Declaration of pregnancy for job application

digitalphase

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I'm the same with disability issues. I ought to be able to get paid time off for my hospital appointments as per work's rules but instead I take a day's holiday or juggle things some other way. I do it because I don't think it's fair to do otherwise.

Sorry, not being mean, but there's an expression 'more fool you' that springs to mind here.

Uncertain wrote: »

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

Just that they wouldn't be too pleased, but would get over it if the employee proved worthy. You can read into things too much, you know


OP - I took on a temporary job at a supermarket over Christmas and New Year last year, when I was about 12 weeks-ish pregnant. Having had a miscarriage before, I was very cautious about mentioning it to anyone but close family. I didn't mention it at all in my interviews, as it was not something that affected my ability to do the job.

I was about 20-ish weeks when I came to the end of my contract, and was asked about staying on and whether I could do any hours. Only a select few of us were asked out of about 20 temps. I said yes, but chose to tell them then that I was pregnant, as I'd need to go on maternity leave at some point.
They didn't renew my contract. I think it was due to the pregnancy, as they were very keen to keep me up until that point.

fiddlesticks

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

my child was at the top of my priorities, not my employer..

That's why i would never employ anyone with kids. Your job should come 1st. But then i'm not an employer so it's a moot point.

When I had a job, I was severely narked off with the perks parents get over the childfree.

t0rt0ise

digitalphase wrote: »

Sorry, not being mean, but there's an expression 'more fool you' that springs to mind here.

Or knowing which side your bread is buttered. Temp contract trying to impress for if a permanent one comes up. A company can follow the law but they don't have to like you.

MrsManda

fiddlesticks wrote: »

That's why i would never employ anyone with kids. Your job should come 1st. .

Your job should come first? Really? So if your parent/partner/twin sister was severely unwell you wouldn't take time off if it inconvenienced your employer? What about donating a kidney to save a close member's life? Would you not do it because it'd mean taking time off work?

I know these are extreme examples but surely everyone is entitled to a work/life balance and the world would be a sad place if the main priority of everyone is to keep their employer happy.
Of course you should try to come to an agreement where everyone is happy but that often isn't possible and you have to make a judgement based on your personal priorities.

Jarndyce

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

An employed woman need not reveal her pregnancy to her employer until after the 15th week.

A job applicant need not reveal it at all.

Wrong again.

Not the 15th week of pregnancy but the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth - so the 25th week, usually.

paddyrg

Stepping away from the flag-burning and name-calling for a second...

As a recruiter, you come to me and tell me you really want the job and I tell you all the projects we have on right now, and why we need an extra pair of hands, so are recruiting. We get along great, you start, we train you, then you tell me you are leaving in a few weeks for half a year of maternity cover. Whilst pleased for you and your family, wouldn't I feel justified in feeling a bit betrayed and used? If you know of a reason you can't do the very thing you are being brought in to do, wouldn't a bit of upfront honesty be fairer on both parties? Otherwise you will come back with all new priorities, lack of sleep, etc.

How about saying upfront 'I am looking at this as a lifelong career, it is a job/sector I love, and know I could bring a lot to the company - but realistically I am trying for a family just now - if you agree I am a good match for the company, can we work something out?', or something like that? It is less underhand, and I assure you not all bosses/HR departents are monsters. Many will understand and appreciate the candour, wanting to get the relationship off on the right standing. It will depend somewhat on the job and company - for instance if it involves chemical handling it will be different from a data entry job.

Why be honest and frank with an employer? Because you will spend more hours with your colleagues than your partner in most jobs, so a good relationship is vital. Seeing your employer relationship as adversarial from before you even go for interview does not bode well.

magenta22

Annisele wrote: »

I think the point is that at 8 and a half months pregnant, you might as well tell the employer because they'll know anyway.

If it's not obvious, don't tell them. If it is obvious, you still don't have to tell them.

Exactly what I meant. If it's obvious to look at you that you are expecting, no you don't have to say but they are going to notice.

fiddlesticks wrote: »

That's why i would never employ anyone with kids. Your job should come 1st. But then i'm not an employer so it's a moot point.

When I had a job, I was severely narked off with the perks parents get over the childfree.

Don't agree with you there, your family should come before your employer. Your employer doesn't think about you when they are making cuts no matter how loyal you have been to them - believe me I should know, I was loyal to a company - it counted for nothing, so I would never now put an employer before myself or my family.

Yes there are some people who take liberties when it comes to children and needing time off but don't put all parents in the same mould, they are not all like that.

SHIPSHAPE

paddyrg wrote: »

Stepping away from the flag-burning and name-calling for a second...

As a recruiter, you come to me and tell me you really want the job and I tell you all the projects we have on right now, and why we need an extra pair of hands, so are recruiting. We get along great, you start, we train you, then you tell me you are leaving in a few weeks for half a year of maternity cover. Whilst pleased for you and your family, wouldn't I feel justified in feeling a bit betrayed and used? If you know of a reason you can't do the very thing you are being brought in to do, wouldn't a bit of upfront honesty be fairer on both parties? Otherwise you will come back with all new priorities, lack of sleep, etc.

How about saying upfront 'I am looking at this as a lifelong career, it is a job/sector I love, and know I could bring a lot to the company - but realistically I am trying for a family just now - if you agree I am a good match for the company, can we work something out?', or something like that? It is less underhand, and I assure you not all bosses/HR departents are monsters. Many will understand and appreciate the candour, wanting to get the relationship off on the right standing. It will depend somewhat on the job and company - for instance if it involves chemical handling it will be different from a data entry job.

Why be honest and frank with an employer? Because you will spend more hours with your colleagues than your partner in most jobs, so a good relationship is vital. Seeing your employer relationship as adversarial from before you even go for interview does not bode well.

As a recruiter you can feel what you like.

She need not tell you, full stop.

an9i77

I wouldn't risk it - when I was offered a perm job (during my temp contract) and found out I was pregnant the next day I certainly didn't risk mentioning it to my employer just in case they found some way to withdraw the offer. I was 99% sure they wouldn't (apart from anything else I work in HR so my manager would know that I know the law etc) but that 1% doubt stopped me saying anything at all before I got the contract in black and white. Maybe if more ladies were to risk coming clean as the poster above suggests, they would find their fears unfounded but who would honestly want to take the risk, especially with the job market as it is at the moment? As to the suggestion that you put your employer before your family, well I have seen many occasions where loyal employees get chewed up and spat out by the companies they work for, when the chips are down in life your family will be there for you but to most employers you're just a commodity.

digitalphase

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Or knowing which side your bread is buttered. Temp contract trying to impress for if a permanent one comes up. A company can follow the law but they don't have to like you.

Ah OK, I see your reasoning behind it now you say you're on a temp contract.

fiddlesticks wrote: »

That's why i would never employ anyone with kids. Your job should come 1st. But then i'm not an employer so it's a moot point.

When I had a job, I was severely narked off with the perks parents get over the childfree.

Good bl%dy job you're not an employer then :rotfl:

To have that attitude as an employer, is not only breaking the law, but it would also cause you to miss out on many thousands of us who have a lot to offer a job and are also parents.

My family comes first to me above every thing. A job is easy to replace, a family IS NOT.