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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Interview whilst pregnant

27 replies

Thegirlhasnoname · 16/07/2020 16:09

To anybody that works for my department it is likely to be outing but here we go!

I’ve got an internal job interview for a higher band job in the next couple of weeks but I’m also going to be 11 weeks pregnant by the time of the interview. I know I legally don’t have to tell them that I am pregnant but morally I feel like maybe I should? But then I have the inner thoughts that how will I know if it gets used against me if they do know..

What would you do?

My thoughts right now are to let them know if I have been offered the job and before I sign a contract because I wouldn’t be telling work this early otherwise but I honestly don’t know.

Any thoughts will help! (I know some people might flame me for applying whilst pregnant but it is a very good step up in my career and I am not going to be on maternity leave forever and not planning on any more children, if that is of any use to my case)

Thanks

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yoyoyooo · 16/07/2020 16:10

I'd personally keep quiet

gd34 · 16/07/2020 16:30

Do not tell them you're pregnant!!!

MichelleOR84 · 16/07/2020 16:31

I think it’s great you applied ! Good for you !! I would keep it quiet . They can’t ( well shouldn’t ) use pregnancy as a reason not to give you the job anyway so don’t feel bad for not telling them . From their end it shouldn’t make a difference if they know or not but we all know that’s not always the case ! Good luck !!

MotherofPearl · 16/07/2020 16:31

I think it's fine not to tell them.

Years ago when I was trying to get my first proper job, I found out I was pregnant on a Monday and had a job interview on the Wednesday. I didn't dare mention it, especially as it was such early days and I knew anything could still go wrong. On the Friday they rang to offer me the job and I accepted. It was a pretty intense week!

I spoke to my boss about the pregnancy about 3 months later, full of apologies. I remember my hands were shaking beforehand I was so nervous, but he was very understanding about it. My DD is now 12 and I'm still in the same job!

BeMorePacific · 16/07/2020 16:34

Don’t tell them!!
The best person for the job should be the one that gets it! My husband employed a pregnant woman (without knowing) and afterwards once he knew, he thought it was great she had applied x

Bubblingresentment · 16/07/2020 19:11

I went for an interview at 34 weeks pregnant and obviously couldn't hide it. I'm public sector so they can't discriminate if you are. I got the job and start when my maternity leave ends. That doesn't really help you I know but people do get hired even when they know you're pregnant. However, in your situation I'm not sure I'd mention it tbh.

MumMrs85 · 16/07/2020 19:33

I had this exact situation and agonised over it for weeks. It was also an internal interview for a post I have wanted for a while. I was advised by many people, including my husband, not to say anything.. However it went against the grain for me, so I had the interview on Tuesday, at the end I was asked if I had any questions, I said no questions however in the interests of honesty and integrity (which I had discussed as my attributes in the interview) I am 14 weeks pregnant. I went on to explain that I worked up to my due date in my previous pregnancy and I plan to do the same this time and that I know it won't be used against me but I wanted to be transparent.

The two interviewers congratulated me and said it would have no effect (they have to!) and now I'm waiting to hear if I was successful. To be honest I think it's such a personal preference, but once I decided to tell them and when I did, I felt a huge weight was lifted. If I hadn't it would have been just kicking the can further down the road, if I did get it I would feel awkward having to bring it up later and look dishonest and if I don't get it I guess I just have to live with the fact that it was hopefully just because i wasn't good enough, not because I was judged on my pregnancy.

Good luck whatever you decide to do, only you know what sits best with you.

Onekidnoclue · 16/07/2020 19:37

No way would I tell but then I know that it would count against me hugely. Haven’t told them I’m pregnant this time as waiting as late as possible for minimum arseholage.

ScottishStottie · 16/07/2020 19:48

Normally i would say dont tell them but i think that as its an internal position i would he erring on the side of transparency. I know that you dont have to amd they cant hold it against you, but if you were to get the job (or even didnt get it!) Then eventually when the pregnancy became public then people would know that you were at the time of the interview, and they may think less of you for it (wether this is fair or not) and it may cloud decisions they make regarding you in the future.

The fact that you have to work with and see these people no matter the outcome of the interview makes is a more difficult decision

Original poster

Thegirlhasnoname · 16/07/2020 19:51

One of the companies values is to be transparent (public sector) and it specifically said in the job description that you had to uphold the values of the company. I know a lot of job descriptions say that kind of stuff but I’m worried it would be more of a mark against my name than if I told them I was expecting.

But then part of me thinks that I’m due early February and having a c-section late January so they’d still get the best part of 6 months out of me (which coincidentally would be enough time to hopefully pass probation if I got the job!)

Maybe I shouldn’t tell them like you’re all advising. My moral compass is all over the place 😂 I already stressed about whether to apply for days too. The thing is that I know, and they know from my covering the role previously, that I can do the job but this secret is making me even more nervous for the interview than I usually would be

Thanks for all the replies though ☺️

OP posts:

Original poster

Thegirlhasnoname · 16/07/2020 19:54

@ScottishStottie that’s the exact dilemma I am having. If it was an external company I was interviewing for then I definitely wouldn’t tell them but since it is internal it is making me second guess everything.

OP posts:

Bubblingresentment · 16/07/2020 20:06

@Thegirlhasnoname as you're public sector and it is an internal post I would do as @ScottishStottie

heroineinahalfshell · 16/07/2020 22:11

Slightly different but I have an interview for an internal promotion on Monday, when I will be 36+2! Obviously in my case they are well aware of the pregnancy and my impending leave (I'm off for a full year, finishing in 3 weeks time). I almost didn't apply but was encouraged to by the outgoing postholder as well as a lot of other senior colleagues.

I think for you it's a difficult one - in your position, I think I'd want to 'fess up, but equally you don't want to wonder if they discriminated against you should you not get the role. But there's definitely nothing wrong with you applying - you shouldn't have to limit your career aspirations just because you are pregnant, that's why it's a protected characteristic. You have as much right to go for the role as anyone.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

Original poster

Thegirlhasnoname · 21/07/2020 07:49

I’ve got my interview today and am thinking to err on the side of transparency. Very nervous to do so though, on top of the normal interview nerves!

Hopefully you got the job @MumMrs85 and your interview went fine @hero

OP posts:

Russell19 · 21/07/2020 07:54

I'd do what @MumMrs85 did. Mainly to avoid the awkward conversation in a few weeks when you do announce it or need to go to appointments. Good luck OP!!

Original poster

Thegirlhasnoname · 21/07/2020 19:33

Little update:
I told them at the end after the questions I had regarding the role. Went with something similar to what @MumMrs85 did at her interview. No congratulations or anything, just a smile and a “thank you for being transparent”

I got offered the job this afternoon though a possible start date was mentioned and training I will have to undergo but again, no mention of the fact that I will - if things go smoothly in pregnancy - be going on leave for 9 months(ish) at the end of January. Makes me wonder if the signal on MSTeams cut whilst I was letting them know 😂

OP posts:

FinallyGotAnIPhone · 21/07/2020 19:38

Don’t tell them.
I didn’t even tell my family until 13 weeks so I certainly wouldn’t be telling my employer. You’re under no obligation.

FinallyGotAnIPhone · 21/07/2020 19:39

Sorry just seen you had the interview. Congrats!

Russell19 · 21/07/2020 19:39

Congratulations OP!

@FinallyGotAnIPhone RTFT

heroineinahalfshell · 21/07/2020 19:47

Congratulations OP! I didn't get the role I went for, but I got great feedback and was appointable so I'm taking that as a win. And now I can relax and enjoy mat leave without worrying about coming back to a new role.

Oatmilk1 · 21/07/2020 20:03

Great news! Congratulations!!

MichelleOR84 · 21/07/2020 20:19

That’s great news!! Congrats!!!

MumMrs85 · 21/07/2020 20:30

@Thegirlhasnoname huge congratulations! That's great news, I'm still waiting for my results so can only hope it goes the same way as yours.

Onekidnoclue · 21/07/2020 21:25

Wonderful! Well done 🥳🥳🥳

MumMrs85 · 22/07/2020 17:02

I just got offered the job! Am thrilled and so glad I was honest as I'd be dreading telling them now. Am going this is a nice change in pregnant women being judged on their merit rather than being seen as a hindrance.

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