Job interview

EC2016

I am 9w 5d and I currently work full time. I applied to a part time job for extra money. I planned on quitting my full time job after maternity leave and keep the part time job. I have an interview for the part time job on Friday. I haven't had an ultrasound or heard the heartbeat yet. When do you think it would be a good time to tell this job about being pregnant? I don't want to say anything in the interview for fear I won't get the job. What do you ladies think?

SummerOH

I wouldn't say anything til after you're hired AND you know more about your pregnancy. I was able to hide my pregnancy until 20 weeks with my first and 16-17 with my second, so you may have a lot of time.

ctmamaoftwo

I'm actively interviewing as well. I don't plan to say anything until I have to. I figure I'm not telling the world yet so why should I have to tell them.

mommachanner

I just went on a second interview last week. I am currently 10 weeks, 5 days. I plan on not saying a word until I am hired and showing. 

mom2be2016

I wouldn't say anything until after you get hired.

l4rk

Agree with all the other ladies here. Don't say a peep until after you are hired and even after probation (if possible). It's pretty easy for employers to find "legitimate" excuses not to keep you around and it will be much harder to find a job if you are let go later in pregnancy.

EC2016

Thank you ladies for the advice. I'll probably wait until I'm pretty much showing to say anything.

claireloSC

I actually don't agree. When you've worked somewhere less than a year, they don't have to keep your job for you. I would tell them when you had an offer and get their maternity leave offer in writing. I've been on a job interview and that's my plan, which actually came from someone else on this board. Otherwise they can just fire you when you go on leave...legally.

EC2016

This is a contract position so there is no maternity leave. Pretty much you get paid when you see clients. So the time I take will be unpaid and I'm ok with that bc I also have a full time job I'll have paid leave for.

BethP321

They have no reason to ask if you're pregnant during their interview (as far as I know, they can't even ask). It's illegal for them to dismiss in the hiring process for being pregnant (although they could just not hire you for any other reason instead...) and they also cannot fire you after you are in the door. I am already showing at 13 weeks (not a ton, but enough for me and close family to notice) and I am in the hiring process of a part time position right now, so I don't know what I'm going to say when I finally get asked by my potential boss (I hate saying I lied for the interview, but it's not like they asked me). I also am trying to get a license to be a CNA and I just know a nursing facility is not going to hire me when I'm finally finished school and 6-7 months pregnant...

l4rk

claireloSC said:

I actually don't agree. When you've worked somewhere less than a year, they don't have to keep your job for you. I would tell them when you had an offer and get their maternity leave offer in writing. I've been on a job interview and that's my plan, which actually came from someone else on this board. Otherwise they can just fire you when you go on leave...legally.

This must depend where you live... I don't think there is any sort of qualification period where I live to ensure job security, except that you're required to give 4 week's notice of your leave. Otherwise, an employer is required to hold your position or give you a comparable one upon your return.

bananers

l4rk said:

claireloSC said:

I actually don't agree. When you've worked somewhere less than a year, they don't have to keep your job for you. I would tell them when you had an offer and get their maternity leave offer in writing. I've been on a job interview and that's my plan, which actually came from someone else on this board. Otherwise they can just fire you when you go on leave...legally.

This must depend where you live... I don't think there is any sort of qualification period where I live to ensure job security, except that you're required to give 4 week's notice of your leave. Otherwise, an employer is required to hold your position or give you a comparable one upon your return.

In the US, FMLA only applies if you've been somewhere for a year and the company has 50 employees. Some states like CA have more protection for mothers in place, but it's the exception, not the rule.

I agree with @claireloSC. Use it as leverage once you get an offer in hand and get everything in writing. Even if they don't offer maternity benefits, they aren't obligated to hold your position until you come back or keep you on payroll. Negotiate any leave time at the time the offer is made.

hurtsogood

I just had an interview this morning and i was honest with them and told them i was pregnant and unable to work after christmas. They were really nice and told me they are still interested in me and because im an architect they offered to set me up at home. I think being honest is important and shows that your straight forward. Good luck

karynste19

You need to know your state laws regarding maternity leave. For example, in Massachusetts, you can work for a company for 3 months and have job protection for 8 weeks if you go on maternity leave. Other states don't have this protection and only abide by federal laws of 1 year of service to have maternity leave protection.

Before you make your decision, make sure you're aware of your short term disability benefits. If you decide to leave your current full time position where you could take advantage of short term disability for your part time position that doesn't offer the benefit you could lose thousands of dollars. Make sure you get every ounce of info before making a decision.

Regarding disclosing your pregnancy, employers are not legally able to ask about ANY medical condition including pregnancy. I, personally, would not tell them until you have settled one way or the other.

Good luck!

erynashlee

Since learning of baby #2 I've applied to help husband not feel so stressed. Have had plenty interviews but was always honest about letting them know of my pregnancy. Even if it was early, I wanted to make sure they understood I would need days off for my apts and that I wouldn't be able to lift anything heavy. Had a very bad interview with one lady that loved me so much til I told her I was expecting and couldn't lift heavy anything, she made me feel absolutely horrible that lead me to crying when I got back in my car! But I'm still positive something will come along if not it's still okay. But even with that bad experience any further interviews I will still explain it to them.

claireloSC

@l4rk, exactly what @bananers said. FMLA (the federal law) does require 50 employees and one year tenure. I am at a small startup, so we have fewer than 50 local employees (which is the California law requirement) which means I don't qualify for that either. All I qualify for is 4-6 weeks paid disability post-birth (55% pay with a cap) from the state of California, but my employer does not have to keep my job. Given that it's such a sucky situation, I'd rather have an offer in writing from a new company than a "we'll see" from my current company. 

ChrissyD1203

I personally would not say anything until you get the offer. Although they can't discriminate because you are pregnant - it's way too easy for them to find another reason not to hire you--- I would imagine after they give you an offer, it would be harder to make up a bs reason for them to retract it. Although I've been at my firm for 5 years, I'm not getting maternity benefits because I just switched to part-time. I honestly don't think most employers would expect you to tell them that at an interview. Then again - it may also depend on the company - if it's a 3 person shop and it will be you and two others and things literally won't get done if you take a few months off in the winter, then make from more of an ethical/trust-building perspective, you might feel compelled to tell them.

l4rk

claireloSC said:

@l4rk, exactly what @bananers said. FMLA (the federal law) does require 50 employees and one year tenure. I am at a small startup, so we have fewer than 50 local employees (which is the California law requirement) which means I don't qualify for that either. All I qualify for is 4-6 weeks paid disability post-birth (55% pay with a cap) from the state of California, but my employer does not have to keep my job. Given that it's such a sucky situation, I'd rather have an offer in writing from a new company than a "we'll see" from my current company. 

Interesting. Do you ladies actually have frequent success with getting employers to agree to that in writing? I walk when potential employees ask for too much in the negotiations. I imagine it would be really challenging to find an employer who would give more benefits than they are legally required to, unless you have a highly specialized skill (and even then...)

bananers

claireloSC said:

Given that it's such a sucky situation, I'd rather have an offer in writing from a new company than a "we'll see" from my current company. 

This is an excellent point. Once you're hired and you tell them you're expecting, you're kind of at their mercy. They could say "we'll see," and then decide to only give you two weeks off. But once you have an offer, and before you accept anything, you're in a position with a little bit of power. This is the time to negotiate, and most employers expect you to. But instead of haggling on salary, your best bet is to take their offered salary (assuming it's a fair amount), and make time off your negotiating point. They won't want you to walk once they've made the decision to offer you the job, so they're more likely to accommodate your request. And if they don't, then you have the power to decide whether you're okay with what time they can guarantee you, or you can walk away. Better to know upfront, though, than to start working there and end up in a situation where you have to choose between your job and family.

bananers

l4rk said:

claireloSC said:

@l4rk, exactly what @bananers said. FMLA (the federal law) does require 50 employees and one year tenure. I am at a small startup, so we have fewer than 50 local employees (which is the California law requirement) which means I don't qualify for that either. All I qualify for is 4-6 weeks paid disability post-birth (55% pay with a cap) from the state of California, but my employer does not have to keep my job. Given that it's such a sucky situation, I'd rather have an offer in writing from a new company than a "we'll see" from my current company. 

Interesting. Do you ladies actually have frequent success with getting employers to agree to that in writing? I walk when potential employees ask for too much in the negotiations. I imagine it would be really challenging to find an employer who would give more benefits than they are legally required to, unless you have a highly specialized skill (and even then...)

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I will let you know in a few weeks.

But in general, I have had luck in negotiations after an offer is in-hand. I haven't negotiated maternity leave, specifically, but I have negotiated salary, parking and other perks. You're absolutely right - an employer could walk if you ask for too much. But for me I'd rather lose out on a job than not be allowed to take 12 weeks of leave. I will graciously take it unpaid, but I'll stay in my current job if it means I get that important time off to bond with my new baby.

Either way, I'd rather know upfront before I take the job.

Edit: quote fail.

claireloSC

All the yes to what @bananers said. That's exactly where I'm at. 

huskerfan2012

I had a job interview a few weeks ago. I had told myself I wasn't going to say anything about being pregnant because even though they're not legally allowed to discriminate, some people still will and I was only about 8 weeks along at the time. During the interview, she asked me if I had any long periods in the near future that I would need time off for. Now, the position I was interviewing for was at the clinic in my small town (about 3,000 people) and it's right across the street from the hospital where I currently work. So I did what I told myself I would do and told her no, however I immediately regretted it because I had a feeling she had heard that I was pregnant from one of my coworkers. So after talking to a few family members, I decided to call her when I got home and explained myself, apologized, and told her I was in fact pregnant. Two days later I took over a handwritten thank you letter, and was offered the position a couple of hours later. So I'm definitely happy I told and that I got lucky that she didn't go with someone else. So if you do get lucky and don't have someone who asks you the question I got, I wouldn't say anything. I just felt like I had no choice in the matter.

claireloSC

Just to give you guys an update, this totally worked for me. I got them to give me 6 weeks paid leave, up to 12 weeks total (last 6 not being paid) and guarantee of my job back. None of that is required by law, so I'm in a much better spot with the new gig than the current gig. Salary wise they matched my salary but will give me another 5k after 3 months, which is the amount I actually wanted. So...yeah...you can totally negotiate maternity leave!

claireloSC

@l4rk ^^

l4rk

claireloSC said:

Just to give you guys an update, this totally worked for me. I got them to give me 6 weeks paid leave, up to 12 weeks total (last 6 not being paid) and guarantee of my job back. None of that is required by law, so I'm in a much better spot with the new gig than the current gig. Salary wise they matched my salary but will give me another 5k after 3 months, which is the amount I actually wanted. So...yeah...you can totally negotiate maternity leave!

NICE! I'm glad to eat crow on this one. Good for you! :-)

kwentela

Thank you ladies for having this feed because it is something I have had some major worries about lately. DH is active military but is finishing his contract around November and we are planning to move cross country to move back closer to family. We are nearly 2000 miles from any family right now. We figured it would take much longer than it did to get pregnant but life surprised us and now we will be moving home and I will be Very pregnant! I work full time as a nurse and have been hoping to start applying for jobs in August to try to move back a little early, around sept/oct before I get too terribly pregnant. I have to set up employment that will be secured and will be able to return to after the baby as I'm the primary income for us and DH might be going back to school. I haven't exactly been sure how to address this in interviews when I will be visibly pregnant besides bringing up the fact that I'm really hoping to be at this job long term. Any advice/input is appreciated!

EC2016

Since you will be so far along at that point you will have to tell them. Just be up.front regarding your due date and the amount of time you will need.

claireloSC

@l4rk Thanks! I'm so happy it worked out. I was lucky that I could have walked away if they didn't give me what I want, because I do have a job. That being said they are doing layoffs at my current job so I definitely was hoping it would work out.

@kwentela Yes, I would just be upfront that you work very hard, you will need x time off, and you want to return to work and stay a long time etc. I would think a big hospital probably already has a comprehensive maternity leave policy and it will probably be fine. The trouble in my industry (technology) is most companies are young startups with no leave policies, no HR, and no one to take over your job responsibilites. I think they really appreciated how upfront I was about everything.

EC2016

I wanted to give an update. I went to the origional interview I posted about but it wasn't what I wanted so I turned it down and didn't bother telling them. I went to another interview this Monday and it was something I was interested in so I was honest with them and they were completely fine with it. I have orientation next Friday! I think at this point it was good to be honest because I'm 12 weeks so I'd be showing soon anyway.

mommiesandbabies

I would tell them at the point of offer and have unpaid leave provisions written into the offer.