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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

HELP! Interview for council job.. 6 weeks pregnant.

38 replies

Kayleighox · 02/02/2018 11:30

Hi newbie to mumsnet sorry long post
I applied for a care home job start of jan when myself and my partner found out that he had no sperm count. I fancied a change of job, we were beginning the process to see what fertility options were avaible for us as we were told it could be 1-2 yrs. We found out last week we are expecting I'm sure I'm 6 weeks which is a wee miracle! I have an appointment with the midwife on 9th Feb and my interview is on the 14th.
This new position is a great opportunity, I want to go to the interview and be upfront about being pregnant and discuss my plans for returning back to work. As it would be good to have an idea. Although I'm not sure when in the interview to tell them or how to go about it. The worst they can do is say no. Thanks for reading xx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Crumbs1 · 02/02/2018 11:36

At six weeks it’s far too early to be discussing return to work plans and certainly not in an interview. The term counting your chickens, comes to mind as sadly at six weeks it’s impossible to tell whether the pregnancy is going to be enduring. One in four don’t get past the twelve week stage ( not something you need fret about and not something to top your joy but possibly something to bear in mind before spreading your happy news too publicly). Couple that with the possibility of hidden attitudes where they don’t offer the post because of pregnancy but on records it’s because you have less experience than another candidate, I’d absolutely advise not to be upfront.

MyDcAreMarvel · 02/02/2018 11:37

It would be really stupid to tell the interviewer that you are pregnant.

Bellamuerte · 02/02/2018 11:39

If you tell them you're pregnant they won't hire you. Basically you're an expensive liability because you're going to go on maternity leave and they'll have to pay maternity pay as well as hiring cover staff. They're not legally allowed to use pregnancy as a reason for not offering you the job, but that won't stop them doing it and claiming there's another reason. If you want the job DO NOT tell them you're pregnant!

bluecashmere · 02/02/2018 11:40

Do not tell them you are pregnant. They have no right to know and you are under no obligation to tell them. It could very easily count against you, even though that's illegal. It would be very naive to do so. And as PP said it's too early to be telling anyone anyway.

KadabrasSpoon · 02/02/2018 11:43

I wouldn't tell them either.
Do also take a look at what maternity pay you get in your current job as you won't qualify from your new employer (you would probably qualify for maternity allowance though)

KatnissMellark · 02/02/2018 11:43

Another one saying don't tell them. It's waaaaaaay too early and you are being spectacularly naive. Go for the job interview and see what happens. See what happens with the pregnancy. If both work out fantastic. You'll go on mat leave and they'll just have to deal with it. Good luck and massive congrats!

harlaandgoddard · 02/02/2018 11:43

I was in this exact position actually when I got pregnant with my DD. I didn’t tell them at the interview and it was fine, you’re still so early just say you didn’t know yet then tell them a few weeks down the line.

What do you do now? I wouldn’t recommend care work while pregnant TBH, are you used to being on your feet a lot?

Lifeofpies · 02/02/2018 14:12

I’m job hunting at the moment at 15w pregnant and will certainly not be telling anyone at interview. It will shape their opinion of you and the interview whether you like it or not. They may feel obliged to hire so as to avoid accusations of discrimination, or find a reason not to hire.

bellamuerta you are wrong about the costs to an employer - they don’t need to pay you anything if you’re already pg when employed (in England anyway). You have to have 26weeks continuous employment prior to the 15th week before your due date to be eligible for SMP.

Oysterbabe · 02/02/2018 14:32

If you tell them they will not give you the job. They'll say they prefer another candidate or something but a big reason will be because you are pregnant.

teabagfreak · 02/02/2018 14:37

Don't tell them..... 😳

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 02/02/2018 14:38

I started a new job when already pg with my second. I was just starting to show by the interview so I told them beforehand via their HR dept as I didn’t want them distracted in the interview wondering if I was. If I hadn’t been showing I would have waited until I was offered the job. I got SMP direct from whichever government department pays it while I was on mat leave as I obviously hadn’t been there long enough to get it from the employer. They did advise me on what to do and were very good, in fact I’m still there 9 years on!

LeeRoar · 02/02/2018 15:00

I applied for a job before I got pregnant, didn't hear anything from them until about 3 months later by which time I was 10 weeks preg. I still went for the interview as I really wanted to work for them, if not now - then in the future. I got through the interview, they were lovely and seemed to like me but I told them I had to be honest with them. They seemed very understanding and went through what would happen and even helped me weigh up the pros and cons of leaving my current employment. In the end I decided that it was best I stay where I was for now as financially it made more sense - and they said they'd keep me on file and to keep an eye out for more opportunities in the future.

I think it would be pretty stressful for you to have to learn a new job and also worrying about no maternity pay.

QueenAravisOfArchenland · 02/02/2018 15:25

I interviewed for and got a job while in the first trimester of pregnancy. I absolutely did not tell them anything until a) we were past the 12 week mark b) I had an offer signed, sealed and accepted.

Bear in mind you will only be eligible for maternity allowance if you start a new job while pregnant - no enhanced or statutory maternity pay.

bluecashmere · 02/02/2018 16:03

The reason I say don't is because I got a job offer but they wanted to delay formalising it for several months as they were trying to recruit a full team. By the time they were ready I was obviously pregnant. They wanted me to go in for a meeting to agree the details so I told them I was pregnant as there was no way to hide it. They suddenly said they would offer a short contract then make it permanent following that if it was going well. I realised that was just a way to get round the legalities of not offering me a job. I would never have been offered a permanent role and was pretty much told this but not in a way I could have proved and they knew I wouldn't leave my current job for a short contract.

westridingpauperlunaticasylum · 02/02/2018 16:32

I interviewed someone once who was so heavily pregnant I could almost see the head! She kept her coat on and a massive bag on her lap throughout. She never mentioned it and I certainly wasn't allowed to. She didn't get the job but she was genuinely not good enough compared to the successful candidate. Don't say a thing. It's too early and they won't employ you but will find another reason for it. It's illegal and shut but it's the reality. Congratulations btw!

Darcychu · 02/02/2018 17:51

people dont tell employers until at least 12 weeks and at most 26 weeks

Violetrose123 · 02/02/2018 19:04

you say the job is in a care home - is it a care assistant role? If so, are you wanting to tell them early due to the (potential) risks involved? Presasumbly the risk assessment would result in some restricted duties e.g. moving patients, manual handling etc

I agree with everyone else saying it is way too early to mention it at interview, but equally, if you get the job and it may be risky to your pregnancy then you need to ensure you have adequate protective measures in place as soon as you start

Violetrose123 · 02/02/2018 19:06

Also if you start a new job whilst pregnant you will not be entitled to maternity pay from the new employer (look up maternity allowance instead) so does that have a bearing on your plans?

Original poster

Kayleighox · 02/02/2018 19:43

Thanks for getting back to me and I understand what you are all saying. I know in my post it doesn't seem as if I have taken into account anything that could go wrong, though I am really nervous and worried same as the other millions of woman who have been and will be in the early stages. I just never had time to write a more information. I know this is a blessing we got told my partner couldn't have children. It's not that I'm telling everyone that I am. We have only told my partners mum. It's my first pregnancy and I am aware of what could happen. I know it's still early days it's just that I had been told there was a girl that went for an interview when she was 6 weeks didn't tell them and when she got the job and after telling them she got fired thtough a letter because of lying in the interview.

OP posts:

Roseandmabelshouse · 02/02/2018 19:48

If they are going to fire you for lying at the interview you do not want to work for them.

It's not lying. It's none of thier business and it's discriminatory.

MaverickSnoopy · 02/02/2018 19:48

Well that's discrimination right there. That shouldn't have happened to her and I expect it's a minority case where a company would be so brazen about it. Actually you're more protected once they know and you're employed by them. There is no law to say you need to tell them at interview! What if you didn't know? Plenty of women don't. Anyway its irrelevant. You would be INSANE to tell them. I mean that with kindness. Congrats on your pregnancy.

MaverickSnoopy · 02/02/2018 19:50

Just wanted to add that by law you have up until you're 25 weeks pregnant to tell them.

Original poster

Kayleighox · 02/02/2018 19:50

Violetrose123. Yeah because of the risks involved as wel. I already work as a carer out in the community. I still have to use hoists and other equipment. It's more manual like stretching and bedwork. Also along with the fact that if I nothing about expecting then they could use it against me after

OP posts:

Oysterbabe · 02/02/2018 19:50

Did they ask her if she was pregnant at the interview and she lied? Because they aren't allowed to do that. Not telling them isn't lying.

Lifeofpies · 02/02/2018 19:54

It is illegal to discriminate against pregnant women during recruitment. Pregnancy/maternity are protected characteristics under the equalities act. This is really helpful
www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/managing-pregnancy-and-maternity-workplace/help-and-support-employers/faqs-employers/employers-1

There is no way the woman you mention should have been sacked. I’m amazed they would state that it’s because she ‘lied’ in the interview as this is basically admitting unlawful discrimination.

You really should not worry about not telling a prospective employer.

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