12 weeks pregnant and I have an interview - quick question

Shopaholic101

For months and months I stalked a particular company, waiting for a job to come up which excited me and in November I applied. I've since found out I'm pregnant, so assuming I would a) not be entitled to maternity leave/pay to the same rate as my current job and b) they wouldn't want to employ me, I told their HR team I was pregnant and thanks for the offer but as I'm pregnant I will have to decline an interview.

However, they came back and said being pregnant doesn't matter and they would still like me to apply. They have also sent me the maternity policy, which has no "qualifying period" for full pay and leave etc, which is better than my job! (I get 12wks full, they get 30).

So my question is, have I blown it? Would you/have you ever employed someone who is known to be pregnant (you can't see yet). Is there anything they can do if they make the offer and HR haven't passed on the message?

Am I protected in anyway? I.e they can't take my pregnancy into account when deciding who is best for the job?

Im preparing like mad to be the best at interview, as this is my dream job, it's just such bad timing :j

looby75

perhaps the fact you where honest with them has impressed them and your persistence shows you would be a good employee who really wants to work for the co so they are willing to still employ you despite you having to have a maternity break.

Shopaholic101

looby75 wrote: »

perhaps the fact you where honest with them has impressed them and your persistence shows you would be a good employee who really wants to work for the co so they are willing to still employ you despite you having to have a maternity break.

I hope so!

When they do the interviews I know they can't ask certain things and take certain things into account, like not hiring me because I'm young and female. Does pregnant count?

I guess they could just make up any reason and I'd never know

Will give baby early exposure to interviews - it will be able to hear by then! :rotfl:

redux

Impress them anyway. Who knows, if they don't offer you a job straight away they might keep your details on file for later, like for anyone whether pregnant or not.

Uncertain

Shopaholic101 wrote: »

Am I protected in anyway? I.e they can't take my pregnancy into account when deciding who is best for the job?

In theory that is correct. If they turned you down and your could PROVE that was the reason they could be looking at a hefty payout.

As you are probably aware, you were under no obligation to tell them and they certainly couldn't ask. However, you have so you will have to assume they will act properly.

It may be the HR department will be super cautious and not tell the interviewing panel to try and protect themselves.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

pinkshoes

When you told them, they could have easily just accepted your withdrawal from the application process, but they didn't, which would indicate they want the best person for the job.

Good luck!

thegirlintheattic

Sounds like they really liked you application - go for it.

Takeaway_Addict

It does sound like a great company to work for but as a flip side they could just be very dam clever and going through the motions and then choosing someone else but it makes it look very unlikely they discriminated.

I prefer to think they are the former...hopefully

Bangton

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

It does sound like a great company to work for but as a flip side they could just be very dam clever and going through the motions and then choosing someone else but it makes it look very unlikely they discriminated.

I prefer to think they are the former...hopefully

Why would they ring the OP back after she declined an interview..she declined it ...no discrimination there?

Good luck OP..I'd definately go for it ...sounds like you really impressed them!

tibawo

Go for it.... I got a job at 28 weeks so was obvious at interview.

They knew I needed no training and jumped straight in. Others in dept did the is she or isn't she debate. It really broke the ice!

Takeaway_Addict

Bangton wrote: »

Why would they ring the OP back after she declined an interview..she declined it ...no discrimination there?

Good luck OP..I'd definately go for it ...sounds like you really impressed them!

As Pasturesnew says, it would be poor of them to accept it and could lead them to trouble.