Think I have Just Been Declined A Job Because Im Pregnant .. What Rights Do I have?

[reban]

I applied for a job for which i am overqualified when i was about 14 weeks pregnant. By the time they got around to the interview stage i was 22 weeks pregnant. I managed to hide bump and everything went along swimmingly, all positive noises and encouragement from the interviewers. At the Q&A bit i informed them i was 22 weeks pregnant but that would not effect my ability to do the job. I also informed them that i was available straight away or would consider a postponed start date of early next year. They went a bit cold after the pregnancy anouncement but did inform me i would hear within a week. Forward 6 weeks and i still had not heard so i phoned the company's HR department. The guy there told me a decision had not yet been reached but i should hear soon. Within a few days i got an email reiterating this, and two days ago i got an email saying i had been unsuccessful. I emailed them straight back asking for more feedback and was told i would get a telephone call from the hiring manager. So i emailed back asking for a written transcript of notes taken during the interview and test results.

Basically i dont know what to do next. It was a step down from what i had been doing so there was no question of my ability to do the job and i really feel i have been discriminated against, as far as i knew they could not not offer me the job bcause of my pregnancy but have i got that wrong?

Any advice please gratefully accepted!

You were overqualified.

Perhaps there was someone who was not overqualified who applied.

I did think of this but there were at least 10 vacanies!

In current economic situation maybe they decided not to recruit 10 yet, hence the delay in coimmunication, or perhasp there was an internal restructure allowing others already employed to apply for those positions. tbh you don't know for certain what has occurred since your interview nor that it was soley because of being pg you were denied it rather than your overqualification, for example, and consequent uncertainty you'd stay long term, so I suspect you'd have a hard time proving otherwise. What they cannot do is ask you about it at interview or then withdraw an offer of employment due to pg, however they can choose not to make one afaik.

They may think twice about hiring soemone who was over qualified as they may think they wouldn't stick around for long and I would have to rehire. There may have been ten vacancies but maybe 10 people of the appropriate qualification level???

Maybe the delay because they were checking references??? They may ahve chossent he 10 they wanted and needed to wait for the results of references before they could definitely say you hadn't got the job as you were on a reserve list???

It's difficult to judge until you get proper feedback

Unless you have in writing that they declined you because you are pregnant then how can't prove that was the reason you were declined, I cannot believe you mentioned it tbh.

well i had a phonecall from the recruiting officer today to say the original number of vacancies had been 10, then it was dropped to 5 and they were filled. I was basically number 6 on the list and another vacancy has become available so have offered me the job!
Cant help feeling that i have only got this result because i questioned their decision, but i dont care, i should be starting in the next couple of weeks so will get 8-10 weeks in before i give birth!

well you are ruffling a lot of feathers before you even start imo

great way to begin a new job

well i started this thread for moral support and advice i didnt expect to be frowned upon. I only went for the job because we are in the financial situation that i need to be bringing some money in at the moment .. to me that is more important than the amount of feathers i am ruffling.

Olive that's a bit mean. As far as the OP knew she didn't have the job when she asked the question.

Congrats reban and good luck.

thanks chequers

I don't think there is anything wrong with asking for feedback after your interview, I've recently been on an interview panel and would gladly tell applicants why they didn't get a job.

I also think if there is genuine concern that you are being discriminated against, then that warrants a bit of feather ruffling.

People who don't ruffle feather don't get anywhere.

So, have they employed you permanently, or just for the 8 - 10 weeks you will still be available? What happens then?

its a permanent job offer .. i have already been contacted by my manager and they are keen to get me started asap (looking at 20th oct) and a few people from HR asking me questions. In fact all the people who have contacted me have been really nice.
They asked when i would be working till .. decided on 12th dec as will be 39 weeks then .. and will arrange starting back date after i have had baby. All very positive and keen!