Job Interview- When To Disclose Pregnancy?

tigerlily25 · November 2014

Hi Ladies,

I'm sorry if this has been posted before (I believe I saw a similar post not too long ago, but I could find it). Anyway, I have a phone interview tomorrow for a position in another state. SO and I have been wanting to move closer to my family out west and this position would be perfect!

The questions is, when do I disclose the fact that I am pregnant? SO seems to think honesty is the best policy, and I should mention it during the interview. I am apprehensive about that since that may factor their decision to go with another applicant. However, if I wait until after I am offered the job, will that reflect poorly? Is there anything else I should be thinking of before seriously considering this position?

Originally SO and I were going to wait until after the pregnancy to start job hunting out west. That is another option.

Any advice, would be greatly appreciated!

somewheresublime86 · November 2014

You are under no obligation to tell them you're expecting. They're also not allowed to ask.

I'd keep it to myself, especially at this preliminary stage. Hope the phone interview goes well. Kick butt and take names!

tigerlily25 · November 2014

I am aware that it is illegal to not hire/fire based on pregnancy, however any company could come up with a number of reasons that they decided to go with another applicant.

CivilMommy · November 2014

I've job hunted while pregnant before. Do not tell them until you have a signed offer in hand. You can bring it up while negotiating salary and vacation stuff or wait until sometime after you have started working there.

Know that FMLA may not protect your job if you are there less than 12m before baby comes (or if the state has a more generous policy that could be less).

I'm assuming this is not a position where you can't do it while pregnant right? that would just be silly...if it was something you knew pregnants can't do for work.

specialsn0wflake · November 2014

I've interviewed and accepted three different jobs while pregnant. I've never once told a job during the interview process. I've actually never even made an official announcement. If they wanted to ask after it became obvious I would answer honestly. It's never been a big deal and no ones ever cared.

tigerlily25 · November 2014

CivilMommy said:

I'm assuming this is not a position where you can't do it while pregnant right? that would just be silly...if it was something you knew pregnants can't do for work.

Right, this position I can work right up until delivery.

Newbostonmomma · November 2014

I agree with all previous posters...do not tell them you are pregnant until AFTER you have been giving a WRITTEN offer letter. yes, it is illegal to not hire you based on the fact you are pregnant alone, but they say another candidate was more qualified than you if they wanted to. During my last pregnancy I was hired in a temp to perm role while pregnant and did not tell anyone I was epecting until I got that formal full time offer.

tigerlily25 · November 2014

Thank you all for the advice, I will definitely be waiting until if/when I am offered a position to disclose. That is what I was thinking, but SO had me doubting. Thanks!

deanafairburn · November 2014

I'm so glad to hear the advice of waiting to tell - I'm in a similar situation @tigerlily25‌ and it feels deceitful but I don't think it is. I'm applying for a part time low key job and I just remind myself students generally leave jobs in April and jobs generally anticipate a certain amount of hires to quit within 2 months of hiring as well.

knlouis · November 2014

yeah I work in HR and a company can't ask if you are prego or not. There is no need to share that infromation with them or any other "personal" info.

Good luck to ya

karboss · November 2014

Wait until the offer comes. If they seem to give you a hard time--which legally they cannot do--you may want to think about working in such a position. Giving you a hard time at the announcement would be a red flag for me about how they would treat you further along in your pregnancy. But by that time it is your choice and not theirs. I have been thinking about job hunting but I'm a teacher. By the time I start I'll be HUGE. No hiding it. It falls under you cannot prove it but... I'm hoping that if I start interviewing it will be a couple months after baby and I'll just look pudgy and not pregnant. I would like to have something lined up by the end of the year but I don't see that happening.

rmaurer08 · November 2014

lovemymuttzillas said:
Wait until you get an offer! Being pregnant has nothing to do with your professional skills. Good luck on your interview!

This!! Couldn't have said it better myself.

wolowizard · November 2014

I recently got promoted at work (moved to a different department) and I told them I was pregnant when I was offered the job, not at the interview.

angelfish628 · January 2015

Hi ladies,

I have an interview on Friday and considering I'm 27 weeks, its pretty obvious that I'm pregnant. Do you think I should still wait to tell them once I get an offer or just be honest during the interview?

I'm torn because I really want this job and have been applying to this particular company for 4 years!

Scarlettg · January 2015

I understand the desire to be honest; I feel the same way. But try looking at it this way: your pregnancy just isn't relevant information during the interview process. You wouldn't tell them that you love Cheerios for breakfast or that your dog threw up on the carpet last week. Not disclosing that information isn't dishonest; it just isn't relevant. Your pregnancy, because it doesn't (or shouldn't) affect your ability to do your job, is the same way.

However, in the interest of fostering a good working relationship, I would disclose your pregnancy when/if you're offered the job. At that point it would be very awkward for them to back out without it looking like discrimination, but the pregnancy does become relevant because you'd have to discuss leave etc.

Either way, good luck with your interview!

angelfish628 · January 2015

Thank you! @Scarlettg‌

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