To not mention pregnancy during interview process?

[1Wanda1]

I am interviewing for a job I am really interested in, in quite a niche area where jobs don’t often come up. I’ve gone through 2 rounds and have been asked to the final round, with the big boss who is coming over from the States to interview the shortlist candidates.

Under normal circumstances, if I were to be offered this job, I would take it. However, I am 12 weeks pregnant. My dilemma is whether I should tell them this now, before the final round interview, or wait to see whether I am offered the job or not before saying anything. On the one hand, with my own experience of recruitment, it would be annoying for the employer if they had identified me as the favourite, offered me the job, and then I said great but I am pregnant. On the other hand, with my selfish hat on, I really want this job and if I tell them now, they might not offer me the job because of that. I know that would be discrimination etc etc but it is very easy simply to select another candidate and no one can prove the reason.

The first 2 rounds of interviews were very spread out, so when I first heard about the job, I didn’t know I was pregnant, and at the first interview I was only just pregnant. Second interview was then a few weeks later. From the interview process, I know that this team is going to expand over the next 12 months and I suppose what I have in mind is that it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that if they liked me, they might keep me in mind for a role after my maternity leave (and offer the job now to someone else). But I would need to meet the big boss to get that buy-in. And I might not get to meet him if I announce my pregnancy now. On the other hand, I might lose goodwill if I get to the end of the recruitment process and only tell them then. WWYD?

If you are the right person for the job they will wait. How 'professional' is the job/is it niche with few people who have the skills?

Also, would there be a medical as part of the recruitment process?

Ouch! I think you went into this process with the best of intentions and from my experience you will not be offered this job if you tell them you're pregnant.

It's a gamble whether or not they end up holding it against you if you do accept it, go off pregnant within just a few months and return a year or whatever later :/

Legally though. You don't have to disclose. My gut feeling says don't tell them and go for it. I got pregnant very quickly after starting a job and they were absolutely fine about it. However applying for jobs as a new mum.... Forget it! Nightmare

What are your intentions with maternity leave?

Of course don't mention it. You're just giving them the opportunity to discriminate. If you're the best person for the job you being pregnant shouldn't matter.

The job is in an area of law. It's not so niche that they won't be able to fill it, but it's an area into which they usually have to hire laterally, hiring people who don't have experience in this area. I do have some experience in this area.

I would be 15-16 weeks pregnant by the time they offered me the job (if they did), and am on 3 months' notice so realistically, would be going on maternity leave within weeks of starting. I really don't think that is fair and so I would, at best, have to tell them I am pregnant after they offered me the job (if they did).

If you wanted a shorter maternity leave of 3 months then I'd encourage you to go for it.

I don't know if I'd want to be offered the job and then telling them you'll begin for a fortnight before leaving for a whole year though.

If you tell them you won’t get the job. They will discriminate despite it being illegal. For your baby’s benefit you need to put yourself first and do what’s best for you. Keep your pregnancy a secret and if they hire you’ll they’ll just have to suck it up.

Don't tell them prior to any offer being made. If you are right for the job they will still want you.

I interviewed for my current job at 5 months pregnant. I told them after I signed the contract. It was not a problem. They wanted me.

I've been there 20 years now so not a big deal in the overall scheme of things, although maternity leave was only a maximum of 4 months at the time.

Do not tell them you are pregnant. If they offer you the job, accept and then tell them.

I wouldn't tell them beforehand. There's way too much discrimination against women because we might even in the future have the audacity to inconvenience an employer with a pregnancy let alone for a woman already pregnant.

By law they are not allowed to take it into account, so it would be sensible to protect all parties involved by not sharing this information.

I know they aren’t supposed to discriminate but They would never say you didn’t get the Job because you’re pregnant would they. They’d be a different reason.

I wouldn’t tell them. Good luck

Don't tell them unless you're offered the job.

I am on maternity leave now and went for a job in may, I discussed in my interview that I would be willing to shorten my mat leave should I be successful, if it meant that i could secure the job. They said that they'd rather wait for the right candidate than just fill the job with anyone, which was really nice.

I was offered the job and they aren't expecting me to return until November when I would be returning to my normal job anyway.

I think it shows passion for the role, should you offer to do something similar and I personally think they'll respect you for being upfront but willing to compromise.

Also, congratulations!

Really it depends how long you are planning to take as maternity leave. If you get offered the job you can tell them but say you'll only take 4 weeks leave and then I'm sure it won't be a problem.

If you're planning on taking 6 months or a year though I think you need to tell them now unfortunately.

Will you be working a 6 month probationary period. If yes, then I would be honest. They may still take you on, they can let you go on probationary period if they were unhappy about the pregnancy.

That's interesting jazzyfizzles - how long will you maternity leave be in the end?

I am not willing to take only 4weeks or 3 months maternity leave. I would take at least 6-9 months. Bearing in mind that they are likely to need to recruit again within 12 months, I am wondering whether I could wait to see if I am actually offered the job, and if so, tell them that I would love it but am not in a position to start (because of pregnancy) until the second half of 2019, and see if there might be any discussion to be had around that possibility.

This is tricky! I had a dream job interview at 6 months pregnant and the panel were very shocked when I wobbled in!! I explained it was my dream job and after the birth would not be taking a long maternity leave. I said that IF I was successful I’d be able to commence in 6/9 months time if they were happy to wait. They offered me the job which I accepted and started 3/4 months after the birth. Full time. They employed someone else on a short term contract for the interim. I was amazed and delighted! Of course, I couldn’t hide the fact though. But likewise wasn’t going to miss an opportunity. I think women can explain this.
If I were you I would continue the process all the way to the end as if you say something at this stage and get rejected then you’ll never know if it was pregnancy or skills related. If you continue the process to the end and are rejected you’ll know it wasn’t pregnancy. If they offer you the job then you can explain that you didn’t want to miss such an amazing opportunity and applied regardless but you’re pregnant. Ask if they’d be willing to wait until baby is x age. This then gives them the option to employ their second choice but keep you on file. Won’t your mat leave be better taken with your existing employer and move jobs a few months later - when baby 3/4 months. Depends if you want a long time off etc.

Good point tomatoesrock - I hadn't even thought of that!

Cross posted - that’s exactly what I’d do.

Hmm rightly or wrongly if they ask if you're willing to shorten maternity leave and you give the above answer they may think you will be unwilling to be flexible in the future (I'm not saying I agree with this)

I interviewed for my current job when 4 months pregnant. I did tell them as would have felt uncomfortable not being honest. I am still there nearly 8 years later. I only took 6 months may leave but they were fine and I think appreciated the honest.
However, you have no obligation to tell them. I would maybe see how the interview goes and make a call on the day.

I'll have had 9 months off in total, i agree to some respect with you have no obligation to tell them, and can to a degree understand you not telling them.

I'd just maybe leave it until the day and gauge how the interview feels, and wether it feels right to tell them.

Do not mention this - I’d even hold off until 25w when you’re legally obliged to tell your employer.

you'd be an absolute idiot to tell them. you have no obligation to, morally or legally. and it shouldn't factor into their decision - there are ways to mitigate the impact around your being temporarily off once you've been hired.

why on earth would you give them the chance to automatically decline to take your application any further - there's only a downside here for you!

they could hire a man for the job and he could be hit by a but 2 weeks after starting, or get really ill, or need time off to deal with a family situation, or decide to take parental leave, or maybe just quit the month after starting... businesses need to be able to cope with these situations, and your being so upfront is of no potential benefit to you at all here.