XP - Applying for a job at 5 weeks pregnant

festivusforme · March 2012

Hi there, I'm currently employed, but am concerned about the direction of our company. I've put out a few applications. In a large corporate setting, do you think I should inform the interviewer that I am pregnant, even if I'm only 5 weeks along?

I'd feel guilty not telling them, but I'd hate to not be truly considered.

Do you think I could actually benefit? As in negotiate qualification for maternity benefits (don't most companies require a year of work first?)?

Thoughts?

VTFutureMrs · March 2012

I was in the same position last year. I was 5 weeks pregnant when I interviewed for a new job. I waited until they offered me the job before I asked any questions regarding maternity benefits and leave. I needed to know the benefits so I could make a decision on whether to stay at my current job or take the new one. They were very helpful and understanding, so I did end up taking the offer, but I never would have done so without knowing the benefits. My company offered 6 or 8 weeks off based on the delivery with pay, but I did not qualify for FMLA because I had not been there a year. That didn't make a difference though because I wouldn't have used FMLA even if I was offered it. I was just concerned about getting leave and getting paid for it. Good luck with your decision...I know it is a tough one!

festivusforme · March 2012

It kinda feels like a catch 22. The places I'm applying has fantastic maternity benefits, but I don't know how long you need to be there to qualify.

vanillacourage · March 2012

Tell them when you have your final (post-negotiation) offer in writing , and that you'll need X weeks of maternity leave in order to accept. I just went through this last fall and it was fine.

finhope11 · March 2012

I responded to your other post as well, but do not tell them. It's a illegal for them to ask you, and if you voluntarily give them the info, they can't use it in their hiring decision. I personally, do not want that kind of legal exposure. It puts them in a uncomfortable position, because if they don't hire you, you could claim discrimination.

If someone is the right person for the job, maternity leave is a minor inconvenience.

Also, it's standard to request benefits info when negotiating a job offer, so you do not need to disclose the info.

You won't be covered under FMLA though (since you will not have been there a year) so they will not be required to hold your job for you.

Julia_JJ · March 2012

Like others have said - tell them when they make an offer so you can negotiate benefits. At that point, they're invested in you and your future at their company.

NerdyMama2 · March 2012

I wouldn't tell them yet. Get the offer in writing and then tell them.

waTracy · March 2012

I agree on waiting to tell. It's still very early in your pregnancy. Once you get hired, then tell them. They will have plenty of time to prepare for you going on maternity leave. And you are so early, that you could just tell them that you "just" found out even Wink

vanillacourage · March 2012

waTracy:
I agree on waiting to tell. It's still very early in your pregnancy. Once you get hired, then tell them. They will have plenty of time to prepare for you going on maternity leave. And you are so early, that you could just tell them that you "just" found out even

Just FYI, I wouldn't wait until after you're hired to tell them. At that point you're at their mercy on what, if any, maternity leave they want to give you. On my regular board just a week or so ago, a poster waited until the offer to tell, then when they found out they said they would only give her 6w leave. She countered with 8w, they said only if she had a c/s. Ultimately she turned the job down because she felt she was better off where she was at.

teresajean01 · March 2012

I interviewed for my current job at 22 weeks pregnant and didn't tell them until I started at 24. I delivered 4 months after starting, did not qualify for FMLA, and got only 6 weeks off unpaid. I work for the school district and got 2 weeks off at Christmas and another week of snow days so my sick leave covered the remaining time off. However, if it had been a different time of the year, I would also have had to pay for my own benefits during that full month I wasn't working which would have been super tough.

It worked out fine for me, but I wouldn't tell them in your situation until later. Most women don't even know they are pregnant at 5 weeks. Even though they legally can't discriminate against you for being pregnant, I wouldn't want to be treated differently because of it.

mac&chip · March 2012

It also depends whether the company's maternity leave is covered under FMLA or STD. I started a new job last year and found out 2 weeks after my start date that I was pregnant. Thankfully, my work has maternity leave fall under STD, so I got 60% pay even though I haven't been there a year.

mrs_bella · March 2012

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and am interviewing. I am not planning on telling them until I (hopefully) receive an offer. Good thing I am not showing too much yet! I figure that if they recruited me and really want me to work at their company, taking a short leave--whether it be 6 months or a year from now (since we would eventually have another child even if I wasn't pregnant now)--should not be an issue. Good luck!

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