Accepting new job while pregnant - my experience

vanillacourage

This question gets asked semi-often so I thought I'd chime in with my experience this week.  I was referred to a hiring manager by a mutual contact.  I had two interviews, and was then made an offer.  I asked for the offer in writing, we negotiated salary, and then when I was at the point where I was ready to accept I told him I was excited about joining the team, but needed him to know that I'd require a maternity leave in the spring.  This particular position has responsibilities for a major event, scheduled the week after my due date (!), so it was very possible that he'd say it was a deal-breaker. 

The first words out of his mouth were "congratulations!", then he told me that he very much appreciated my honesty and my not just taking the job and then springing it on them a few weeks later.  The pregnancy is not a problem, and I start in 2 weeks. 

jgal84

I see this question a lot too, and although I'm not experiencing this, I think it's great that you shared your experience

Congrats on your pregnancy and your new job!! And, FWIW, I think you handled it all perfectly.

ImThisBabysMom

That's awesome! Congrats!

I'm looking for a new career and I'm scared. I quit my job to take care of my terminally ill mother before I ever knew I was pregnant. She has passed away and I've been looking for a new job. I've been afraid of how/when to tell anyone I get an interview with because I don't want to miss out on a job just because I'm pregnant. That's great to hear how it has worked for you.

gisa886

Congrats!! I am glad you had a good experience. I got laid off during my first pregnancy and by the time I got interviews I was too big to hide and the only way I got a job was wearing a big baggy shirt and hiding behind my purse. Luckily they were ok with it after I told them.

dojo1

That's such a nice thing to hear - I think you handled it in a professional manner and you protected yourself well.  Good job!

Linz1233

Congrats!!

 

shannm

Thank you so much for sharing this.  I have a possible interview coming up and as the weeks tick by and I start to show, I am getting really nervous about it.  I hope I have a positive experience too!

hnbarth

Congrats!  I did the same thing.  I was up for a promotion at my job and told my boss rather early (earlier than I wanted) that I was pregnant.  I got the offer for the position and raise last week!!  Good luck with your new position as well

kiarstin

I love that you were honest I highly disrespect people when they are not.. I think its your employers right to know, especially since it does effect work.

skooterblenny

Thanks for posting! I am also in the process of negotiations with a new employer and may not be starting the job until the end of the year, when I will be in the 2nd trimester. I'm hopeful that they are understanding that this will be my career and not just a short-term job... pregnancy is only temporary! 

incognitoNY

Congrats that is great news!!