Pregnancy & Job Interview

[Ban Hammer 14,279]

Sidenote:: now I have that meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee annnnnnnnnnnnnnd Mrs...Mrs Jooooooooooones song in my head

as calvin once said in calvin and hobbs........it's psychosomatic. i'll get a saw

[Caladan 19]

While technically they can't deny you a job just because you're pregnant, that would be next to impossible to prove unless they are dumb enough to put that as the reason in writing.

They're not legally permitted to ask, so don't volunteer it. But if you're showing, chances are they'll figure it out. Not too much you can do; a job that couldn't deal with the fact that women get pregnant is probably not the best job for a working mother, anyway.

It is going to be hard to switch jobs while pregnant, because many companies don't want to take on someone they know is an immediate cost before they know whether she's a benefit. (Why this never comes up with hiring fat men who are heart attack candidates is left as homework for the audience....)

But, you know, tough tookus, you need a job, and while it's harder, lynamom has the right idea.

[Nessa 23]

But if you're showing, chances are they'll figure it out.

Yeah I was wondering if the OP is showing. How many weeks?

Edited April 21, 2007 by nessaandcharles

[Caladan 19]

I think she said 13 weeks, so she's probably not showing, and there's her excuse: it's still early. If she gets hired today, she'll work for five months before needing any time off.

Plus, lots of my friends don't mention they're expecting until 16 or 20 weeks in, once they're past the early miscarriage window. No legal need to tell an employer in any case; no ethical need if it's early enough you wouldn't tell the neighbors, y'know?

[Nessa 23]

no ethical need if it's early enough you wouldn't tell the neighbors, y'know?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd wait until the interview process is through and then if they offer you the job, I would let them know at that point, giving them the opportunity to reconsider their offer.

[ace13 0]

They may not legally have the right to ask, but IMHO it is deceitful and wrong to take a full time permanent position when you know that you will be leaving in 5 months. She will barely be trained which costs any company a lot of money and then she will quit. It is wrong and anyone that doesn't think so is self centered.

[homesick_american 1]

They may not legally have the right to ask, but IMHO it is deceitful and wrong to take a full time permanent position when you know that you will be leaving in 5 months. She will barely be trained which costs any company a lot of money and then she will quit. It is wrong and anyone that doesn't think so is self centered.

I'm with you on this. Most employers would not be amused by a situation like this and some of them would find a reason to get rid of you later. In some industries people do talk, and even in big cities you can run into old "friends" at new jobs. It is selfish and deceptive in spirit, even if it's legal on paper.

To the OP, I'd recommend toughing it out until after the baby is born...then you won't have to lie or cover up anything. Also, since you are looking to move into a new field, I would not start off this way. I wouldn't take kindly to a career changer leaving 5 months after starting a new job to have a baby. A LOT of women don't come back for years, if they ever come back. You can say you will, but after keeping something like this from them...would they believe you? Should they?

[Fandango 1,440]

They may not legally have the right to ask, but IMHO it is deceitful and wrong to take a full time permanent position when you know that you will be leaving in 5 months. She will barely be trained which costs any company a lot of money and then she will quit. It is wrong and anyone that doesn't think so is self centered.

I'm with you on this. Most employers would not be amused by a situation like this and some of them would find a reason to get rid of you later. In some industries people do talk, and even in big cities you can run into old "friends" at new jobs. It is selfish and deceptive in spirit, even if it's legal on paper.

To the OP, I'd recommend toughing it out until after the baby is born...then you won't have to lie or cover up anything. Also, since you are looking to move into a new field, I would not start off this way. I wouldn't take kindly to a career changer leaving 5 months after starting a new job to have a baby. A LOT of women don't come back for years, if they ever come back. You can say you will, but after keeping something like this from them...would they believe you? Should they?

Actually, these two opinions have swayed mine. I never looked at it from an employer POV.

[Kiv 32]

Congratulations for your pregnancy.

I think that is right to be honest and tell them.

Maybe they won't even care, but if they do it may not be the right place to work having a new born any way.

[Aymerlu 3]

Everyone is right in saying that they can't hire you because your pregnant. But, if they don't hire you and you told them you are pregnant how can one even prove the pregnancy was the reason?

[Caladan 19]

She's not quitting after five months, right? Just taking a leave and getting back to work? That's something employers have to accomodate, just as if she took the job and then got pregnant.

It's not self-centered to take a job knowing that you'll be taking unpaid leave in six months and then getting back to work. If the company assumes that because you're pregnant, you're quitting, they need to wake up and get with the program, because most American households are two-income households, and most families have children.

[CountryBoy 0]

Congrats on your pregnancy ..

My advice is this ..

If there is a question on the application asking about a physical condition that might affect your ability to perform your duties then definately tell them.

If a question is asked at interview time that makes you think of telling them, then don't hide anything.

If you think you will have a guilty conscious later about not telling them .. don't put yourself thru it.

Good luck, I hope you do what makes you feel the best about your decision in the end ..

CB

[one...two...tree 2,762]

She's not quitting after five months, right? Just taking a leave and getting back to work? That's something employers have to accomodate, just as if she took the job and then got pregnant.

It's not self-centered to take a job knowing that you'll be taking unpaid leave in six months and then getting back to work. If the company assumes that because you're pregnant, you're quitting, they need to wake up and get with the program, because most American households are two-income households, and most families have children.

Excellent point.

[j-manu 0]

Congratulations on the pregnancy.

As of now, you are only going for an interview and this does not guarrantee you a job. If they offer you a job, then before you accept it, you should let them know that you will need a short time off because you recently learned that you are pregnant. You will have to reassure them that you can do the job and that you want this job.

Good luck