AIBU? Job application at 10 weeks pregnant – opinions wanted!

[ladlemonke]

I want to apply for a job that has come up at my local council, however am coming to terms with the news that I am 10 weeks pregnant.
Having spent the last two years studying to allow a career change, finances are in a sorry state, and even if I wasn?t pregnant, I would still be needing to bring some money in to take the strain off DP.

This job is exactly what I want to do, I feel that its perfect for me and vice versa, barring one factor ? baby!

I have had a couple of weeks to think about it, and have really stewed and stewed over it. I cant help but consider how the employers would feel/react if I got the job and then told them they?d only get at best about 5 months work out of me. And although I?ve always thought of myself as career minded, I have to acknowledge that I don?t know for certain if I would return.

Does anyone have any personal experience of something similar, or an opinion? All (reasonable!) feedback appreciated.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

I think you should apply for it and not tell them. I'm sure that companies aren't allowed to discriminate against you for being pregnant so even if they did know it shouldn't affect their decision (yeah right). So obviously don't risk it by telling them. You have to look after number one, they will get over it.

[becklespeckle]

I would apply for the job anyway, not sure if I would tell them about the pg though as you don't have to tell your employer until 21 weeks or something I think!

[flowerybeanbag]

apply and don't tell them, you have no obligation to legal or moral, and no obligation to say when the time comes if you would not return.
They will get over it as pp says, and you must think about number 1. They are not allowed to discriminate obviously, but similarly you shouldn't discriminate against yourself by not applying in the first place iyswim?

[SleeplessInTheStaceym11House]

id go for it without telling them, but know that you wont get SMP etc (although that wont make a difference if you're not working now) you do have to tell them a certain amount of weeks before you're due but thats not for ages go for it!

[primigravida]

That is such a difficult situation. I know how you feel. I had to make the same decision when I got pregnant and needed to find a new job within the same month. In the end I decided to go temping as I know that I want to stay at home with the baby when he's born (only ten weeks to go!) and felt it would be unfair to an employer to only be there for the duration of my pregnancy. In hindsight, with the way that temping agencies have mucked me around (and no maternity pay), I wish I'd gotten a proper job when I still could and actually earnt some decent money instead of having to be dependant on DH before the baby is even born. So good luck figuring out what you want to do, I'd say go for the job and give the council your best for the next five months.

[ladlemonke]

mmmm... seems kind of unanimous!

I kind of know you're all talking sense, i just have an overdeveloped sense of 'doing whats right', (usually to others more than myself!)

Yeah, i should apply, it's true. In any case, they might not even give me an interview!

Thanks to all, it all helps bolster my confidence/ ignore the guilt complex

[Flibbertyjibbet]

You have nothing to lose by applying - if you don't get the job then nothing lost. If you do get it then you have the job you really want, so you'd be more likely to return. Its a local govt job, they are the LEAST likely to kick up a stink about it. However be aware that if the position has a 6 months probationary period, they can finish you in that 6 months without giving a specific reason. But if they really like you and you love the job then why should they do that?
Two years ago whilst about 8 weeks with ds2 I saw a registrar position at my local council, I had the same dilemma as you, in the end I didn't apply. I've always wanted to be a registrar and postitions hardly ever come vacant. I did regret not applying for a while, but a different opportunity came up after my maternity leave so I'm ok now!

[PatsyCline]

Go for it. I applied for a job with an existing employer and realised whilst waiting for the interview that I was pregnant. I got the job and accepting it was the best thing I have ever done.

I worked for a big corporation, so I didn't feel too worried about them finding cover for me.

Good luck - I hope that it all works out for you.

Patsy

[Smittals]

The same thing happened to me and I appreciate the dilemma you are feeling - I didn't want to have to tell my employer once they'd employed me that I'd be off in a few months. So I did the interview and (without meaning to sound arrogant) could tell that they were really keen. Then right at the end I told them I was pregnant - I think their faces fell so far they nearly came off. The way they wished me 'good luck' on the way out had me thinking 'blown it'! However, I was still given the job. This may have been because it was a simple entry level job to the career path I wanted, or because my new manager, present during the interview, was very supportive, I don't know. However, when I told them, I was careful to phrase it as 'I know that I don't have a legal obligation to tell you this yet, but I just want to be upfront from the start...' This at least reminds them gently that there are laws re: discrimination, without directly saying 'don't you dare discriminate against me'! On the other hand, I have a friend who didn't tell, and still managed ok once employed, just by being thick skinned about it. They can't fire you!

[flowerybeanbag]

Also don't tell them because you may get the job because they are scared of a discrimination case and you wouldn't want to get it because of that.
I'm sure that's not what happened to smittals but it has been known.

[ladlemonke]

Thanks all of you, for giving me the benefit of your experiences.
It's sooo much appreciated, more so as its early on and haven't told many folk yet re pg, and therfore cant ask them what they think!

Am writing the application now, and will just have to wait and see what happens.....

[flowerybeanbag]

In an organisation I worked for a few years ago, a senior regional director was doing some interviews, offered the position to a candidate who then told the director she was pg. Candidate had had a fit of 'conscience' and said she was letting director know before accepting the job 'in case it was a problem'.
Director rang me to say 'just checking, we don't need to stick to our original offer of employment then do we?'

[flowerybeanbag]

Should add, director was a woman, btw.

[ladlemonke]

Love and admire your honest approach Smittals,it warms me cockles that your honesty didnt count against you.


However, i am a realist, (and also i am a terrible liar) and suspect that flowerybeanbags tale is more representative of employers, anti-discrimination legalities or not.

[DizzyBrummie]

I applied for a job before I was pregnant but they took so long that by the time the interview came, I was pregnant. I told the woman interviewing me (I had worked for her before) as I didn't feel I could go for the job and then let her know. I think it's hard because now I wonder if she felt like she had to give me the job so she couldn't be accused of discrimination. It's tough either way, especially when you feel an obligation even though the law is on your side.


Best of luck with the job!

[bookwormtailmum]

In theory there should be no discrimination..... in practice, I'd hate to test it. I'd keep quiet and wait til you get the job offer in hand before you tell them.

[JoyS]

You don't have to tell them. I applied for and got a job when I was 10 weeks pregnant and it was kind of awkward when I did tell them (a few weeks after starting) but no problem really.

Also, you can get SMP if you work for 6 months before your maternity leave starts, even if it's only part time.

[FluffyMummy123]

Message withdrawn

[madamez]

As it's a local govt job I would say go for it. I'd be more worried about someone appllying for or accepting a job in a small independent business that might struggle to cope with the maternity leave etc.