Would you tell a potential employer you are pregnant?

Uncertain

sammyjo1979 wrote: »

Well I rang the agency this morning to ask about the interview. Apparently I am no longer required for interview. They have selected 4 other candidates from elsewhere.

I have told the agency I find this very suspicious considering they were more than happy to see me last week! She says she has not told them, but she cannot force them to see me, which is true.

I did question her about having to tell them employer, she said she is fully aware that she doesn't have too. I gently reminded her that I have a text message from her telling me that she has to tell her client, that they wanted someone solidly for 2 years and and also that I am likely to struggle with getting a permanent job.

She hasn't come back to me as yet.

I don't think she has told the company, but I wonder if she has got cold feet about putting me forward. I guess it's something i'll never know!

So you had a definite appointment for an interview?

They postponed it due to sickness at their end?

You told agency you were pregnant (and have proof of this)?

Now they won't even interview you?

I would get yourself a lawyer!

Do you have legal insurance as part of your house or car policy?

If not then there is always the no win no fee option.

haughtonv

I started a new job in Jan & found out I was pregnant in March, Im now 14 weeks too & I have told my employer & they have been fantastic but I know exactly where you are coming from. Technically you are not obliged to tell your employer until 15 weeks before your due date when you have to by law. Good luck & congratualtions!!!! :j:T

sammyjo1979

Well, when I had to rearrange last week, which the agency said was not a problem as she knew they were interviewing this week.

The agency text me at the beginning of the week asking me if I was going to be free Thursday or Friday as that is when they were interviewing. I told her I was and also told her I was pregnant.

I have everything on text.

She has said that the company have got cv's from elsewhere and that they have told her not to submit anymore. My arguement with her was that they already had my cv and it was just about rearranging. She said she hadn't told them but she couldn't force them to see me.

cazzie_s

I began a job in 2008 and discovered I was pregnant and I was told I was under no obligation to tell my employer (others I have spoken to disagree with this). I became sick (as I did with baby no1) and my employer sacked me without giving me a chance to explain.
Having had my first pregnancy frowned upon at a previous job by management, I chose not to tell my new employer and as a result I suffered financially (I wasnt entitled to Maternity Pay and ended up with ESA - Employment and Support Allowance. A an earlier employer DIDNT pay my NI so wasnt entitled to Maternity Pay).
I think it really depends what company you go or wish to work for and how trusting/compasionate they are towards pregnancy. Companies dont always like to get into legal wranglings/discriminations unfortunately.
Personally I would tell a potential employer in the future if I was ever in that situation again due to the onset of depression which continued up to and beyond my pregnancy.

Uncertain

cazzie_s wrote: »

I began a job in 2008 and discovered I was pregnant and I was told I was under no obligation to tell my employer (others I have spoken to disagree with this). I became sick (as I did with baby no1) and my employer sacked me without giving me a chance to explain.
Having had my first pregnancy frowned upon at a previous job by management, I chose not to tell my new employer and as a result I suffered financially (I wasnt entitled to Maternity Pay and ended up with ESA - Employment and Support Allowance. A an earlier employer DIDNT pay my NI so wasnt entitled to Maternity Pay).
I think it really depends what company you go or wish to work for and how trusting/compasionate they are towards pregnancy. Companies dont always like to get into legal wranglings/discriminations unfortunately.
Personally I would tell a potential employer in the future if I was ever in that situation again due to the onset of depression which continued up to and beyond my pregnancy.

Well it seems to me you have suffered because previous employers have acted illegally (sacked you when they fond out you were pregnant and failed to pay NI). I appreciate it is not easy, but did you not consider taking action to enforce your legal rights or seek compensation?

jdturk

I think from the post the 1st employer sacked without realising that the sickness was due to the pregnancy and as such the poster looked unreliable....which to the employer is not great

Uncertain

jdturk wrote: »

I think from the post the 1st employer sacked without realising that the sickness was due to the pregnancy and as such the poster looked unreliable....which to the employer is not great

Maybe...

Although you won't agree (from a moral point of view) the employer would have a real uphill battle defending a discrimination claim on that one!

Although it probably isn't fair there tends to be a presumption of "guilt" in these type of cases and the employer needs to almost prove that they didn't discriminate. That is even before the employee swears blind that they told the employer and then the problems started!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending the situation or suggesting that pregnant women do the equivalent of look for a paving stone to trip over, just being realistic.

jdturk

Uncertain wrote: »

Maybe...

Although you won't agree (from a moral point of view) the employer would have a real uphill battle defending a discrimination claim on that one!

Although it probably isn't fair there tends to be a presumption of "guilt" in these type of cases and the employer needs to almost prove that they didn't discriminate. That is even before the employee swears blind that they told the employer and then the problems started!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending the situation or suggesting that pregnant women do the equivalent of look for a paving stone to trip over, just being realistic.

It's hardly going to be hard to defend a discrimination case if the employer did not know the employee was pregnant.

I don't think you are being realistic on this one, I think you are playing devils advocate and presuming the worst of pregnant women

Uncertain

jdturk wrote: »

It's hardly going to be hard to defend a discrimination case if the employer did not know the employee was pregnant.

I don't think you are being realistic on this one, I think you are playing devils advocate and presuming the worst of pregnant women

The trouble is the employer can't prove that (I know he SHOULD not have to but get real......).

I'm not tarring all with the same brush by any means but I've seen it happen!

liney

If the employer was not informed that the employee was pregnant, and they simply followed their Absence Management process they are not guilty of discrimination. If they were, employers could never sack a woman in case she turned around and told them she was pregnant retrospectively.