finding a new job after knowing you're pregnant

Re: finding a new job after knowing you're pregnant

• BabyHope2013 member

  January 2015

  I think that you need to decide what your plans are for after baby first. That being said---you are only 9 weeks along, so you won't be showing for a while and even then you could buy yourself some time during interviews by wearing clothes to hide your belly. 

  
  

  If you are looking for a job, I would not reveal that I was pregnant until after I got the job offer. They cannot legally discriminate against you---but they could say that you don't meet qualifications for the job when really they don't want to hire you because you are pregnant and will want time off. When you accept the job, I would then ask for time off after the baby comes. You likely won't qualify for FMLA or have alot of time banked to be able to use for a maternity leave. 

  
  

  If you don't have the intentions of returning after the baby is born, you need to let your employer know well before you leave to have you baby. 

  
  

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• pb&fluff member

  January 2015

  If you can afford it and you're planning to SAHM for 2 years, I say don't bother, unless you're dying to work, then I'd get a retail job or something.  Especially if you're not going back.  If you're really interested in real-estate then maybe, but you would have to get licensed, right?
  

  
  
  "You know my name, not my story.
  You've heard what I've done, not what I've been through.
  If you were in my shoes, you'd fall the first step."
  
  

  
  

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• Mustardseed2007 member

  January 2015 edited January 2015

  pb&fluff said:

  If you can afford it and you're planning to SAHM for 2 years, I say don't bother, unless you're dying to work, then I'd get a retail job or something.  Especially if you're not going back.  If you're really interested in real-estate then maybe, but you would have to get licensed, right?
  

  This is what I think also.

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• scout610 member

  January 2015

  Thanks all. To clarify.. we are blessed in the sense that my husband makes enough money so we can live comfortably with only his paycheck but like I mentioned I'm just so used to having a job and contributing.  I feel as if I wouldn't be able to deal with the guilt of screwing over an employer after 6 months or so when they've spent the time and money to train me and that they would also not treat me as well when they find out that I'm pregnant and screwed them over.  I'm mostly worried I will get bored and go crazy and that after 3 years my experience on my resume will be irrelevant and I won't be considered for anything.  I've been searching and searching for temporary jobs though and have also been considering getting licensed to be a realtor that way it could be a flexible schedule kind of thing I could do while having a newborn as well..

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• alli2672 member

  January 2015

  If you are thinking of working some after you have the baby, start looking for a job in your field and discuss PT or flexible hours in the interview.  If nothing else you will get a realistic picture of what the job market is in the new city, and you will make some connections if you are looking for something later on. 

  Don't become a realtor.  From what I hear, it is actually not that great of a job for a mom of young kids unless you have on demand childcare. 

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• banks81 member

  January 2015

  If you don't need the money, have you thought about finding a volunteer organization in your community?  It could be a great way to meet new people, too.  I also like the idea of finding a fun retail job where you won't feel guilty leaving in 6-7 months.  

  
  

  Ditto not doing the realtor thing if your reason is because it's super flexible.  From what I've heard, it's the opposite.  Clients want to see houses when they want to, not when it works for your schedule.  

  
  

  And, it's been said on the board before, but don't plan on actually WFH (as a realtor or anything else) unless you have childcare during the times you plan to work.  I WFH on a regular basis and the days that my DD is home sick from daycare and I'm trying to get work done, it's a disaster.  I end up working early morning and/or late night to catch up on everything not done during the day.  And the ONLY reason I can do this on days she is sick is because my boss is super understanding and knows I'm responsible to get my work done (most of it after hours).

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• lorist202 member

  January 2015

  Many women, including myself, have gained employment while pregnant. I was also planning to SAH after baby. Every job I disclosed my pregnancy, I was turned down immediately. The first job I waited until the offer to tell, they not only hired me, but post partum, gave me incentives to return, such as giving me a part time schedule until I'm ready for full time, and even letting me dictate my own responsibilities. My boss continually tells me I'm an asset to the team, and ive been back for 8 mos. and happy. I would not have sought out a position with career longevity, but it found me, and now I'm glad.
  
  You never know what flexibility the company has, or even what the future holds for yourself. I would go ahead and start applying.

  

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• howin23 member

  January 2015

  I had a similar situation and ended up interviewing with a company when I was clearly pregnant. Since I was 6 months along and felt that it was obvious, I decided to just tell them. I got through the interviews, including with the CEO, who said he wanted me to join the team.
  
  The next week, the headhunter called and said he expected me to get an offer within the next week but the company wanted to know...would I be breastfeeding? for how long? when was I planning to have more children? did I have family in the area? would I be using a nanny or day care? I told him the questions were inappropriate and could not legally be used in their decisionmaking process. He kept pushing and finally I got annoyed. I ended up saying I was no longer interested.
  
  I guess my point is that even though it is illegal to discriminate, think about how you'd feel if a company you really liked asked you those illegal questions, and whether you'd want to work there. Perhaps I'm lucky that they showed their true colors. It's the kind of stuff you think never really happens, but it does =/.
  

  It's a girl! Due November 22, 2014
  

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