Jobseeking while pregnant

[spaghettihooligan]

Need some advice! I gave up work to be a sahm when dc1 was born 5 years ago, though I have done some part time freelance work since. In the meantime, I have had 2 more kids. The plan was always to go back to work at some stage, and I have spent the last 2 years doing part time courses to retrain and update my skills.

For the last few months, I have been applying for jobs but nothing has materialised from it. However, I have now discovered that I am pregnant again. It is early days, and I don't want to completely abandon my job search. As it is, I still want to work and would be happy to do so until the new baby is due, and also to return once the new baby is 6 months old. But I'm not sure of the etiquette.

Is it ok to apply for jobs while pregnant? At what stage would I have to disclose this to future employers? Has any of you lot ever managed to get a job while pregnant and how did it work out for you?

Personally I think it’s unfair to go for a job and not tell them you are pregnant.

But life isn’t fair so if you think you can do it then apply and only tell them when you start to show.

Thanks. I do feel that it's unfair in a way not to disclose it, but on the other hand I can't see anyone giving me a job if I tell them at the earliest opportunity either Plus, it is very early days right now so it would be jumping the gun to tell anyone, let alone a perspective employer.

prospective

On MN it's positively encouraged to do this but tbh, I think it's a bit of a shitty thing to do.

Is it shitty because of the time the new employer will invest in training you etc? Or for another reason? I wouldn't be entitled to paid maternity leave anyway with such a short working period so the time/investment/training thing is the only reason I would think it shitty. But surely if I was definitely going back after maternity leave then it wouldn't be too much of an issue. Or would it?

On MN it's positively encouraged to do this but tbh, I think it's a bit of a shitty thing to do

It is encouraged on here but I couldn't do it. It's not fair on employers and likely just makes them think twice over candidates when they next employ someone so jeopardising others chances.

I'd temp given you won't be eligible for maternity pay from an employee anyway. You'll get upto date references and not put anyone out.

It depends on the job. It’s it’s a short contract/shift work that will end before you go for maternity then it’s perfectly fair not to disclose. If it’s a permanent position then you are basically expecting them to hire you then tolerate a 6 month break for which they will have to find a replacement for in about six months or so. It does depend on the job but in a lot of positions this would cause a huge administrative burden/disruption. Use your common sense. If you were the employer how would you feel if someone you hired knew they were pregnant but didn’t tell you?

Im searching for work (or will be once this awful sickness goes). I'm looking for temporary or fixed short term contacts. Realistically they'd probably get rid of me once probation was over if they realised i was pregnant unless it was a very niche job and they want only me, so were willing to wait on me.

On MN it's positively encouraged to do this but tbh, I think it's a bit of a shitty thing to do

But what if something goes wrong with the pregnancy and then you have missed out? What if you're the right person for the job?

I know several people who were offered professional jobs when pregnant and the employers didn't bat an eye lid because they were satisfied that they were the right candidate for the post. If someone is going to be in the job long term and bring the right experience then what's 6 months?

That being said, I couldn't do it, but only because I would feel like my job security was unstable if moving from one job to another during pregnancy. In the OPs situation, if I needed the experience or money then I would do it.