This query is just out of interest really. 
A friend of mine has just been offered a full time job by my employers but in a different location to the one I actually work in.  She is three months pregnant and has asked me not to mention this to anyone.  Unfortunately I have already told another mutual friend who I work with - she asked after the first friend and I told her as I was so pleased for my friend, she is desperate for a baby and she is not a youngster and has been trying for a long time.  I have asked the other friend not to mention anything but I am aware that we have already talked about our friend in the staff-room and someone might have overheard.  I do not intend to say anything to anyone as it's not really my business anyway but would my friend have any obligation to tell my employers that she is expecting - if not then presumably there wouldn't be a problem anyway once she has the job?
I hope that makes some sense   :)

Yes she is obligated to tell the employers, particularly if she is out of the first trimester (people normally keep quiet for the first 12 weeks as this is the danger time).  She is potentially going to be absent from work for 6 months to a year - they have a right to know.  Plus maternity rights are slightly different if you are only new in the job - for instance I had to be employed by my employer for 12 months before I could qualify for full maternity pay. 

Don't worry, legally she has to tell them and regardless, the companies responsiblity to her are laid out quite well for example if you look here;

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_10029290

For example she would not be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay through the company

You can get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks, as long as you meet the conditions.

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay you must have been:

    * employed by the same employer continuously (some breaks do not interrupt continuous employment) for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the week your baby is due

BUT she would be entitled to Maternity leave

Qualifying for Statutory Maternity Leave

As an 'employee' you have the right to 26 weeks of 'Ordinary Maternity Leave' and 26 weeks of 'Additional Maternity Leave' making one year in total. Provided you meet certain notification requirements, you can take this no matter:

    * how long you have been with your employer
    * how many hours you work
    * how much you are paid

You continue to be an employee throughout your Ordinary and Additional maternity leave.

I would just try to keep out of it.

Your employer cannot withdraw their offer of employment because your friend is pregnant, but she will have to notify them for Health & Safety reasons and would be subject to a Risk Assessment esp if the job entails any sort of manual handling etc.

> Your employer cannot withdraw their offer of employment because your friend is pregnant

Assuming of course that she answered any questions on the applications forms and during the interviews honestly.  I'm not sure if they are allowed to ask about pregnacy or not.

Thank you all.  I will stay well out of it, shouldn't be difficult as we don't have an awful lot to do with the other location.  Quite honestly I am amazed she has decided to go for a full time job as she is feeling exhausted all the time and has very bad morning sickness.  I don't think she has any intention of working once the baby is born - I will find out more when I speak to her tomorrow but will keep friendship and employment totally separate.