I could really use some advice about this potential job. WWYD?

1faceinacrowd · April 2016

I had an interview today for a remote opportunity as I've been looking for remote jobs for about a month now. The interview went well and I'm hopeful that I'll get a second interview (it's with a company who's contracted with a former employer of mine; I have lots of experience in the area and with this company). But here's the dilemma... The position is a Consultant position and my first project would be a one-year project beginning in April. Obviously, I wouldn't be available for that entire year because of the pregnancy. Do you think, since it's an actual contract for a year, that I should tell them sooner than later that I'm expecting? I normally would wait until the time of the offer, but this is a little different because they actually have a contract with this client to assign a Consultant for the year.

Another part of this dilemma is that the "remote" part of the opportunity only lasts until this particular contract is up. After that, I'd be required to travel if I'm hired as a regular employee. The recruiter told me that if I don't want to have to travel and only want to take remote opportunities, they could hire me as an hourly contract employee (no benefits obviously, but higher hourly pay). DH carries our insurance so I'm not worried about that aspect, but obviously I wouldn't get paid time off, FMLA, etc. and I'm not even sure how it works if you're on an hourly contract and have to go on leave due to pregnancy. So I'm not only struggling with when to tell them that I'm pregnant, but whether I would accept the full time job, knowing I'd probably have to start traveling full time (and at that point would likely need to start looking elsewhere), or if I would accept the hourly contract position, knowing that once this contract is up, I'd technically be unemployed for the first time in my entire life (terrifying) until I find another contract role or another job.

So, I would REALLY appreciate any input/advice that I can get. If you had to choose one, which would you choose? (Side note: I am still employed full time so worst-case, I can stay there. But I HATE my job right now; I'm absolutely miserable. These new jobs also pay a lot more than my current salary.)

pelorunningmama · April 2016

Gosh, that's tough. If it were me, I would let them know I was pregnant now because of the contract they have with the client. It obviously could influence their decision, but I feel like in this particular instance it could be awkward to have that conversation later.

Good luck!!

mouse1029 · April 2016

I agree with tell them now. And normally I would never be in that camp. Since it is remote, how soon are you willing to be available after the birth? I would try and outline that for them before having the conversation.

tmk0325 · April 2016

I've been in a couple similar situations in the last month. I would wait until after your second interview. Who's to say you would even get a second interview. You don't want to give them a reason not to interview you (even though legally they can't not because you are pregnant, but they 'can go with someone with more experience').

I also was was interviewing for a position with travel and was glad (even though it was a great job) that I didn't get it. I did however tell them before I flew there. I do think that me being pregnant with twins probably played into their decision a little bit. Where they willing to make the investment on me? Be flexible? Etc. I thought I could make the travel commitment but in all retrospect I probably wouldn't of been able too that well. I have since taken a part time job with great pay, no benefits and it ends in sept 2017. I'm ok with this, I don't have benefits thru my SO so I'm on my own, but it's what is best for me right now.

Something you could ask the company is are they growing? Is there room for expansion after the contract is up? For me the college I'm at tends to keep people around after their time is up so that was a big incentive to take this now and not look for something else.

Im not sure exactly what to recommend, but I think I would wait to tell them regardless. Even if it's just thru the next interview. Any idea if they will do more than two interviews? You could also ask them how many candidates they are considering also. I think if you wait, I'd tell them when they offer and I would probably do the hourly position, since you have benefits through your husband. Also, I used to work from home and I loved it. It was hard to go back to an office even part time. I think that would be a pro right there even to just take the hourly contract if offered.

bsckgb7 · April 2016

tmk0325 said:

I've been in a couple similar situations in the last month. I would wait until after your second interview. Who's to say you would even get a second interview. You don't want to give them a reason not to interview you (even though legally they can't not because you are pregnant, but they 'can go with someone with more experience').
___________________________
QBF
Actually, assuming OP is talking about hired as a "independent contractor" and not employee, just probably will NOT have the same discrimination rights as an employee, so yes they could discriminate based on pregnancy.

OP: You say the pay is better, but have you looked at your tax bracket? Assuming you are an "independent contractor" you will have to pay taxes on the earnings you make and you will pay more in taxes working as an ID versus an employee (7.65% more).

SkiChic626 · April 2016

I, personally, wouldn't accept a job offer while pregnant for any type of job. I don't think it's fair to me or the employer. If fact, when recruiters reach out to me I tell them that I'm expecting, but hit me up in January 2017 if they have any new opportunities. Obviously they're not allowed to discriminate because of the pregnancy, but I still don't think it would be ethical for you to hide it given the nature of the contract. That said, if you do want to move forward with the job, I wouldn't tell them that you're pregnant until you have the offer. While they may not cite pregnancy as the reason for not hiring you, since it's illegal, they'll likely find some other reason that you're not the right fit.

Bookhousegirl · April 2016

I would tell them in the next interview, only because of the nature of the position. If you don't get the call back, it makes the decision for you.

I will add, that as the owner of a private practice (so no benefits, sick days, etc) it is a big sacrifice. My benefits also come from my husband, but the lack of paid time off can be rough, especially with a kid. Everytime I have to take a sick day with DS I lose quite a bit of money and, with a new baby that happens even more often. I love the flexibility I get, but there are many times I would trade that in order to have the security of paid time off - and a consistent paycheck. The taxes are also a huge PITA!

Knottie1427415498 · April 2016

I would be blessed that you do have a job now, and just stay there. What's a few more months??
At least it will be easier on you to take leave when your baby comes. When you're on leave, I think THAT is when you should start looking for the other job.

Nikkoli98 · April 2016

At your next interview you could ask if there is a contingency plan for medical leave / vacation / time away, and play off of their response. I personally would disclose the information just because I would worry about it too much, but don't be apologetic and don't give them reason to discount you as an applicant. Let them know how much time you anticipate needing off and will have daycare options to assure productivity once you return from leave.

I whole heartedly agree with PP about the tax part. I pick up some independent contractor hours and I hold 50% of that pay for taxes! Also this past year the staffing group switched companies and instead of a 1099 they gave me a K1, which was not nearly as good for me with regards to tax deductions. Ekkk. Maybe you have a tax accountant you can consult with...

I disagree with PP, full time employees spend so much of our lives at work, if you aren't happy and have the opportunity / skill set to do something you will enjoy and is a good fit for your needs, you should move along!! Life is too short to hate your job.

1faceinacrowd · April 2016

Thank you all for your responses!!!
I read through your replies and thought a lot about it. @tmk0325 you made a good point about the travel aspect. The more I think about it, the more I'm pretty sure I don't want to accept this position either way (if it's offered). I'm going to send the recruiter an e-mail, respectfully declining, and asking that she keep me in mind if anything comes up that would not require extensive travel in the future. I definitely don't want to do the 1099/contractor thing; I'm just too uncomfortable with the idea of no PTO and being technically unemployed between jobs.

Also, @Knottie1427415498 (jeeze you have a lot of numbers in your name lol), I see what you're saying and I am absolutely grateful to have a job at all, but I'm searching because I REALLY want to be in a remote job by the time my older kids start school in August if at all possible. Their elementary school is less than a mile from my house and it would be sooo perfect if I could just work from home and be responsible for dropping off/picking up from school and getting right back to work. Plus, the company I work for now makes me miserable. I'm a salaried employee but they treat me like I'm hourly (making me take PTO if I work a single hour less than 40 hours, even if there's nothing for me to work on, constantly "monitoring" my hours, being really weird about work from home even though they told me I could on occasion when I was hired, etc.).
I did decide that if I don't find anything by the end of May that I'll hold off on my search until maternity leave, because I want to at least be able to put in 2 months of work before having the baby, and I'm under no delusion that I could continue to work with a newborn at home.

tmk0325 · April 2016

Just remember, everything happens for a reason. If it's not the right time now, it will happen eventually and have what you are looking for!

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I could really use some advice about this potential job. WWYD?

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