Looking for work at 16 weeks pregnant

Mama2be177 · July 2011

Hi Ladies...

So I just found out that due to the unemploment rate dropping they are changing the amount of weeks that unemployment can be extended and I am soon to be losing my unemployment. I have been on it for a liitle over a year. Originally I was supposed to be able to receive it until next April,. which would have worked out great since I am due in January and by April I will be able and ready for work. My DH is working but w/out my income it will be hard for us to raise a baby.

So now I am going to have to start looking for work. I am wondering what your opinions are on whether or not I should let potential employers know that I am preggers. If I do, I don't see anyone wanting to hire someone that is obviously going to need to take a maternity leave sooner or later.

What do you ladies think?

[Poll]

kurokai · July 2011

If you were only in your first trimester, I would say you could wait to tell them - but you're in your second. If you keep it from a potential employer and they hire you, you'll have to tell them before you start to show anyway and it could go over not-too-well and make your work environment stressful.

jdean8 · July 2011

I am in the same boat I am a teacher and we just moved. I am not saying anything because if I were hiring I would not hire the pregnant woman. To take maternity leave you only have to give a month's notice. I need a job and I am not risking it.

CalMum_Momma · July 2011

Nope. I would def not bring it up. I was also job searching while PG with DS. I even went to an interview 2 days before he was born. Although it was rather obvious at that point, it was still not discussed.

In.Luv.With.M · July 2011

kurokai:
If you were only in your first trimester, I would say you could wait to tell them - but you're in your second. If you keep it from a potential employer and they hire you, you'll have to tell them before you start to show anyway and it could go over not-too-well and make your work environment stressful.

This.

Plus, if you aren't honest about it, it reflects poorly on you. Your employer might be more inclined to not trust you if you aren't upfront and honest. I worked for a company that hired a woman that revealed her pregnancy a couple of weeks later, and it did cause her boss to feel a little blindsided by the news and question her integrity. Keep in mind that they can not fire you for being pregnant, but honesty is always the best way to go.

ellewoodsSC · July 2011

Definitely yes, but only bring it up should they offer you the job. Wage, benefits, maternity leave, plans for after the baby and time off for appointments are appropriate discussion at the time of negotiations. Legally, the pregnancy should not be a consideration for hiring if you feel you would be qualified to perform the job advertised. Otherwise if you lay it out there at the initial interview, you would likely not make the first cut, legalities aside.

kes487 · July 2011

Well, I'm definitely in the same dilemma. I was going to try to work, but I was afraid during the first 90 days, once I tell them I'm pregnant, they might find a reason to fire me.

I would say don't tell them until after the offer is made and you start working. It isn't being dishonest, bc legally they cannot rule you out bc you're pregnant during the hiring process. At that point, it's none of their business.

NoodleM · July 2011

I didn't, but I was just about 13 weeks. They offered me the job and then I told them. We went over everything and they are fine with it, but my position will not be held for me when my year leave is done and I will have to re apply (as I will be working there for less than 6 months before going on mat leave, I don't start until Aug).

Battlebaby09 · July 2011

I don't remember how far along I was when I was hired. I did know I was pregnant, but I didn't feel that they would hire me if they knew I was pregnant. Especially, since they had one girl that was about to pop on staff as it was. I am 20 weeks now... so I think I was about 8 weeks then. But I had to eventually tell them... I was having complications and coming very close to passing out at work. My hiring manager was not real thrilled when I told her, but I made it very clear that I didn't want to be labeled by my pregnancy. I would rather be labeled by the quality of my work. She has limited my hours to 10 hours a week, but I don't blame her. I have had to change my schedule once and go home sick once. She also overheard me talking to another coworker that I had worked through awful round ligament pain that lasted for 20 hours. So she is concerned if I should be working or not. I guess I am seen as a liability in a way. But I told her if I felt that I was no longer an asset to the company I would put in my notice and I asked her to tell me directly if she felt that way as well. I do believe honesty is the best way, but on this issue it is a hard decision when to say something. Best of luck!

NickaDee07 · July 2011

Tough decision. I vote no if you're not showing very much.

Mama2be177 · July 2011

Just wanted to say thanks to all you ladies for your responses. I have sent out a boat load of resume's but so far no bites. I don't know what I am going to do if I do get a job offer. I am just going to take it a day at a time I guess??

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