3.5 months pregnant interview for new job

Spamfree_2

You have to feel sorry for employers who have to pay a person maternity pay for however long, whilst paying someone else to do her job, keep the job open for the woman and wait until she decides if she is coming back at all.

No wonder they try and avoid employing women of child bearing age.

But none of that applies to the OP as the job isn't permanent. I think I'd keep quiet about being pregnant for a temporary contract.

maninthestreet

Almost 4 months pregnant, and you want to be considered for a new job with a 1 year contract? Exactly how many weeks in that year do you think you will actually be available to discharge your duties if you were offered the job?

Uniscots97

I'd say go for it and don't tell them, its hard enough out there without being pregnant and jobless. When I got made redundant we didn't have that worry, we spoke about it and I said it was maybe a blessing for us as I wouldn't have been able to enjoy it otherwise. If its only temp for a year you've got nothing to feel guilty about.

bargainbetty

Congratulations on your pregnancy, it sounds like the best thing in the world for you. However, I am going to be quite grumpy here, from an employers PoV and I'm sorry if this upsets you. However, it is kindly meant.

It is not discrimination to refuse a job to someone who, from the absolute start of negotiations, is fully aware that they will not be able to fulfill the terms of the contract for whatever reason. If a person applied for a year long contract but advised me that they had booked flights for an eight month sabbatical to begin four months into it, why would I hire them? This isn't a permanent job that you might return to, it is a contractual obligation that you cannot fulfill.

If you know you cannot fulfill the contract, I think you are being unfair applying for it at the expense of someone who could and the company that is expending resources interviewing you.

The reality is, you don't have to tell them, but good luck getting a reference when you withhold relevant information from them, sign a contract you can't stick to and then dump them in it three months in. It won't look good when you try to return to work.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose to do

Uncertain

bargainbetty wrote: »

It is not discrimination to refuse a job to someone who, from the absolute start of negotiations, is fully aware that they will not be able to fulfill the terms of the contract for whatever reason.

Oh yes it is if pregnancy is the reason!

You may not agree with the rules (and you are not alone) but the law is clear.

Dangermac

mrsreynolds wrote: »

Hi All,

My current job finishes on 29th July this was a temp job for 4 months however i am nearly 16 weeks pregnant , i have a job interview for a new job with a year contract on tuesday i just don't know if i need to tell employer if offered job what rights i will have if any etc

any thoughts ideas please share
thank you

Many congratulations on the pregnancy.

It's no wonder that many employers are reluctant to employ femals of child bearing age.

If the role is permanant, I can understand keeping quiet about the pregnancy.

Given that the contract in question is a one year contract, which you know that you will be unable to fulful in its entirety, I think that it's a legal and moral disgrce that companies are having to deal with the type of situation.

It's about time the law was changed, and it's about time certain types of employees/applicants started to play fair.

I wholeheartedly hope you dont get the job.

DM

Murielson

My wife works in the Civil service where half of her department are on part time, due to give birth, have given birth recently etc and those who are still at work have to cover the workload.

When recently asked by her bosses what could be done to help in the area, several of the women said employ more men!!

Congrats on the pregnancy but you have basically declared an intention to ensure you cover up any physical sign of your pregnancy during interview etc and are now wondering whether you should refrain from stating the fact during interview. The fact you are covering up means you are aware that it may affect your chances but seem happy that the employer has to deal with it if not declared.

If I was your future employer I would be very impressed. I would give you a glowing reference when you finish or you would be top of the list for any permanent places that may become available due to your honesty and integrity when applying for this position at the outset.

Sky_

I think it's a personal moral choice. After all, many people take a fixed term post and continue looking for permanent work from day one! They are happy leave after a month or two and don't worry how their employer will cope.

However, I wonder if you would feel embarrassed and uncomfortable working there as your pregnancy became more obvious?

Personally, I'd apply then tell them about your pregnancy at the end of the interview. There's a slim possibility of you still being the best applicant and being offered the job.

Uncertain

Murielson wrote: »

If I was your future employer I would be very impressed. I would give you a glowing reference when you finish or you would be top of the list for any permanent places that may become available due to your honesty and integrity when applying for this position at the outset.

Ignoring your poor attempt at sarcasm that could throw up an interesting point.......

I'm normally the first to point out to people who claim that you "cannot give a bad reference" that it is a myth. I usually add that you can say anything you like providing it is true and not deliberately misleading.

However, in doing what you suggest, you would be encouraging a future employer to discriminate against the OP because of her past behaviour which was both perfectly legal and protected.

I wonder what a good lawyer could make of that?

jobbingmusician

OP, it is said that it's especially difficult to tell if a woman is pregnant if her bust is larger than her stomach.