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November 2015 Moms
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Changing jobs while pregnant?

vomitrosavomitrosa member
in November 2015 Moms

In the last 2 weeks I have been referred for 4 different branches in our local county offices, these are fantastic positions with full benefits and a substantially large pay increase from my current salary. I have waited almost 2 years post employment testing for this.....


But I am slightly worried for obvious reasons, I know that legally I can not be denied employment for being pregnant but it doesn't mean they can't find a way around hiring me to avoid discrimination laws. Should I be up front during the interview/screenings and let them know I am pregnant or keep it to myself until after potentially hired on. They usually interview 1-2 months advance for positions, so I would be starting August, maybe even September....I would really only be working for a month before maternity leave.


What would you do?

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Re: Changing jobs while pregnant?

  • modanz1modanz1 member
    If you are going to be interviewing in August, it's probably going to be pretty obvious that you are pregnant.  I would be honest if it was me.  Even if they don't hire you this time, you don't want to burn any bridges for the future.
    YCSWU 



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  • vomitrosavomitrosa member
    No, I am interviewing this week for all. The position starts in August.
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  • modanz1modanz1 member
    Oh sorry, I misunderstood.  My advice still stands though. :)  Good Luck, I hope you get it!
    YCSWU 



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  • KeHill08KeHill08 member
    Personally, I would be upfront with them. I had asked my friend who worked as an HR manager and she told me to tell the person interviewing me that I was pregnant and he actually congratulated me and said it made absolutely no difference to them! I mean, yeah, legally they can't discriminate... they could turn out to be really good about it. If you would be starting so close to when you're supposed to give birth, it would probably be best to tell them though.
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  • oliviaann91oliviaann91 member
    I'm applying tonight for a position that would begin in august. Right now I work 7pm-7am as a nurse in a hospital. I work every third weekend and alternate all holidays every other year. I have been given the opportunity to apply for a school nursing position in the district where my daughter attends school...7-3 Monday-Friday, no weekends, holidays off, etc. it's a pay cut for me but the benefits outweigh the decreased salary. I plan to tell them I'm pregnant up front, since like you I'll only be working 2-3 months before delivery. Unexpected but I hate to pass up the opportunity.
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  • CarrieOct15CarrieOct15 member
    I would be up front with them. I just started a new job a month & a half ago, & I told them my news immediately during the interview process. I don't regret it for a second. They were happy for me, & let me know that I would receive employer-paid short term disability. They also let me know they would be flexible about doctor's appointments & whatnot. If a job is going to discriminate against you for being pregnant, wouldn't you want to know something like that immediately? If you took a job, & they turned out to be anti-family, then you're going to have a lot more problems down the road.

    Good luck!
    Pregnancy Ticker
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  • thecoopsterthecoopster member
    Oh my gosh, I feel your worry for sure...  I was laid off recently and my last day is quickly approaching.  I have had a couple of initial interviews and have (I think) managed to cover up my belly, but something feels wrong about hiding it.  Like many women have shared already, I think I am leaning towards being open and up front with a future employer IF I feel like that job is the one I want for sure.  So that's what I would do if I were you and what I will do in the future...

    I don't know about you, but for some reason I feel a sense of guilt about coming on to a new job knowing that I'll only be working for a couple months before going off on maternity leave.  I think this is terrible, I'm not sure where it comes from, but I'm trying to get RID of it.  I believe no woman should have to experience feelings of guilt about her desire/ability to be a mother AND pursue her opportunities at a great career.  Just my two cents.
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  • oaksemoaksem member
    Thanks OP and posters. This is really good advice. I'm in the middle of job searching but also having a hard time with what to do when interviewing! I need to help out, but I also don't want to surprise an employer and have to leave shortly after being hired... Tricky tricky.
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  • mluppoldmluppold member
    I interviewed recently for a job and do not look pregnant at all- I told them as I felt it was just as important for me that they know upfront. They were very appreciative of the transparency. If you're the right person for the joB, 12 weeks is not that long.
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  • Kmohney1Kmohney1 member
    I'm in a similar situation, I'm going for a full on career change right now. I've been doing hair for years but it's physically draining and I hate working 12 hour days just to break even because our areas salon rent is so high. I just finished my degree and would like to use it. There's a great opportunity (lots of future advancement) but it's for a huge retailer. My maternity leave would be basically at the busiest season of the year and when the job would be most important (it's hr, lots more employees). My husband told me I should just wait until after the baby but I'm antsy now. And tired of standing all day. Thoughts?
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  • LeahV25LeahV25 member
    Try to be upfront and honest ensure them you will be back as soon as maternity is over and provide and excellent service as u did before you left. They sound too value you enough for a promotion let's hope they value you as a mum! Good luck hun xx
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  • hemik8hemik8 member
    I believe (with consultation from HR friends) that whether its legal or not, most businesses will find a way to discriminate against you. Many will discriminate if they find out you have small children! Many dont want to pay vacation and/or go without an employee for 12 weeks knowing that there will be frequent doctors appointments and a higher risk of sick time to follow. 

    That being said, it sounds like the opportunities are within the same company. So whether you're in your current position or a new position FMLA is a given - they may not care as much! A good friend pointed out that life is going to change immensely when the baby comes (esp. if its your first) - it may be worth it to stick with a job that you can do in your sleep because you may actually be doing it in your sleep! 
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  • megandchasemegandchase member
    I was pregnant went I got my current job. My previous boss was the one that told me not to disclose my pregnancy until after I was hired and my contract was signed. She said although they can't discriminate against pregnancy they can find other excuses to not hire. We just moved again during this pregnancy and I just told my new boss last week that I was pregnant. I told him that when I interviewed it was still early in my pregnancy and since we hadn't shared with family yet I didn't feel comfortable sharing with a stranger. He completely understood and said we will make things work and not to worry. I don't start the job until August
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  • japostolovajapostolova member
    I would wait. Some employers still discriminate based on pregnancy, although illegal. They can always say they didn't hire you bc of some other reason once they know you re pregnant. The only thing I would worry about is not being able to keep my job once I leave to take care of my baby bc FMLA leave would not apply. I would still take that chance. My job hasn't hired people bc they were pregnant. If you earn a raise and you are pregnant, they have no problem telling you your raise will take effect only after you come back from leave, again, although that is also illegal
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  • oliveoil95oliveoil95 member
    I'm so happy you asked this. I'm looking for a new job to. And I haven't known what to do. But I feel like I'm going to try to hide that I'm pregnant. I'm not going to get a job if I tell them in a 4 months I can't work anymore. I need some way to provide for my baby. I'm so lost as what to do. If I don't get a job I'm not allowed
    To keep the baby and I get kicked out of my house. I literally have to lie and I hate it


    At least I'm 5'10 and you can't tell I'm almost 20 weeks pregnant from how tall I am.
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