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Thinking I Could Get "Laid Off"...

mandi1103mandi1103
in 1st Trimester

I'm worried about telling work.. I work In Human Resources (HR) and I am the only one in the office that does what I do. I have only been there for a little over 6 months, so I do not qualify for FMLA, and I am on a probationary new hire period until December 22nd- meaning they can "let me go" for any reason without legal support. I'm thinking about telling them around 15 weeks, but my boss might feel betrayed about hiding this from her. When I was hired for this position my boss told me about the other candidate they were considering. She was PG- about 20 weeks and that it was the main reason why she did not hire her. She didn't want to hire someone then 20 weeks later they would be out on medical leave. Does anyone have any advice about what I should say/do?? She is a great boss.. she is like a friend, but I need this job.. I LOVE this job.

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Re: Thinking I Could Get "Laid Off"...

  • duchessII81duchessII81

    But don't you become eligible for FMLA before your due date? If I remember what's in our employee manual, that's 12 months or 1200+ hours (don't remember exactly).

    ETA: Unless something happens and I have to start missing tons of work, I have no intentions of telling work before 2nd tri.

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  • mandi1103mandi1103
    I do become eligible in December- But I guess the worry is in getting laid off between now and December if they do not want to hassle with a PG lady going on Leave in February...
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  • Mrs.BoomBoomMrs.BoomBoom
    Um, isn't it illegal for them to make that hiring decision based on the candidate's pregnant status?  I can't believe she told you that.  I'd hang in there as long as you can without telling with that experience.
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  • mandi1103mandi1103

    It wasn't the only thing.. but lets just say its the straw the broke the camels back ;-)

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  • duchessII81duchessII81
    That really stinks. Good luck to you. I personally would hold off a few weeks for the extra paychecks if that's how it's going to turn out.
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  • octwed07octwed07
    i'd continue to work and not say anthing and just keep doing the best job possible and document anything that was said to you in relation to how good of a job you are doing. Are you going to have a review anytime soon?  If you do and make sure the comments are documented. Although they can technically let you go in your probationary period for a multitude of reasons, if you have been absolutely nothing but a stellar employee and have documentation to prove it, and if they simply fire you for being pregnant, then that is definite grounds for discimination. It bugs the crap out of me that being pregnant is to employers is such a horrible thing, sometimes worse that a person who has a major illness.
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  • jenfurleighjenfurleigh

    imageMrs.BoomBoom:
    Um, isn't it illegal for them to make that hiring decision based on the candidate's pregnant status?  I can't believe she told you that.  I'd hang in there as long as you can without telling with that experience.

     

    Definitely this. Don't feel as though you are betraying your boss, when it sounds like she would end up betraying you if you told her the news! Think of it as supporting your family. Hang on to that job if you can. It is so hard to find another one, trust me, I am looking!

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  • SapphyrEyesSapphyrEyes
    Ok, I've normally been lurking.... Your boss not hiring someone because they are pregnant is 110% illegal.  That person can actually sue your company if she finds out.  And even probationary status, I would check with a lawyer or even findlaw.com because pregnancy is protected under the law.  Do not tell your boss you are pg until you absolutely have to.  And as long as you have in 1250 hours or 12 months you'll be covered under FMLA.
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  • akgramakgram
    I'd hold off on telling her as long as you can and I also wouldn't worry about betraying her!!
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  • dancgladydancglady
    If that was the kind of boss I had to work for and they would lay me off over being pg... I would NOT want to work for them.  Job security is worth more then the salary!
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  • Married2MrWrightMarried2MrWright member

    First of all, your boss is an idiot for telling you the reason the other girl wasn't hired is because she was 20 weeks pregnant.  Even IF that was the reason, she should not have said it.  Period.  You now have "evidence" that they have unfair practices towards pregnant women.  Therefore, should they decide to lay you off, you'd have a good case that it was discriminatory.

    https://www.workforce.com/section/03/feature/23/13/89/index.html

    https://www.humanrights.state.mn.us/video_preg.html

    That said, I'd hold out as long as possible.  You are not legally required to inform your employer of any medical condition, including pregnancy.  You can chose to, but are not required to do so (unless you have some sort of dangerous job that could cause injury to you or your unborn).  I'd recommend not telling until your obviously showing.  They cannot ask.  And if they do, you do not have to tell. 

    Are you up for a performance review soon?  If so, I'd wait until AFTER you get it to announce.  If not, do make sure you get every kudo documented between now and when you announce so that should they try to fire you you have a paper trail that you were not only doing your job, but doing it well.  Keep notes about projects being completed, on time or ahead of schedule, cost saving measures, anything you do that is POSITIVE for the company.  And avoid negatives at all costs.  Don't come in late or leave early.  Don't take advantage of PTO, etc. Also, I recommend researching your company's leave policy and when you do announce have a written proposal of the time you'd take off and how you prepare your projects, duties, etc. to be handled while you are away.

    One note about FMLA...your company has to have more than 50 fulltime employees for you to be eligible.  My company only has 25, so I am SOL there.  But I have 12 weeks paid leave because of my accrued time that I am saving up, so I should be covered.

    GL!  It sucks that you even have to stress about this.

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