Advice re: discrimination at work while pregnant

sarahh112

Hi guys

I was wondering if anyone has experienced blatent discrimination at work whilst pregnant.

I am currently in the situation where a job has come up in the office where I work. I am currently doing the job (but paid at a lower level and lower job title) and am 22 weeks pregnant.

I asked my boss if there was any point in me applying (as I am pregnant) and he said that there was not but that he couldn't stop me from applying.

The interviews are in a couple of weeks and I don't go on Mat leave until the middle of October so it is not as if I would be going on Mat Leave straight away, and I was only intending on taking 4 - 6 months off anyway.

Is it really worth me applying for thist post knowing that I won't get the job and that they will find 'another reason' for not giving me the job.

Any advise greatly appreciated.

Sarah

morganb

Did he specifically say that you shouldn't bother applying because you're pregnant?

Are you a member of a union who could perhaps liaise on your behalf?

When I was pregnant, I suffered less obvious discrimination, but discrimination nonetheless as everyone then thought I couldn't possibly do my job efficiently and kept saying 'Oh, but you haven't done that yet have you', i.e. for letters that needed sending out ... shut them up when I kept producing the letters which I HAD done and which they had already checked and countersigned ...

Mips

I don't think you have necessarily been discriminated against, but I think your boss shouldn't have made a comment that you wouldn't get the job.

Having a baby does not render you incapable of doing the job :rotfl:

Perhaps it is a post they need filling right away.. and isn't maternity leave now 12 months? Or 6 months?

thanksalot

Dippychick wrote: »

.. and isn't maternity leave now 12 months? Or 6 months?

Since you don't HAVE to take all your maternity leave, it is irrelevant.
Many things can happen to everyone in the work place, not just expectant mothers.
He is discriminating against you. But it will be very hard to prove especially if they find someone else suitable to do the job.
Good luck.

bandraoi

Your boss may not be the one who decides who gets the job and he has not stopped you from applying. You have not been discriminated against yet.

Apply for the job, at the moment the biggest thing stopping you is your own negative attitude by the sound of it:

quote]I asked my boss if there was any point in me applying (as I am pregnant)

Why would you ask such a question? Ask your boss if he thinks your capable of doing the role if you want some reassurance, but why would you ask if you'll be discriminated against?

Is it really worth me applying for thist post knowing that I won't get the job

You don't know that until you apply for the job and do the interview.

and that they will find 'another reason' for not giving me the job.

again y ou don't know that until you apply for the job and do the interview.

pinkshoes

sarahh112 wrote: »

Hi guys

I was wondering if anyone has experienced blatent discrimination at work whilst pregnant.

I am currently in the situation where a job has come up in the office where I work. I am currently doing the job (but paid at a lower level and lower job title) and am 22 weeks pregnant.

I asked my boss if there was any point in me applying (as I am pregnant) and he said that there was not but that he couldn't stop me from applying.

The interviews are in a couple of weeks and I don't go on Mat leave until the middle of October so it is not as if I would be going on Mat Leave straight away, and I was only intending on taking 4 - 6 months off anyway.

Is it really worth me applying for thist post knowing that I won't get the job and that they will find 'another reason' for not giving me the job.

Any advise greatly appreciated.

Sarah

I advise you to be more positive, as on the basis that in your original post you have written 4 very negative statements (in bold), it implies you're perhaps a bit of a pessimist, seeing things in a negative light, and might not be the best person for the job if you're already doubt and looking for reasons why you might not get it.

If you really want this job, and are ready for it, then go for it, but change the attitude to a positive one if you want them to seriously consider you.

belfastgirl23

I would deffo apply and ask them to justify not giving me the job...

WorkingHardDFW

Apply for the job. You've got every right and the law prevents you being discriminated against merely because you are pregant. The fact that you are pregnant should not make any difference to the reason why they appoint. They might not appoint you for other reasons but they should be able to explain why. I recently interviewed someone for a position and they were 4 weeks off giving birth. She didn't get the job but for valid and justifable reasons.

When you apply find out how many people are shortlisted and if you don't get the job they ask for verbal and written feedback.

Go in with a positive frame of mind and give it your best shot! Good Luck:T

completelyspent

Have you had good appraisals in your current job and have they recorded that you've met targets etc? If you've been doing a good job and meet the person specification and relate your application to that you'll get a good interview. If you prepare well and are positive and answer the interview questions well then provided there isn't someone with more experience or some who can 'add value' in a different way, you should have a very good chance of being appointed.
If you've not been meeting targets and have had poor appraisals then the fact you are pregnant is pretty irrelevant

completelyspent

To add to my post...it's irrelevant as long as the appraisals have been pre-pregnancy and have been a fair assessment..

Gem_

I started a new job this week - as a temp to fill the gap after the post holder left. I am 9 weeks off giving birth but this is certainly not going to stop me agressivly going for this post when it gets advertised as a perm position in a few weeks.

Knocked up women are still the same fantastic members of the workforce they were before they started doing their 'second job'

The only thing that will stand in the way of your application, and of you getting the job, is a negative attitude. Keep pointing out to your boss, and everyone else in the team, how well things are going/ how much you are enjoying the job/ how much you are looking forward to taking the role forward etc etc. If you don't make yourself believe that you are fantastic at this job and that they will be lucky to have you - how on earth do you think you can convince an interview panel!

Go you!