Declaration of pregnancy for job application

Plans_all_plans

I didn't actually read it like that, to be fair. I thought they were just saying that the pregnant woman wouldn't win a popularity contest having taken a job knowing they were pregnant.

I can understand it from the point of view of a small business (it does cause disruption and recruitment costs can be really expensive) but in a larger scale business, these costs are more easily swallowed. The law is as it is for a very good reason, but it doesn't mean those in small businesses have to like it.

clairec79

The OP hasn't even said it's a permenent job - would those of you saying she's deceiving the employer still feel the same if this is a 3 month contract she's applying for at say 8 weeks pregnant? (ie christmas cover in a shop, lasting only until first week of January) so the employer wouldn't be bothered by her going on maternity leave as she'd still be midpregnancy when the contract ended?
A situation like that I would say don't mention it as it doesn't affect the employer, if this is a year contract and you want to finish for maternity leave in 3months time then I'd say you shoud mention it.

Legally though you don't have to

Uncertain

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

I didn't actually read it like that, to be fair. I thought they were just saying that the pregnant woman wouldn't win a popularity contest having taken a job knowing they were pregnant.

Ah but what does that mean?

No Christmas card?
No bonus?
No promotion?

or

Sacked on a pretext when the firm think they can get away with it?

Plans_all_plans

Well either I'm too nice a person or hopelessly naive (!!) - as I would never have thought anyone would be so blatant as to leave someone out of Christmas cards etc.

I do see what you mean now. I was thinking more along the lines of "the bosses would have a bit of a b1tch between themselves that you're coming in and going on leave shortly", but that to your face they'd be sweetness and light!

t0rt0ise

Uncertain wrote: »

"As a small business, this would be a major major pain in the bum to us and we wouldn't be happy. We'd comply with the law, but we wouldn't like you much."

What you appear to be saying in the sentences I've highlighted is that you would discriminate against the lady providing you felt you could get away with it!

Gosh. What a strange interpretation of that sentence.

Uncertain

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Gosh. What a strange interpretation of that sentence.

So how would you interpret an employer saying "but we wouldn't like you very much"?

an9i77

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

No you don't have to tell them. I should think they wouldn't be able to ask you anyway.

I took a job when I was 4 months pregnant. I told them 6 weeks into the job. Yes, I felt a bit 'off' telling them but at the same time, my child was at the top of my priorities, not my employer. I'd have had to throw myself on the mercy of the state otherwise! No-one would have benefitted if I'd done that.

OP, don't worry about it. I had purposefully applied to companies I thought would have family friendly policies etc and when I told them about my pregnancy, they were absolutely wonderful.

When I returned to work after 5 months maternity leave, I was promoted and got a 4k payrise. I honestly cannot tell you how supportive everyone was.

Best of luck.

I also found that everyone where I worked was very supportive when I told them I was pregnant (having only just accepted a perm contract after initially taking a 3 month temp role). Everyone was happy for me and just got on with life really. It wasn't that big a deal. Yes they had to get someone in to cover my role but I was never made to feel like I had done something wrong or been a burden. People had more important things to worry about! Not every boss thinks like some of the posters in this thread would make out!

mountainofdebt

So it would be no hassle to the company to restart the recruitment process and training process again to cover the maternity leave and then having to deal with a stroppy mother afterwards who believes it is her right to have flexible working arrangements.

Personally I bet that would be the last time a woman was employed by that company!

an9i77

mountainofdebt wrote: »

So it would be no hassle to the company to restart the recruitment process and training process again to cover the maternity leave and then having to deal with a stroppy mother afterwards who believes it is her right to have flexible working arrangements.

Personally I bet that would be the last time a woman was employed by that company!

Wasn't sure if you were asking me mountain, but I am going to answer anyway. Of course it would be a little hassle, but in the grand scheme of things probably no not that much. Not enough to make the majority of bosses think I am never gonna hire a woman (50% of the population!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:) again. Obv I don't know what the OP's employer was like, but from my experience, no I don't think it is as big a deal as you like to make out. And as for the stroppy mother line, who said she was gonna request flexible working and that she believed it was her right? You're making this up now.....

SHIPSHAPE

Uncertain wrote: »

Gosh. What a strange interpretation of that sentence.


So how would you interpret an employer saying "but we wouldn't like you very much"?

Uncertain is a space cadet, just look back on other previous bizarre postings!:eek: