Disclosing pregnancy during an interview??

jfraser23

I have an interview this upcoming Friday to become faculty for a school. It's my dream job, but I'm not sure if I should disclose that I'm 16 weeks pregnant on the interview. I know legally you're not supposed to discriminate, and I don't know whether I should be up front or tell them after I'm hired. Advise??

kd&cd

After your hired for sure. They aren't "allowed" to discriminate but if it was down to two equally qualified applicants, one going on mat leave in 24 weeks and one not, they will go with the one not going on mat leave. It's not fair, but it's the way businesses work.

mysticl

They aren't supposed to discriminate but it would be difficult for you to "prove" that you weren't the best candidate for the job if they turned you down.  

jasrun80

id not bring it up:) I'd just say I just found out;)

cMichelle0423

I wouldn't bring it up. They don't need to know until you know wwhether or not you'll be working there... and even though they can't legal discriminate, you never know if the person who is doing the hiring might use that against you because they don't want to worry about finding you a sub 5 months down the line.

mcgeeva

kd&cd said:

After your hired for sure. They aren't "allowed" to discriminate but if it was down to two equally qualified applicants, one going on mat leave in 24 weeks and one not, they will go with the one not going on mat leave. It's not fair, but it's the way businesses work.

I agree with this 100%. I was offered a job and out of respect I told them I just found out I was pregnant and guess what..my offer changed so I could not longer take the job.

Tassie06

To be very honest I think you should tell them. However, you probably live in the States and your mat leave would probably only be a few weeks to a couple months. Am I right? They would only have to fill your position for a short time before you return. In Canada you get paid by the government for a year off. Even though the employer doesn't have to pay you anything during this time. They are now having to find someone to work to cover you for a whole year. So I don't really see that as fair. That being said, I also don't believe they should discriminate against the fact that you are pregnant. I would hope that if you're qualified enough for the job they would consider you regardless of pregnancy. Gl

Tassie06

jasrun80 said:

id not bring it up:) I'd just say I just found out;)

I don't agree with this. The dates wouldn't add up. Few women can go past 16 weeks without knowing they are pregnant. Yes, it can happen, but most women would know by 12w so the employer would probably assume you lied and already knew you were pregnant.

mcgeeva

Just keep in mind if you take the job if your in the US you won't qualify for FMLA since you need to work for a year for it to kick in. Not the pay just the security of returning to a job.

jfraser23

As of right now, I have a full time job with paid maternity leave and benefits. This other job came up and it's something I would love to do for a career. I applied back in November and they scheduled the interview 2 months out. Still not sure what to do but thanks for all the advise/comments

GermanGirl2007

RedheadBaker said:

I would disclose if/when they make a job offer, but before you accept. Tell them that before you accept, you want to disclose that you are pregnant, that you intend to return to your job after having the baby, and that you know you won't qualify for FMLA, but want to negotiate some form of maternity leave that both parties find agreeable. 

This, 100%. Then you are still in a position to negotiate time off and benefits, and they likely won't retract, since doing so could give the appearance of discrimination. Also, I just feel like this is most respectful for the employer, while still making sure you are looking out for yourself. 

**Edited for clarity.

Jodash24

I started a new job at 12 weeks, I'm yet to tell them I'm pregnant, I am telling them on Monday 15 weeks before my due date (legal requirement in uk) which is also the end of my probationary period. I feel awful not telling them at the start but you gotta do right for your family, and like another person said they already got a job. My company won't pay me any maternity leave so when they replace me for 9 months they won't be paying out twice where in normal circumstances they would be. So nervous telling them though

NADA-H

I had an interview for this job that I started on the 1st of Jan back in early Nov, a few days before I found out I was 4 weeks pregnant at the time, I was contacted for this interview prior to the baby's conception but the interview didn't take place until after it happened. I received my contract and job offer a few days after I've found out and I didn't tell them. I signed and accepted the job, there was no clause in my contract that stated I had to let them know if I thought I was pregnant and their maternity leave is 40-50 days which with the load I now have that I did start wouldn't be too hard for the two other architects to cover while I'm gone.

They shouldn't discriminate against you but employers don't want to have to think of finding a replacement so they might dismiss a pregnant candidate for one who isn't pregnant. I intend to let my employer know soon, maybe at 16W or a little before and telling them that I intend to go back to work after my leave. The probation period at this company is 6 months long! meaning by the end of my probation I will be giving birth and if they do not want me anymore, highly doubt it since I did work here before and they asked me to come back, they can let me go easily during those coming 6 months.

plus won't you have the baby by the time summer vacation has started, or around that time?

luvmuff

NADA-H said:

I had an interview for this job that I started on the 1st of Jan back in early Nov, a few days before I found out I was 4 weeks pregnant at the time, I was contacted for this interview prior to the baby's conception but the interview didn't take place until after it happened. I received my contract and job offer a few days after I've found out and I didn't tell them. I signed and accepted the job, there was no clause in my contract that stated I had to let them know if I thought I was pregnant and their maternity leave is 40-50 days which with the load I now have that I did start wouldn't be too hard for the two other architects to cover while I'm gone.

They shouldn't discriminate against you but employers don't want to have to think of finding a replacement so they might dismiss a pregnant candidate for one who isn't pregnant. I intend to let my employer know soon, maybe at 16W or a little before and telling them that I intend to go back to work after my leave. The probation period at this company is 6 months long! meaning by the end of my probation I will be giving birth and if they do not want me anymore, highly doubt it since I did work here before and they asked me to come back, they can let me go easily during those coming 6 months.

plus won't you have the baby by the time summer vacation has started, or around that time?

I was wondering the same thing about summer vacation. It seems as though you would be due in June and if it's not a year round school you'll have the summer break to tend to your newborn.

Regardless, during the interview is probably not the best time even though it's the most honest way to go about it. People are not suppose to discriminate, but that isn't how humans tick. It will be in the back of their minds if you tell them in the interview and may affect their decisions, even if they are not aware of it. I would suggest waiting until they offer the job and before you accept, it's what's most fair for both parties.

jfraser23

It's a year round university I think I'm going to not say anything during the interview but disclose the news before I accept the job and negotiate the maternity leave like several ladies have suggested. Thanks for the input!

jcartz

I just dealt with this actually - interviewed at about 11 weeks (not showing yet) twice, got a verbal offer, was told when my start date would be, etc.... and disclosed my pregnancy in the interest of being honest. I never received the official written offer & was told there was all the sudden another candidate. It was VERY clearly discriminatory, despite my assurances about coming back, my dedication, etc.

Anyway, I'd wait until you have a WRITTEN formal offer to disclose. As others said, be sure to indicate that you will come back after your leave, that you'll work on a coverage plan with them and all that good stuff.
GL!

(ps, this is not my first post, i just can't log on with my old info & can't figure out why!)

sxymamakat

When I was leaving my full-time position at a university (for grad school commitments), I was brought in to help with the interviewing process since I knew my job best.  During the interviews, there were 2 males and 2 females- of the women, one was older, the other young and roughly 5 months pregnant but slightly overweight so it hid as pudge when she sat.  She was seated when I came in the room and so I didn't realize.  After the 4 interviews, when she stood up, it was obvious.  She was hands down my selection to fill my slot, with the older female as the one to fill the comparable position on another campus.  They were simply the most qualified and best suited to the job.  My boss overrode me and said she didn't want the hassle of maternity and the older lady might need disability time.  I was floored at the blatant discrimination, and it's making me VERY reluctant to disclose my pregnancy now as I still work under her part time as an online teacher (so she can't see me to notice).  Lesson learned, though, and unless there is an obvious bump I can't hide, I will never mention a pregnancy in the future until I have a written offer in my grubby little paws, KWIM? 

Jodash24

Hearing all these stories makes me glad I kept quiet, they can't just discriminate me when my probationary period is over, there has been no problems or issues with my job but guaranteed they would have found something if I had told them earlier....?!

NADA-H

I feel sorry for all of you ladies who faced discrimination due to disclosing their pregnancy. Being pregnant doesn't make us broken we can still perform and if we plan on coming back after maternity leave which is 40-50 days here or if you wont be paid for your leave etc, It is really unfair for you to be discriminated against because any other employee might undergo an accident or have to travel or need disability time and it might be a while before they get back to work just the same!