job question

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I am finishing up my degree and haven't been really looking for a job. I honestly figured I'd stay at home for a bit and then look. The timing of the pregnancy threw off my looking. I had been looking on the west coast to facilitate our move, but now I just applied to 3 jobs in the area and have interviews with 2 places.

But I feel lazy, so I threw out a couple of resumes to places and have gotten a call back phone interview set up. I sent them out yesterday and I'm sure I'll get a real interview.

Should I bother? When do I mention my pregnancy?

I am NOT really showing, I look fat at 23 weeks. The bump is barely there.

I told my boss today (about the job, not baby) and she said, don't tell them, and asked if I really wanted a job now?

I don't need the money, but it's always nice right? And if I do the job, I'll definitely have to line up daycare, which I hadn't considered. What should I do?

[MonkeyMama]

Thoughts:

Though I don't think it is the worst thing to look for a job, overall,

A) Who will hire you if you mention how far along you are?

B) If you don't tell them, you stand to burn a lot of bridges.

B - is less because of getting hired and not telling, and more because *most* women decide to leave their job when they have a baby - whether they planned to or not. Has completely been my experience.

Thus, all you stand to do is piss off employers. From that end, I think it's just better to wait. (If you were desperate for income my answer would be different).

Is there any temporary possibilities you can entertain???

At the least I would be honest. Just not sure if that will get you anywhere either.

[maat55]

I would be upfront with them. Honesty is the best policy.

[wincrasher]

I think it's very unfair of you to take a new job and then very soon have to take maternity leave. Essentially you are taking a job from someone else who really needs it essentially for your own entertainment.

Also, many businesses are struggling and it's very costly to add a new worker - even more if you have to then get a temp to fill in for them while their on leave.

If they know about it upfront, then it's their decision - maybe they'll like you so much and want you on their team bad enough that it's worth the cost.

[disneysteve]

I tend to agree with the others. Although employers aren't legally allowed to ask about pregnancy, I think it would be quite unethical for you to conceal it. Bringing on a new employee involves various costs including the time spent interviewing and training the new person. To make an employer do that only to have you leave the job a few weeks later really isn't appropriate. Tell the truth. Let them know how far along you are and that you are just looking for something until you have the baby. If they like you and need you, they can decide if it is worth it to them to hire you.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I am applying for temporary positions. It's not a few weeks later, the process would probably happen fast actually. I'd work up to the day I'm due likely.

[disneysteve]

I am applying for temporary positions. It's not a few weeks later, the process would probably happen fast actually. I'd work up to the day I'm due likely.

There is no way to know how long you will work. Stuff happens unfortunately. One of my wife's coworkers just had a baby last week. She was only 26 weeks pregnant. Everything was just fine until then, no indication of a problem. Now the office is suddenly short-staffed because they hadn't made arrangements for a replacement for her yet.

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't work if you want to. I just think any potential employer should be informed of your timeline. You are talking about 17 weeks of work at the most and very possibly could be less than that.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

When should I even mention it? Not until an offer right?

[disneysteve]

When should I even mention it? Not until an offer right?

If I were the employer, I'd want to know before I wasted my time reviewing your resume, checking your references, interviewing you, etc. I'd want to know right off the bat if you were a viable candidate for the job.

[toboramai]

Im going to disagree with almost everyone here. It is not dishonesty but rather they have no need to know this information. Why would you offer information that you do not have to give?

It will hurt your chances to get the job if you offer this information. Why would I hire a person who will be out for FMLA in a few months?

My background: B-school and now in consulting for HR...I know HR.


Edit: it is akin to dating. You dont go on the first date and tell the person about all your family and health issues. You always put your best foot forward. You never lie but don't offer info that will hurt you.

[disneysteve]

Why would I hire a person who will be out for FMLA in a few months?

Exactly. That's why I feel it is inappropriate to withhold that information. You would be taking a job under false pretenses, going into it knowing full well that the longest you will possibly work is 17 weeks and potentially less than that. That isn't fair to any potential employer.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'm listening and wondering, do i just blurt it out or wait until I'm asked? And I think I'm starting to finally show. It only took 6 months.

[lovcom]

Im going to disagree with almost everyone here. It is not dishonesty but rather they have no need to know this information. Why would you offer information that you do not have to give?

It will hurt your chances to get the job if you offer this information. Why would I hire a person who will be out for FMLA in a few months?

My background: B-school and now in consulting for HR...I know HR. Same for dating...doing whatever it takes to "put your best foot forward" is indicative of lack of morals and ethics.


Edit: it is akin to dating. You dont go on the first date and tell the person about all your family and health issues. You always put your best foot forward. You never lie but don't offer info that will hurt you.

You know HR, but you don't know ethics ;-)

Getting a job at any cost is for those that are morally bankrupt.

Just because there is no law forcing one to disclose pregnancy, does not make it right to withhold this info. Once the employer realized one is pregnant, they will wonder how she didn't know of this fact at the time of the interview, and if she did know how come she didn't disclose it....

[lovcom]

I'm listening and wondering, do i just blurt it out or wait until I'm asked? And I think I'm starting to finally show. It only took 6 months.

You expect them to handle you in good faith, yet you don't want to do the same?

Disclose your pregnancy, and do the right thing...how would you want to be treated if you were the interviewer? Double standard?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Actually I worked before going back to grad school and we've hired pregnant women. Sometimes it's a long term investment. Hire the right person, instead of caring about the pregnancy.