Interviewing While Pregnant?

IslandEnchantress · September 2010

I currently live in St. John in the USVI. I have a full time job in retail and planned on working right up until the birth and that's where my plans got a little fuzzy. I wasn't sure if I would stay here and take time off for the baby or go home to Atlanta to be near friends and family for a month or two.

Fast forward a few weeks. We had a scare last week where we thought I was having a miscarriage. As I waited at home alone for my HcG levels from a blood test (there are no hospitals or ultrasound machines on the island) to be determined two things hit me full force. 1) Besides my fiance, I have no support system here whatsoever. and 2) Health care here sucks.

So we decided, in a bit of a hurried decision, to move back to Atlanta where there's plenty of top notch healthcare (if needed) and lots of friends and family for both of us. I'm now in my 8th week.

I've sent a few resumes out already and I've had some responses. My questions are 1) Is it ok to go into a job interview knowing you're pregnant and will want time off when the baby comes in a few months? 2) When is the right time to tell a future employer that you are expecting?

beachmama321 · September 2010

I'm in the same boat and curious about this as well. I have an interview for a job on Tuesday and I'm almost 12 weeks. I'm not showing much but I know within the next few weeks it will be obvious. I think I've made the decision to not say anything at all at the moment for fear that it will impact whether I get hired or not. I think I will tell them later on, because we don't have any obligation to tell an employer anyways. I still am worried a little bit. But I'm definitely not bringing it up in the interview. Most likely bringing it up later on...but I still just don't know.

Hoping they don't have a problem with me once they do find out, not that they can legally fire me or anything but still. I want to be on their good side all the time. Good luck with what you decide!

lauralovesbob · September 2010

If you are applying for retail, I have to imagine they'd love having someone start for the busy holiday season. I don't think you're under any obligation to tell future employers. It puts you at a disadvantage, and it shouldn't. If you were a man expecting a child, no one would think twice about offering you a job.

anakin · September 2010

You do not need to tell anyone when interviewing if you are pg. And they can not ask you, or make decisions based upon being pg (though the last one is super hard to prove). You just go and interview and pretend like you aren't pg.

The issue is that you won't be protected by FMLA until you're there a year, and that's if the company you work for is large enough. So when you go on leave they don't have to save your job for you. You also have to look at health care. You won't be able to get individual health care, and your work health care probably won't kick in for 3-6 months. You will probably be able to get state health care for the months you have a gap. And what ever you have it will probably be better then what you have now.

As for when to tell. You tell them when you're ready, or better yet, when it's necessary. A lot of people like to "feel things out" before they tell the boss they're expecting. Talk to other employees, maybe make a friend in HR to ask hypothetical questions.

I know someone who managed to hide her pregnancy until she went on leave at 38 weeks. I would think it would be impossible as a teacher, but she managed it. She told the principal at 30 weeks, but no one else knew. And that gave the principal enough time to find a good sub.

ljanderson09 · September 2010

I am in the same boat. It is against the law for them to ask if you are pregnant at an interview and therefore you do not need to tell them. After all, they are hiring you for your professional qualities, not because you are or are not pregnant. Once they offer you the job, then you can tell them. They can't take back the offer because you're pregnant. Other than that, don't stress out about asking for time off. Employers hiring women of child bearing age have to assume that some of them are going to have babies before they qualify for FMLA. Good luck at your interviews and I hope you find something great!!

FacciaBella83 · September 2010

First of all, I think you made a smart choice with the move, regardless of the job situation. Good medical care and having your loved ones around you is important for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

If you need to find a new job even though you're pregnant, I think you should be honest right from the start. They might not hire you because of it, but you will only be able to hide it for so long. I don't think your future employer would be happy to find out that you lied by omission to get the job. I would also ask what their maternity leave policy is...some companies require that you be an employee for a certain amount of time before you are granted the leave of absence. That may be important if you plan to work after the baby is born. If you don't need to, it might be in your best interest to look for a temporary position.

Best of luck to you!

ljanderson09 · September 2010

One more thing...Keep in mind that if you do take time off for the baby, the company technically does not have to pay for your (or baby's) health care while you are on maternity leave since you do not qualify for FMLA. I am going to be staying on my husband's health care plan until my leave is over.

bikernun · September 2010

You are not under any obligation to inform a future employer of your pregnancy. As a matter of fact I would suggest not mentioning it in an interview at all. Most companies say they don't discrimate but they do.

IslandEnchantress · September 2010

Thanks for all the input! I'm definitely weighing my options on this. I just hope everything works out the way we're hoping!

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