Pregnant Friend Applying for a Job at my Company

ChrisL123456

I don't know if this is the correct place to post this, or even if its the correct website but I am hopeful someone can help me.

I work in a small to medium size contracting company, not enough for a head office but more than one sight, and a HR team.

We recently had a new position become available, I spoke to my friend who wanted out of her job and she has successfully applied for the one we have and is due an interview next week.

Now today she has revealed to me that she is pregnant, I am not a member of management, but she has known for 2 weeks now, but isnt showing yet. She has said to me she wont be telling anyone at the interview as is her right.

We work in small teams and currently have someone leaving for maternity, hence why we are expanding, I have recommended this lady to my HR team when they approached me, knowing there is other candidates she is looking a very strong contender for the job.

So if she gets the job im now worried how it will look bad on me that we have hired someone who will be leaving in approx 7-8 months for an extended period of time, for the very same reason we are hiring her, and I am very worried that management will look down on me for not telling them beforehand as this is going to cause great disruption, I myself am ecstatic about the news, she is a very close friend and I am already godfather to her other children. I obviously don't want to approach my employer but I don't know if I am duty bound to tell them or not.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

nicechap

ChrisL123456 wrote: »

I don't know if this is the correct place to post this, or even if its the correct website but I am hopeful someone can help me.

I work in a small to medium size contracting company, not enough for a head office but more than one sight, and a HR team.

We recently had a new position become available, I spoke to my friend who wanted out of her job and she has successfully applied for the one we have and is due an interview next week.

Now today she has revealed to me that she is pregnant, I am not a member of management, but she has known for 2 weeks now, but isnt showing yet. She has said to me she wont be telling anyone at the interview as is her right.

We work in small teams and currently have someone leaving for maternity, hence why we are expanding, I have recommended this lady to my HR team when they approached me, knowing there is other candidates she is looking a very strong contender for the job.

So if she gets the job im now worried how it will look bad on me that we have hired someone who will be leaving in approx 7-8 months for an extended period of time, for the very same reason we are hiring her, and I am very worried that management will look down on me for not telling them beforehand as this is going to cause great disruption, I myself am ecstatic about the news, she is a very close friend and I am already godfather to her other children. I obviously don't want to approach my employer but I don't know if I am duty bound to tell them or not.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Its the 21st century, women have had the vote here for 100 years, stop living in the past.

Its also nothing more to do with you. She will get the job or fail on her own merits. If she gets the job she's perfectly entitled to maternity pay & leave.

E

xapprenticex

Did you even read the guys post, get off your high horse darnit.



OP - I see what you mean, it will look bad on you as you recommended her, end of the day, you goofed up, dont mix friends and work. There isnt much you can do.

JReacher1

It is an unfortunate situation but I would not get involved. Best to say nothing about it.

Although they cannot discriminate against your friend it may make her probation period a bit dicey. I would not be surprised if she fails probabtion for an unrelalated reason.

Fireflyaway

No you are not duty bound to tell them. In fact it would be wrong to and could damage your friendship. Don't break her confidentiality. Pregnancy is a protected characteristic so a woman can't be discriminated against because of that, but if the potential employer found out they might well not offer her the job and make up an excuse. Would that not play on your conscious?
I applied for a job when 3 months pregnant. I didn't disclose it and was offered the position. When six months pregnant and obviously showing I was promoted. Whilst I was on maternity a junior colleague covered for me which gave her great experience. I'm sure that opportunity contributed to her landing a better job once I returned. After I returned I worked for the organisation another 8 years. Maternity doesn't always cause disruption.

nicechap

xapprenticex wrote: »

Did you even read the guys post, get off your high horse darnit.



OP - I see what you mean, it will look bad on you as you recommended her, end of the day, you goofed up, dont mix friends and work. There isnt much you can do.

Pregnant women are perfectly entitled to apply for and gain new employment. Until discriminatory attitudes like the one displayed in the OP are part of the past we will never have an equal society. The OP is also not part of the next stage of recruitment.

Revealing such personal medical information without consent could land the company in very big trouble if the interview is withdrawn/ failed as a result.

But then i suspect you've fallen for the AI dilemma.

Les79

I'm going to get slated, but I do think that pregnancy is a bit lax when it comes to being a protected characteristic. It is sort of sneaky and dishonest withholding the fact that, in a few months, you will knowingly be unable to work. I could understand it if pregnancy took place during work (well, not IN work but you know!), but before joining an employer is a bit sneaky. But then again, employers wouldn't hire as many pregnant women if it was a bit more "lax" so a difficult one.

That being said, that's the way the world currently is and as such each to their own!

Which brings me on to the advice aimed at you, OP....

Each to their own. As far as you are concerned you didn't know, yet it may be worthwhile just voicing your concerns to your friend so that they don't say anything about you knowing beforehand. As far as loyalty to the company goes, seriously don't be a jobsworth and lose your friend.

ChrisL123456

As I say she a very good personal friend, but we work 60 hour + weeks for the workloads, and working in a team of only 4 people makes this a very tight group, currently we ave an even work force of 2 men and 2 women, we see each other more than our own families.

Oddly enough the person who would take this most to heart is my team manager, she has envisaged working many less hours in the coming year because of the new additional employment, when our other team member is back from maternity that is. She will not be happy about the situation and I guess I'm worried she will make my life hell as a result, probably worth noting my friend is 43 years old, and didn't have any plans for more children, her youngest presently is 19......

pinkshoes

You could always mention your friend's pregnancy as a passing comment and how pleased you are for her. Maybe also mention that you are pleased there are so many great candidates that have applied for the job.

I found out I was pregnant the day after being offered a job, so turned it down. It would have been so unfair on the small company as I would have needed maternity at such a crucial time in the project.

theoretica

As she is already pregnant the company will probably not pay her any maternity pay. Is there any reason they won't be able to get a temporary post to fill in for her?

If asked, you can honestly say you did not know when you recommended her. Telling now would only tempt your work to illegal discrimination, and break faith with your friend.

shortcrust

pinkshoes wrote: »

You could always mention your friend's pregnancy as a passing comment and how pleased you are for her. Maybe also mention that you are pleased there are so many great candidates that have applied for the job.

I found out I was pregnant the day after being offered a job, so turned it down. It would have been so unfair on the small company as I would have needed maternity at such a crucial time in the project.

I think that's probably what I'd do. I'm not even sure I'd feel that bad about it. This friend clearly isn't particularly worried about the potential impact on the OP and it's not like she's unemployed.

Fireflyaway wrote: »

...Maternity doesn't always cause disruption.

But it can be devastating to a small company, particularly in circumstances like this.