New job whilst ttc?

[kirstyblue]

Really not liking my job and desperate to leave and find something new but obviously whilst ttc I don’t know if this is a good idea or not? I’m in the UK so I think that means you have to be in a job so long to qualify for maternity pay. Also I am due to start ivf in June so will need time off for appointments 😫 help!!

[destiny121]

Omg... im having the same thoughts. I had an interview today and think ive managed to get the job.... but im doing a frozen cycle next month so really not sure. I can inly say that we cant have our lives on hold whilst having treatment.... but say of we do get a bfp..... no maternity pay.... 😬😬

[kirstyblue]

Yeah it’s very difficult. Are you really unhappy where you are working now or can you stick it out? I’ve only been here since the start of the year but I’m really unhappy. Been ttc for a couple years now but this year ivf is finally happening.

[Pip89]

I often think the same... I’ve decided to stick it out for a few more months to see how my fet goes..

but (don’t quote me), I think you’d still get statutory maternity pay anyway? I only get that anyway in my job but I know others have great packages x

[Lilli79]

Hi kirsty I'd say depends where you are in ttc. If you're booked in for ivf or doing it now then I'd stick it out. If not then I'd look into changing - I always tell people not to put your life on hold waiting for pregnancy to arrive. You just don't know what will happen. Qualifying period for maternity pay is 26 weeks, but you may still get SMP if you change jobs and don't qualify. I think qualifying for SMP only means that you would get the standard government maternity benefit, which is about £140 a week at the moment. I'm not totally sure on this though so you could call citizens advice bureau who should be able to help. It might put your mind at ease to help you make the decision xx

[Lilli79 in reply to Lilli79]

Ps. I think that you only have to be in a job 26 weeks by the time you reach week 25 of your pregnancy (or 15 weeks from your due date). This is the latest time you are supposed to tell work about your pregnancy (most people do it after 20 weeks scan when you get your MAT1B certificate). If it helps I started a new job end of April 2017, started ivf in June and still worked out that I would be eligible for maternity pay

[Mifkipi]

I had been ttc-ing for 2 years and thought I couldn't stop my life so I changed jobs. The new job has been very stressful with a lot longer hours. Without knowing what's around the corner, I was referred to IVF literally 3 months into my new job (I was initially told that the waiting list was 2 years!). Given the long hours I am already working, my boss is rather accodomdating with the appointments (or rather I just stop caring about anything else and do what I need to do). It certainly has been very stressful and I can't advise you what best to do. I guess it depends on how much your current job is affecting you and make sure you read the maternity policy at your new company. Just remember the grass is not always greener on the other side (it can be). Just weigh up all the pros and cons before you make your decision. Sometimes the job may be worse than what you think of it given you are in the midst of it.

[Hidden]

It’s such a personal decision. I had wanted to leave my job for a while but I had been holding out for maternity leave. Then when that didn’t happen, I had a hard think and I left. I was lucky enough to be able to finance things for a while and I accepted that I wouldn’t get any maternity pay despite working there for over 8years but to me it was worth it. I took a break from work and started the IVF journey. For me, I had been putting things on hold for so long that I really couldn’t wait much longer. My husband was really supportive and I am so glad that I did it. Obviously sometimes a new job is just as stressful or even more but life is too short to be super unhappy in your job. Good luck! Xx