Job Offer withdrawn after informing employer that I am pregnant.

[Char1997]

Hi all,

I originally posted this on as a pregnancy thread. As the situation has evolved I have been advised to post on here. I was offered a job yesterday afternoon and although I know I was under no obligation to inform them, I told the employer that I was expecting in December. Since then I have had the job offer withdrawn as they felt that I “misled them” and wasn’t honest. Is anyone able to give me some advice if I were to take this further.

So stop saying it’s unfair on the employer.

Nobody forced them to start a business. They chose to and are bound by the law like everyone else.

No she didn’t have to disclose and this is what makes taking women on a risk - especially cases like this.

Women always have to work harder and longer to achieve the things men do, it’s not right but it’s life. And to me - this case is an own goal

Hello all! It was a preliminary hearing so the judge spoke to both of us and told us what to prepare for the hearing which is now booked in for the 7th of October.
As I thought she has said she hasn’t sought any legal advice whatsoever and I believe she will do now.

To everyone that wished me good luck I appreciate it so much you have no idea how much I needed it❤️ however this is going to drag on for quite a while longer!

To everyone that has come back to express that what they feel I am doing is wrong I just have to say that there are laws that protect against discrimination for this exact reason. If there wasn’t, lots of companies would get away with anything they wanted! I understand that yes maybe you feel I was honest in the interview however I had NO legal obligation whatsoever to tell a potential employer that I am expecting or planning to have a baby. That is against the law, my pregnancy should have no bearing whatsoever on whether or not I am capable of doing a job.
Why am I not allowed to find a job and financially support my family simply because I chose to have a baby?
There will be arguments for and against what I have chosen to do and I completely understand why.

Summersunandoranges having a business means taking on various risks. Don’t like it, don’t have one.

7th Oct as if u haven’t been waiting long enough. I can really understand why some women don’t put themselves through the hassle but then that’s what they would like.
Hope u get a justice in Oct
I’m also dismayed to see that some still think this sets women back. I don’t think fighting for your rights can set u back, I think it just makes it easier for women coming up behind you.

Well done. It's a shame it wasn't all done with today.

I can't believe they didn't seek any legal advice, sounds like they are winging it. That would explain why they haven't tried to settle out of court, I think you may get an offer soon.

Also to all the naysayers, If they cannot conduct their business within the realms of the law, they shouldn't be trading. I also would think they have insurance so should be covered.

Glad itge preliminary hearing went well today OP, pity that it will drag on for so much longer though.

For all the PP's who don't seem to get it, a firm no matter how big or small has to comply with the law and discriminating against an employee at any time because they are pregnant is illegal. Just because some of us are older and have had to put up with being treated like this in the past doesn't mean it is either right or fair.

Tillyteatowel the easiest way to avoid this risk is to not hire women of child baring age. Which of course already happens because of this.

OP she would have had legal advice and is stalling as she will wants the face to face meet. As so would I

For all the PP's who don't seem to get it, a firm no matter how big or small has to comply with the law and discriminating against an employee at any time because they are pregnant is illegal

She hadn’t actually started work. Not a single hour. Regardless if it’s the law I don’t think it’s right morally. And it DOES set women back from even getting an interview.

Summersunandoranges correct she hadn’t worked one hour, they retracted the offer on the grounds of her pregnancy. This is the issue.
And as a woman of childbearing age I fully support people like the OP striving for change.

It’s not just pregnancy either, mothers are discriminated against too.
No one ever retracted an employment offer to a male on finding out his wife was pregnant!
Just like you can’t discriminate on race, disability, etc.

She hadn’t actually started work. Not a single hour. Regardless if it’s the law I don’t think it’s right morally. And it DOES set women back from even getting an interview.

Well when you go for a job you can let them know anything you want to about you body as dictated by your morals. The rest of us can abide by our morals and the law and not share information we don't want to, especially when it can be used to discriminate against us.

Regardless if it’s the law I don’t think it’s right morally

The business didn't act morally here either.

Do you know anything about the company's current financial situation? It would be a pain in the butt to get to October only to find the company hadn't survived Covid-19.
Have your advisors/solicitors mentioned this to you?

This country is founded on law. OP is working within the framework of that law.

No one ever retracted an employment offer to a male on finding out his wife was pregnant!

Because the husband wouldn’t be taking up to a year off with a new job.

mama I don’t need to go for a job I own by own business - in a sector that is heavily dominated by men.

Yes women should and have to be protected by law. But businesses also need to protect themselves and because of cases like this women get over looked for even a job interview. And that’s my point.

It’s not my obligation to take on a woman who’s pregnant with the possibility of taking up to nearly a year off when there is some one else who can also to as good job that won’t be.

The Op hadn’t even stated what her time would have been (unless I’ve missed it) she could start work and immediately have to put on reduced work capabilities. Even if the law says what she has done is legal it has ramifications for more than just her. I’d also be interested to know how big this place is. If this is small company with a hand full of staff - which I think it is it could be game over for them all - including staff - Just because one woman who never even worked there sued them to the point of bankruptcy.

Be aware OP you might never see a single penny even if you win.

Whilst not under any obligation to inform them you're pregnant, it was a pretty sneaky trick to hide it. I appreciate the law is on your side, but I wouldn't be happy if I was an employer....it doesn't put you in a very good light as a potential employee tbf. I'd have concerns about your morals.

Really Footwife? I'd have much greater concerns about the ethics of a discriminatory business - I would avoid such a business and be vocal in telling others why

Some weird takes on what is moral or sneaky on this thread. Jeez. You don’t get to decide that pregnant women aren’t allowed jobs.

You don’t get to decide that pregnant women aren’t allowed jobs

It’s not just that though is it? And looking at it so black and white is what is making it unfair. No one is saying pregnant women are not allowed job. However some businesses need people that can do there role fully. What if lifting and carrying were part of the job role? Where as if the op had been there a considerable amount of time they would have been obliged to find some to fill that part of the role. What’s the point in taking some one on that can only do a fraction of what the role would entail and then they would be off for up to a year? That doesn’t make financial sense to the businesses.

And this is why men will mostly get the job over women especially when they don’t have to reveal they are pregnant to new employers

Because the husband wouldn’t be taking up to a year off with a new job men are entitled to share Mat leave now!

Because the husband wouldn’t be taking up to a year off with a new job.

Says who?

Parental leave gives new fathers the right to time off for the newborn, and I know at least three couples who have split parental leave equally between them (I would have split it with my husband if it had been available when we had kids).

I wish more couples would take it up because it would mean the risk borne by women seeking employment would begin to be split more evenly across the sexes.

Wishing you luck OP.

And to all the people openly admitting they would discriminate against pregnant women or find them not disclosing a personal medical condition you are idiots.
Anyone could go off long term sick, anyone you interview male or female could take shared leave. The law is there to protect against unscrupulous people like you and I hope it catches up with you.

FYI I am about to go on my second maternity leave. I’ve been at my company ten years and will have spent 90% of my time as a hardworking productive employee. My company is small but upon hearing I wanted to return after my baby offered flexible work hours and home working where needed. I work hard for them and they appreciate my skills - this is the mark of a good company. The fact that the OP never worked a day for her company is due to their discriminatory behaviour and they missed out on a potentially exceptional employee.

Good luck OP

That's a long wait until October. Well done for sticking it out and fighting for your legal rights and thank you on behalf of every woman who had been discriminated against.

If women won't stand up for their rights what chance is there of them ever getting equal treatment?

As an employer the last thing I want is for a woman to tell me she is pregnant during the recruitment process. If she does and I then don't offer her the job she may claim discrimination. I'm then going to have to prove that the information didn't form any part of the decision. Far better if I don't know that she is pregnant. That way no-one can argue that I discriminated against her due to pregnancy.