Switching jobs while pregnant? Good Idea or Bad idea?

tahirgirl

So Im 12w1d today have an interview with another job today hopefully i get it.. But my concern is with that; if the job is offered to me should i accept..only asking because technically i would only be employed for a good 6 months if I hold until my due date. So that puts me in a bond when it comes to FMLA because i would not be employed for atleast a year.. However with my current job i know i will be approved for it? But the job im interviewing for has better pay and benefits.. And wud be more managable when it comes to having the baby.. Has anyone ever been in a situation like this if so please give some input.. Im stuck between settling for for my current job and expanding to a better one.. But i need to think of the smartess decision.
THANKS IN ADVANCE

kynbar5

I personally think stability is a #1 consideration when having a child. If in the long run this job will provide that (and like you stated) good benefits then maybe that's the best option. With that said, will the job you're trying to get accept hiring you with the fact that in 6 months (give or take) you will require some type of maternity leave? Also, there will be Drs appointments you will need between now and then. There's a lot of consideration that goes into that big of a decision but ultimately you have to do what is best for you and your child. If there is a SO in the picture have you talked to him about it?

dgirl57725

I am 11w0d and accepted a new job which starts in 2 weeks. I told them before I accepted about the pregnancy so they were aware and the team was more than fine with it! If you do decide to take the new job I would caution that you should make sure there are no clauses in the contract that say you need to be employed for 1 year before being eligible for paid maternity leave! That was important advice I was given. Hope that helps! And good luck with the interview!

tahirgirl

@dgirl57725 did u tell them at interview or when they called back for the offer because i didnt state that i was pregnant at the interview i figured it wud be better to tell them once theyvgive me the offer.. And thanks it seem to go well.

tahirgirl

@kynbar5 you are absolutley right.. He did state once i start i automatically get long term and short term disability. I didnt ask about fmla.. But when or if he calls back with an offer i will ask and let them know of the pregnancy then.. Thanks for your advice..

dgirl57725

@tahirgirl I called them after I was pretty far down in the interview process and was already given a verbal offer.

AEG84

*lurking from April 16*

I had a coworker start work at my current employer at around 16 weeks pregnant with her first. It will be up to the company whether they want to allow you to take leave beyond any accrued vacation/sick time you have. Our company let her, and she took a full 12 weeks. She did disclose to the hiring manager during the process that she was expecting, and I knew as well because of mutual friends. However, I do not think that she qualified for short-term disability benefits due to the specific plan our employer offers, because it requires you to be enrolled for at least 10 months before it will pay benefits. That will vary depending on the plan, so you may wish to ask about the specifics at the new job.

flowerpower5838

I am not a gambler so I would stay with the same job. I have been tempted to look, but I qualify for FMLA and am eligible to use my STD benefits, so I am going to stay with my current employer until at least after I have my baby. Not sure of the maternity benefits here though and I am waiting at least a few more weeks before I inquire. But that's just my two cents!

I agree with PP - a lot of short and long term disability insurance only kick in after you are enrolled for a certain amount of time so keep that in mind.

amaniupendo

I wouldn't make a decision. You can negotiate and decide on your options later on.

smount2011

I literally accepted a job and the next day found out I was pregnant.  Its better pay, a LOT better benefits, but the downside is I went from a 10 month to a 12 month job.  But that also means I get paid MORE than before. I'm now salary instead of hourly.  It all depends on how you see it.  What kind of sick leave/comp time will there be? I would talk with both places and see which can make the better deal.

 We are only supposed to take half days or full days, but my boss is more lenient- she says if I make my appointments for the end of the day I can split my lunch hour into 2 halves, and cut out 1/2 hour early for my appointments because its kind of ridiculous to make me take a 1/2 day when my appointment is 2 minutes away.  I also start with a week's vacation, 2 weeks of sick time and 5 personal days.  I'm going to use my vacation and sick time for when baby comes then suck it up and go back to work early.  DH works evenings so we don't need child care- he should be able to handle a baby for the day (its his first baby).   My time off renews in July, and I will be bumped up to 2 weeks vacation and more sick/personal time.  I can handle 4 months with low time off.   

klantzer21

tahirgirl said:

@kynbar5 you are absolutley right.. He did state once i start i automatically get long term and short term disability. I didnt ask about fmla.. But when or if he calls back with an offer i will ask and let them know of the pregnancy then.. Thanks for your advice..

You can use short term disability for pregnancy

flowerpower5838

klantzer21 said:

@kynbar5 you are absolutley right.. He did state once i start i automatically get long term and short term disability. I didnt ask about fmla.. But when or if he calls back with an offer i will ask and let them know of the pregnancy then.. Thanks for your advice..

You can use short term disability for pregnancy

You can, but I know many policies don't allow you to start using short or long term disability immediately. Basically, you sign up for the benefits right away but they don't kick in until 6 months, 9 months or even a year down the line - basically a waiting period. I believe my STD benefits didn't kick in until I was at my job for 9 months. 

I am not an insurance expert and I am sure this varies. Just something to keep in mind if you are counting on these benefits. 

llybeck

I think communication is the biggest thing here. You don't legally have to tell your new employer that you are pregnant during the interview/hiring process but to me that sets up a poor relationship with your new employer. I think if you are upfront and honest from the start it would make things much easier for discussing the specifics as well as your employer's willingness to work with you since you told them right away. If I were in your shoes, I would tell them how interested you are in the position but that you are pregnant and see how it goes. If they are unwilling to let you take time off due to that or they can't be flexible for your appointments then at least you know that before accepting the position, changing jobs, and then being kind of stuck in a bad situation. 

tahirgirl

Thanks everybody for your input.. Good news I got the job and made manager aware of pregnancy his reaction was phenomenal.. He said I did so well at the interview that nothing would be a problem plus he mentioned it would be discrimination.. So all smiles over hear.. Its definitely a better job with better benefits..thanks again.

llybeck

That is SUCH good news!!! I'm so excited for you, way to go!

SadiePantsR

@tahirgirl congratulations!!! That is awesome. So excited for you, sound like a great move and a supportive manager!

lexievelyn8179

This whole thread is very helpful my situation too because I was just offered a job in my actual chosen field instead of customer service jobs. It's been an ongoing debate amongst my family on when I should inform them about my pregnancy. However, I'm sure a few know already since I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone.

tahirgirl

Thanks ladies!!#

Parker16772

Congrats on your new job!

Parker16772

AEG84 

I seriously want some tater tots now. Thanks...LOL.

soxfan9968

@tahirgirl CONGRATS!!

jenniferamcooper

Congrats!!
I'm interviewing Tuesday for a job and want to tell the interview panel but don't want to make it weird. I live in Canada and we get a year's mat leave paid by the government (unless you're self employed) so I'm not worried about the time off... I just don't want to leave them stranded. So I think I'll bring it up.

I have a great job now but was offered a job interview from a different Department that pays more... it's the same employer.. so it's tough to decide to take it if I was the successful candidate. Ugh decisions!