, work adaptions etc some job roles aren't suitable either to pregnancy and would result in you being unable to fulfil the roll.
CatsChat@reddit
The Trades Union Congress advises not telling at interview however think about when you tell them for maternity leave, risk assessments etc. “To take maternity leave you will need to tell your employer that you are pregnant by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due. You may want to tell them earlier to claim health and safety protection, or paid time-off for antenatal care. If you start a new job after the 15th week before the baby is due, you should tell your employer immediately that you start. Maternity Action has information about the effect of changing jobs on your maternity rights. “
Sleepyllama23@reddit
Is the new job in another company to the one you currently work at? If you move now you won’t get maternity pay. Have a look into the pros and cons of moving employers at this stage.
Sea-Still5427@reddit
I would be transparent, just acknowledge that it's happening and leave it at that. If they try to draw you into a conversation about it, let them be the ones to do that as pregnancy comes under the legally protected characteristics, meaning they're not allowed to discriminate against you for it.
gompgo@reddit
Imagine this is a critical hire and they need someone urgently. Where they would be if you don’t tell them? Do you expect to build a career there or just want a job until at some point they let you go?
After-Employment-474@reddit
So you don’t actually have the job or the job offer yet. So I would do everything to put yourself in the best position to get the offer first - and so don’t disclose it. Then when you hopefully have the job offer you can think whether you want to disclose it then. It still lets you be open and transparent, but you are in a slightly better position and it makes it harder for the company then then take back the offer.
littlehamster_@reddit
You legally have to tell your employer 15 weeks before your due date, so that typically works out as week 24/25 of your pregnancy. You don't have to disclose it at an interview and they can't do anything about it if you do get a contract then tell them at week 25.
Pythagorarse@reddit
I do agree with others that you shouldn’t tell them. But just thinking about it from the employer’s perspective: they obviously have a role they need to fill now so if you start and then leave for a year after a few months, that is going to be really annoying for them. It would be better if you agreed to start after your mat leave ~12-18 months from now so that they can get mat cover in now.
Spenny20@reddit
Don’t tell them. If they ask you, be honest with them but if they don’t ask you then leave it.
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