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Would you tell a potential employer you are pregnant?

sammyjo1979
sammyjo1979 Posts: 107 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
Hi all

I'm in the process of being made redundant and have starting looking for work. Thankfully I have an interview lined up for tomorrow but I haven't told them or the agency I am pregnant (14 weeks).

I don't like being dishonest about it, but also I don't want to be discriminated against, which I know shouldn't happen, but sadly does.

Any advice would be gratefully received :)

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Comments

  • woody01
    woody01 Posts: 1,918 Forumite
    Most people wouldn't.
    However, and before anyone jumps on my back, i know i shouldn't think this way, but it's AMAZINGLY irritating when an employee joins and becomes pregnant, or is already pregnant when joining.

    From an employers point of view, there are 2million unemployed, i chose someone who is what i am looking for, and 'Hey Presto', they sod off for 9 months or more.

    I have to pay for someone that is not at work, i still need a role filled, and i am no further forward.

    If you decide to keep it to yourself, don't be too suprised if your co-workers aren't your biggest fans when you return to work.

    BTW......if you are only just about to join, you won't get maternity pay anyway.
  • Any
    Any Posts: 7,956 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Ouch.... so the agency will get x thousands of £ for your placement from your new employer who will just be looking again and pay x thousands of £ to either replace you (only if you leave as I doubt they will suck you for fear of discrimination) or to get temporary cover....

    This is extremely difficult situation... on one side, it is highly unfair on the new employer and on the other it is highly unfair on you...

    I hope all works out for you.
  • Mini_Bear
    Mini_Bear Posts: 604 Forumite
    Hi OP. Are you planning to return to work after the birth or do you think it could be 9-12 months after? My reasoning would be if you were lookin to make a reasonably swift return to work then that would count in your favour.
    As an employer i would be concerned about you having to take time off pre-birth ie at 7 months pregnant because working full-time became too much.
    I assume this job is full-time? could you not look for part-time stuff which may work better once babys born anyway? Godd luck whatever you decide!
  • Uncertain
    Uncertain Posts: 3,901 Forumite
    Hi all

    I'm in the process of being made redundant and have starting looking for work. Thankfully I have an interview lined up for tomorrow but I haven't told them or the agency I am pregnant (14 weeks).

    I don't like being dishonest about it, but also I don't want to be discriminated against, which I know shouldn't happen, but sadly does.

    Any advice would be gratefully received :)

    My view is that you should keep quiet.

    I'm a law abiding citizen (like you I'm sure). Several times recently I have felt restricted by what I consider to be wrong or pointless laws. However I have dutifully stuck to the straight and narrow.

    On this occasion you will probably benefit from laws that many do not agree with. So it works both ways.

    Those that don't agree with the law can vote for somebody they feel will change it on May 6!
  • briona
    briona Posts: 1,454 Forumite
    Uncertain wrote: »
    My view is that you should keep quiet.
    But if you keep quiet and then have (lots of) time off for pregnancy-related appointments, you'll look like an unreliable employee – never advisable when you're on probation.

    The employer can't be accused of discriminating against the OP for being pregnant if he/she doesn't know that she is. The employer can however get rid of her (within the probationary period) for being unsatisfactory/unreliable/generally cr*p. ;)
    If I don't respond to your posts, it's probably because you're on my 'Ignore' list.
  • iamana1ias
    iamana1ias Posts: 3,777 Forumite
    woody01 wrote: »

    I have to pay for someone that is not at work, i still need a role filled, and i am no further forward.

    .

    Amazing how many employers forget that they get up to 105% of the SMP reimbursed by the government. If your maternity package is too generous for that to be of serious help, you should revise your policies. ;)
    I was born too late, into a world that doesn't care
    Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
  • jdturk
    jdturk Posts: 1,636 Forumite
    iamana1ias wrote: »
    Amazing how many employers forget that they get up to 105% of the SMP reimbursed by the government. If your maternity package is too generous for that to be of serious help, you should revise your policies. ;)

    Not every company gets that
    Always ask ACAS
  • Uncertain
    Uncertain Posts: 3,901 Forumite
    briona wrote: »
    But if you keep quiet and then have (lots of) time off for pregnancy-related appointments, you'll look like an unreliable employee – never advisable when you're on probation.

    The employer can't be accused of discriminating against the OP for being pregnant if he/she doesn't know that she is. The employer can however get rid of her (within the probationary period) for being unsatisfactory/unreliable/generally cr*p. ;)

    I meant keep quiet at the interview!

    Obviously she would tell them as soon as she starts work.

    But I think you knew that!
  • I think you should tell. I became pregnant the week I started a new job (accident) and it was horrible; not the pregnancy, but the atmosphere. Everyone there was fairly disapproving of it (as I would have been if someone had been taken in to a good job and was pregnant straight away)

    I didn't cause anyone any problems but it did not make me very popular with the boss either. I spent my pregnancy on edge and working myself to the bone to try and prove myself.
  • Uncertain
    Uncertain Posts: 3,901 Forumite
    nemoo wrote: »
    Hypothetically speaking, if you are successful in your interview and offered the job only for the employer to then find out (from you) within a few weeks that you are/were pregnant at the point of interview, IMO it may start things on a shaky ground as you had clearly withheld an important piece of info and the employer may see it being a lack of mutual trust.


    No!

    As it would be illegal for an employer to discriminate against a pregnant woman they are not in any way disadvantaged by not being told (legally speaking)!
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