How to navigate a job change

lhbird87 · May 2014

Hi,

I am hoping to find some insight on a very specific situation. I got pg at a bad time, unexpectedly. I was working at a call center part time and going through my last year of college last October when I started having seizures regularly and for the first time in my life. I had no idea what was going on at first, but I had them about once a week. By January 20th I had lost the job due to missed time. This was after having a particularly bad one at work, being ignored by everyone (though I am assuming they didn't notice since I do not have violent tonic clonic seizures) sitting there for 45 minutes or so (which I can't recall) unable to tell anyone what was going on, and being walked out so my husband could take me home. Then finding out the manager on duty told them I went home with a migraine even though this manager had been told by me that I had been having seizures.

Being unemployed And kind of unemployable I was able to get a work study job on campus where I could come in once a week and do all my work from home. It didn't pay much, but helped a lot and made me feel better to technically "have a job". In the meAn time, my neurologist has found an epilepsy drug that controls my seizures very well (not ideal but ok in pg since benefit outweighs risk) and I am 1 month seizure free (the longest I've gone since onset).

I also have RA which we JUST found out after I was pregnant (I was going through all the testing right before I found out) and if I weren't pg, I would have been started on a DMARD (Plaquenil) if that means anything to anyone. However as it typically does, it seems to have gone into remission during pregnancy, but may come back after. Really, my body just quit being my friend one day!

Here is the issue: I just graduated and this was supposed to be job searching time and as happy as hubby and I are, Me being pregnant complicates things in a way I for know how to navigate. So because I'm no longer in school I am now unemployed and my hubby's income probably just won't be enough right now. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I didn't work, I jut don't know how we will afford to live.

I feel like my only option is to go back to where I worked before. It doesn't pay well and won't use my degree of course, but it would be temporary. Because of they way I left and they knew why I am able to be rehired. I have a fear which is possibly irrational that I will encounter a lot of triggers up there due to the type of work (call center).

So more on the specifics: my DH was also in school with me for the same degree hired in an entry-level position in the small town where we live before even graduating. We were planning on moving somewhere bigger with public transportation (since I may not always be allowed I drive. I can only do so any time I am at least 3 months seizure free) and where there are more jobs so that we can both secure work in our field since we do the same thing. So if I can find a job in my field here I guess it would be okay, and a good way to get experience for a year or a few years before we both persue the better paying jobs that just aren't available here.

I don't know how to go about job searching while pregnant. I am 9w5d and already looking round in the tummy. I know I'm not supposed to be showing at this point but I am starting to look pregnant (or like I always just finished an enormous meal with a large carbonated beverage).

When do I tell a potential employer about my pregnancy? After receiving an offer? After accepting an offer? After I've already started or before they commit to hiring me? I don't want to be unethical. Do I even have a chance to get hired at this point?

I know this was a super long post and just wanted to sincerely thank anyone who read this far. Also, thank you in advance if you can offer valuable insight.

AnonnAni · May 2014

Wow you have gone through a lot and glad to hear things are looking up in many areas. As to your actual question you would go aboutthe search in as normal a way as possible. I have looked for a job while pregnant and its no different. Only thing I would advice is to ask about a busy season so you know if that time will be around your delivery and leave but all in all they cant ask, nor can they deny you a job based on pregnancy status. Some places do ask if you would need some time off that you know of and I would gauge that on a person to person bases as to whether or not you let them know the entirity. You can say you may need a little time off in December but you dont anticipate it being to much time or interferring much with your work schedule... After hired then yes I would let your immediate supervisor know but beyond that its up to you.

lhbird87 · May 2014

Thanks for the advice... So just to clarify you say don't tell them until I'm already working there? What if I'm showing by the time I get an interview? I just always thought you had to work some place at least a year to get maternity leave as that was the case with my last job and if you were pg they did the same thing that they did for my seizures: have you quit for medical reasons as rehirable. I know a professional job requiring a degree and skill set is different than a call center.

Anyway thanks so much for your advice and experience

lhbird87 · May 2014

IamInigoMontoya said:
As PP mentioned, legally they cannot deny you employment because you are pregnant and you are under no obligation to disclose this during the hiring process.

That being said, it's a personal decision. I know some people disclose during the interview or once an offer has been made to gauge whether or not the environment is family friendly. Some people wait until they know they have the job for sure.

Also keep in mind that employers are not required to grant FMLA if you have not been employed with them for at least 12 months.

Thank you

I think my concern is having them think I pulled a bait and switch and being unkind, making my job miserable, or finding a loophole to fire me "for another reason"

Now when you say FMLA does that encompass all maternity leave? And. What happens if you havent been there for 12 months and you have a baby? Supposedly they can't legally fire you, but somehow my former employer gets away with it

AnonnAni · May 2014

I interviewed at 5 months pregant with baby number two they make work appropreiate things in maternity stores that would be great for a interview, and depending on how you carry and are dressed its an assumption that maybe someone may make but what reference to your average size do they have on frist meeting you? It depends on your employer but that is something that is disclosed to you benefit wise. My current job all benefits were instated the first day of work. But again thats something that is case by case with the employer but that information is normally available on their website if it is a large company, check the career opportunity section adn they will have the benefits listed. Go into the situation assuming not and maybe that works out the best, as long as your family can survive without it being a paid leave. Overall you are not required to tell them about your pregnancy status, marital status etc. Pregnancy qualifies as a temporary disability under the American's With Disability Act. Under the act, an employer must provide a pregnant woman with reasonable accommodations that allow her to perform her job optimally. So they cant fire you while employed prior to the birth thats for sure and depending on how long you have been at the job doing the job from a business perspective it cost more to replace and employee then to wait for one to come back from leave SPECIALLY if the employee is currently not under the benefit plans b/c of length of employement. There is a work load loss but thats it, other than that your maternity leave wouldnt cost them in covering you which is normally the issue with employers it costs a lot to cover the employee benefit wise while they produce no work.

lhbird87 · May 2014

Awesome points @AnonnAni‌. I thought after the first trimester it would be too late, but it doesn't really sound like that has to be the case. I think we could arrange things where we could afford for me to have unpaid leave, as long as I have a job when I come back.

AnonnAni · May 2014

Most places would be willing to hold the position b/c they have poured a lot of resources into recruiting the "right candidate" for the job in the first place and that is not a cheap undertaking for a company. So the benefits of that are kinda in your favor for the most part. I think you would need to know the length of your leave though. With a place you were covered under benefits 12 weeks would be an easy sell but considering the circumstances you may have to consider 4-6 weeks soemthing a lot more reasonable work load wise for the company in your absence. So it will have to be a compromise on both parts yours as well as the company, but it is very doable without having to advice of your pregancy in the interviewing proces unless you feel comfortable doing so.

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