Interviewing for jobs while Pregnant

juliehollz13 · April 2016

I know the topic of new jobs has been talk about a lot - but what about interviewing? If I just started a new job and found out I was pregnant I wouldn't care, but is it unethical to interview for full-time positions when I would be leaving in 7.5 months to go on maternity leave? Do I have to tell potential employers of my situation?

penelope4612 · April 2016

No you don't have to tell them. It's up to you if you want to tell them. Honestly I think it depends a little bit on how competitive it will be to get a new job. I personally wouldn't want to take a new job if they were going to hassle me about being pregnant so I think if you tell them up front, their responses will be telling of how family friendly the work environment is. With that said, if you're in a highly competitive or male dominated field then you might not want to tell people until you're hired. Also, many people don't announce until they are out of first tri so if you're not comfortable telling random people you're pregnant right now it's ok.

sammyl1221 · April 2016

Hi @juliehollz13 it is not unethical to interview for a new job!!!!! Seriously not to go on a rant but I hate the way this society has molded people into thinking being pregnant is a huge set back to companies. It's this mentality that leads to terrible maternity and paternity leaves. Id go on interviews and not say anything until you're ready to let them know. Unless you have ZERO desire of going back to work after having the baby.... That's a different story but if you plan on working then yes go on the interview!!

em01092 · April 2016

I don't think you have to tell them, and I think they can't ask, so long as your pregnancy would not affect your ability to do the job. I'm fairly certain it's illegal for an interviewer to ask you that, along with other personal questions. Now if you're potentially working with chemicals or doing intense physical labor that might pose an issue so I suppose it's valid to mention in that case. I think it also depends on so many other things, like if you work for a big company versus small, how cool your boss/supervisor is with you, and your time off situation. If you have flexible scheduling or hours, then it's obviously going to be less of an issue when you go to prenatal appointments if you have to punch a timecard and work 9-5 M-F. Also consider how much time would be needed to hire and train a replacement, even if it's just a temp employee. I plan to give my boss at least 5 months notice, especially because he offers paid maternity leave for up to 12 weeks.

WorkingOnMyNightCheese · April 2016

It's completely illegal for them to ask if you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, unless it directly has an impact on your ability to complete the basic tasks of the position. For example, if it were a beer tasting job while jumping on a trampoline, they'd probably ask and it would be okay. An office job, definitely not okay.

WorkingOnMyNightCheese · April 2016

Helpful link: https://www.aauw.org/2013/10/31/know-about-pregnancy-discrimination/

cayaylonglegs · April 2016

I am currently interviewing for new jobs and I am disclosing because a large part of my job is performing massages and I'm not sure how long I will be able to do that for. Some therapists can massage up to 9 months while other stop after 2 or 3. The two places I am interviewing with I already know the directors though and am not really worried about it.

amylianne · April 2016

I interviewed and accepted a new job when I was pregnant with #1. I told them after I got the offer letter. However, realize that you may not qualify for maternity leave if you are too new.

DiFazette · April 2016

I agree with @sammyl1221 about the stigma of pregnant women being a drain in the workplace, it's total bullshit, but it's real and we all feel the judgement. You'd want to research state and federal laws about leave guidelines if you're thinking of starting something when pregnant. You may not qualify for leave/FMLA, so do your research on this before you make any big jump. Also - I may have a different perspective on this since I had pregnancy complications and had to deliver early with DS. If a new job will up your stress factor 10 fold, I wouldn't do it. You don't always know that you'll be there for X months, I had to leave my office at 30 weeks with DS. That would put me at roughly 24 weeks at a new job with those circumstances if I started today. That's less than half a year.

lrg14 · April 2016

I was applying for jobs when I found out I was pregnant, and decided to stop. My jobs so flexible with doctor appointments, and I just felt more comfortable staying on. I like my current job though, and was just looking to broaden my horizons.

I don't think it's unethical and I think it's entirely up to you if you disclose the pregnancy.

yellingbanana · April 2016

When 10 weeks pregnant with my first, I was open in interviews and let them know I was expecting- and guess what? Not one of the 6 interviews ended in a hire. As soon as I told them I was expecting, their eyes glazed over and they pasted a fake smile on their face. While it is illegal to discriminate against expecting moms, it happens all the time.
As soon as I didn't mention my condition, I got all kinds of offers. Then once hired, about a week into the job, I "found out" I was expecting. They were all super nice, threw me a baby shower and all. But of course they had to hire someone else while I was on leave.

Don't tell. It's your right.

I am actually applying for teaching jobs that start on the fall, and I'm not mentioning anything about being pregnant!

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