to go for a job interview when I know I am pregnant?

[teenytinypontipines]

I have a dilemma! Just got invited to a second interview for a job I'm really keen on - but two days ago found out I'm pregnant (very early stage, only just missed period).

What do I do? Carry on with the interview and tell them I'm expecting if I get offered the job? Pull out now? Or say nothing at all, then if I do get offered it, turn up in 3 months time (my notice period) with a bump...?

baby no 1 took 18 months to conceive so I kind of thought I wouldn't be in this position

I think your solution sounds like a good one teenytiny. Fairest to everyone (including yourself). TTC is unpredictable and I don't think women should have to put their career development on hold whilst waiting to conceive. You weren't pregnant when you applied and did the first interview for this job, so I don't think you should feel under any obligation at all to pull out at this stage.

Totally agree with mumofaboy. Just because something is your right, doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

"especially if you know that you are doing all the work and may not even be entitled to return to the position. "
why wouldn't she be entitled to return AANA?

If you want to be upfront, go to the interview and tell them you are pregnant then. If you're planning a short maternity leave, you could say that. Don't withdraw. If they really want you, they'll take you, and if they're put off by the pregnancy, they can offer the job to someone else without breaching any laws.

For myself, I interviewed while pregnant, without disclosing it until the offer. I had no job at the time and couldn't risk losing the job over it. I took a short maternity leave. The boss was pissed off at the start, but got over it, and it's ancient history now.

By NicknameTaken Tue 02-Mar-10 15:29:43

"if they're put off by the pregnancy, they can offer the job to someone else without breaching any laws."

Er, no they can't. If the pregnancy is the reason they offer the job to someone else that's illegal discrimination.

OP if you feel you want to withdraw should you be offered the job, that's up to you. I do recommend not telling anyone until a decision is made though. Give this employer the opportunity to judge you purely on your merits and make a decision unencumbered by information about your pregnancy. If you tell them you are pregnant before they make a decision one of two things could happen. They might discriminate. Or they might immediately feel under pressure to offer you the job because they are panicky about a discrimination claim. If you get offered the job or not you want it to be on your own merits and nothing to cloud the decision either way.

SPB, I thought that in some jobs you had to be in the porition a certain amount of time before the job would be kept open for you? Sorry if I am incorrect in thinking that.

afaik you are entitled to 12 months ML and to return to your job or equivalent. Pay depends o length of service. anyone know?

Seriously, employers are going to go back to discriminating against all women and a lie like this is part of that problem.

Excuse me rainfatclouds I am not lying! At the time of the first interview I had no idea. I am going in next week for the second interview. If I get an offer, then I will tell them and pull out. If I don't it's irrelevant. but I don't want their decision to be confused by a revelation that I am pregnant.

Others have suggested saying nothing and only telling them after I start... yes I know that's within my rights but it's not a position I want to be in. (Or need to - I do already have a job and am not in desperate circumstances).

alternative would be to pull out now but it's a company I'd love to work for in future and I if I pull out now I won't have the chance to (hopefully) impress them enough to make them want to keep in touch and employ me later.

No, teenytiny, I'm sorry, I realise that. I meant more generally and I didn't express it well. Good luck with your decision.

teenytiny, I thnk you're doing the right thing, and the clever thing, keeping your options open and your relationship with this company on the best possible footing.

teenytiny my post was a general opinion BTW - I think what you're doing is the best way of handling it.

teenytiny well done you have that rare quality integrity so best of luck and congrats with pg. Dhzoo translation please, or go back to the yurt with Germaine et al. jamaisjadore "Iam in the public sector so there was no extra cost involved," sums up the attitude towards waste some in the PS have today.

Fingers crossed for you teenytinypontipines. I hope you get the job, tell them you're won't take it because you're pregnant then they beg you to reconsider!

Actually as generally speaking the public sector is very slow to recruit (to save money) then a three month delay in getting someone into post is not that big a deal. As there are often shortages of good staff it isn't a situation that would cause that much stress - better to have someone good start a bit late than not to have someone at all. Certainly for both teaching and health because the workforce is predominantly female maternity leave is a very normal part of staff planning. It would be different if someone started when very pregnant with the idea of taking the full year out (or not returning at all), but a few months really is quite different.

OP if you are the best then the company may well be prepared to wait for you. Good luck with the interview.

If they offer you the job, tell them at that stage. You'll be able to gauge by their reaction if they're bothered by it.

Based on that reaction, it's then your decision whether to take the job or decline.

It's true that they cannot retract the offer on the basis that you're pregnant, but if they're obviously put off and really dont want you there, you'd have to question if it's a good move or not.

bernadetteoflourdes what are you suggesting ?

""Iam in the public sector so there was no extra cost involved," sums up the attitude towards waste some in the PS have today.""

I got pregnant while already employed by the public sector in a secondary school.

I interviewed and was offered TWO jobs at university level when I was a few days late with my period - no pregnancy test done.

My maternity leave was going to be paid for by the government whatever happened.

The fact that I gave birth in September meant that all my statutory pre-birth leave was actually during my summer holidays, you can't add it on to the end when you are a teacher.

I returned to work after the legal 12 weeks after birth, and have been working my arse off since then, and I still think I was the best-qualified to do this job.

I have now worked here for 6 years, I don't see that having 6 months total for 2 children "off" is a "waste" of a money for anybody.

And nooka is spot-on about the public sector, we are luckily able to see things a bit more long-term seeing as staff are extremely loyal (maybe for that exact reason, you have entitlements but you also feel obligations because of those entitlements).

Hi teeny and all . This thread is interesting I would like to add my thoughts teeny on your situation...

Well a few Q's first...
Is this job your going for something you have wanted to do for a while? Have you been looking for a job change to make you happier? Is it more money? If Yes to these...then go for it. How can you justify not going for a job that will make you happier in the long run, be better for your family??

If you were to get the new job, would it start within the next 18-20 weeks??? If so then once you get the job, and settle in, get to know the role better, you can write to your new employer stating you are pregnant (also arrange a meeting to speak face to face, but its always a good idea to have it dated as and when you told them)...this way they will have enough time to meet all legal obligations to you regarding 'pregnant women at work'.

The rule of the thumb is that you have to tell your employer at least 15 weeks before baby is due..the earlier the better, its not illegal not to tell them later than this, but dont expect them to have to meet all obligations to you. If you do not tell them early enough you run the risk of them not paying you when it comes to ante natal visits, maternity pay etc...

"
You must tell your employer that you are pregnant at least 15 weeks before the beginning of the week when your baby is due. If this isn?t possible, for example because you didn?t realise you were pregnant, you must tell your employer as soon as possible. You should also tell them when you want to start your maternity leave and receive Statutory Maternity Pay.

However, it's a good idea to tell your employer earlier, because it will let them plan around your maternity leave and carry out their legal obligations to you. This is particularly important if there are any health and safety issues. You cannot take paid time off for ante-natal appointments until you have told your employer you are pregnant." Direct.gov.uk

On the morrals side of it...That is up to you and your conscience, but I know that I didnt go for a job when I first found out I was preg purely becuase I thought I would be wasting employers time...Now I realise I should have took the job (doh)

"t's unlawful sex discrimination for employers to treat women less favourably because of their pregnancy or because they take maternity leave. Such treatment includes things like:

trying to cut your hours without your permission
suddenly giving you poor staff reports
giving you unsuitable work
making you redundant because of your pregnancy (you might still be made redundant for other reasons)
treating days off sick due to pregnancy as a disciplinary issue
Your employer can't change your terms and conditions of employment while you are pregnant without your agreement. If they do, they will be in breach of contract."

I personally wouldnt tell them you are preg, cause they will favour someone else over you...they can just not offer you the job, not becasue your preg, but because 'they think bla bla is more suitable' this isnt illegal - they will not state to you that you didnt get the role cause your preg, they will just give you another reason. That is wrong morrally...so why should you put your happiness on the line for 'them' and be morrally correct and tell them your preg.

OP - sounds like a good decision - up to a point....

I agree with not telling them yet, going to the second interview and seeing if they offer you the job - all good so far

However, if I really wanted the job, wasn't planning to take a lot of time off and felt I could do a good job, I'd probably not decline the position, but make them understand that should they select candidate number 2 after this revelation then I'd understand - not following the letter of the law I know, but it seems morally right - then I'd hope they'd still want me, but accept it with good grace if they didn't.

Good Luck!!!

somehow Id be more forward and say something like ' I dont want you to select another person over me, I want this job, I think that Im suited for this role..for the few months that I may take off as maternity leave, is nothing to compare to the amount of years I will spend working for the companies benefit, I hope you can see my point, although it may cost you for maternity leave cover, it will definatelt not cost you in the long run, I hope that I can persuade you with my dedication to your company'

Jamaisjadore Yeah Right all PS workers feel the same high obligations because of their generous entitlements, this is of course why Public Service Middle Managers take the longest sick leave of all, 17 days per annum. (these are NHS auditos statistics some PS workers have a stronger sense of entititlement rather than obligation I think

Actually I don't have any more generous entitlement than anybody else.

My SIL got 2 more weeks mat leave than me pre-birth and a month more post birth while I was on just standard.

The "privilege" that I have is that I know I will have a job to return to after maternity leave and will not be side-lined or penalized in other ways for being a woman.

Sadly not always true for private companies.

teenytiny - I actually think your solution is a very sensible one. You absolutely would have the right (legal and moral) not to tell them and take the job if offered and I think it is very sad that a lot of people responding to this thread do not see things like that. I think I would recommend this course of action if you were not currently in employment. However, if you leave your current job now it is likely that your maternity leave pay will be less that if you stick at your current job. Plus by being voluntarily upfront about your pregnancy you are building up good relations with the prospective employer and hopefully they will still be interested in employing you following your maternity leave. All round the best practical solution - you get paid more during maternity leave, when it would doubtless be useful, and maintain relations with the prospective employer!

jamaisjedors sorry got your name wrong twice
please forgive