Job doctor

“I am a senior regeneration project officer and have just found out that I am pregnant. I am worried about how to broach the subject with my line manager, as we do not get along very well. I am also concerned about what effect being a mother-to-be might have on my career prospects. I have recently embarked on an important project for my employer and have a lot of responsibility.

How should I handle all this?”

By dealing with your pregnancy effectively, your employer will be able to retain knowledge and skills that they would otherwise lose at great cost. First, explore your maternity rights to leave and pay. There are many sources of information – employee handbooks, human resources teams, unions, the Department for Trade and Industry, and a number of websites.

You have the right to paid time off for antenatal care, the right to paid maternity leave of 26 weeks and the right to return to work after this maternity leave. All this applies from your first day as an employee. But if you have worked for an employer for 10 months or more by the time your baby is due, you will be entitled to extra maternity leave. Some employers are more flexible than the law requires, so look at any family-friendly policies yours has.

Then approach your manager informally as soon as possible. Be confident, don’t forget your rights, but also look into the practicalities of how your position can be covered during your maternity leave.

This will help your manager and reassure you that your project won’t fail.

You do hear horror stories about pregnant women becoming “second-class” employees. But during your pregnancy you should be allowed to keep the same role – provided there are no health and safety risks – and to return to it, unless this is genuinely not possible.

In that case a suitable alternative should be offered. It’s illegal to deny you opportunities for career advancement.

If possible, keep in touch with your manager during your leave, and keep them informed of your proposed date of return.