About to be offered a job but 3 months pregnant

[dadap]

Advice please

In law is about to be offered a job - working in a care home. It is her first job offer as she has only been in country 8 months. but she is already 3months pregnant. She plans to go back to work when baby is 6 months. My brother told her to tell the company - but she didn't and has just told me today that she is pregnant but.hasn't told company as she knows they won't offer her the job. I thought Should she tell them before they give her written offer and then explain she would like to work and train and go on maternity leave in 4 months but return when baby is 6 months or is that wishful thinking that they will still take her.

Why do you think she should tell them before they issue her written offer?

She doesn't have to tell them and I really really wouldn't. It would be illegal for them to withdraw the job offer on the basis she's pregnant but it does happen and is difficult to prove. Once she's in the job they cannot fire her for being pregnant and they will know this.

Thank you

Can you clarify why you were thinking she should tell them before they sent out her written offer OP?

Hi flowery - yes I thought that they may say that she knew that she would be taking maternity leave a few months after starting - also as it is caring for elderly - she may be lifting and standing for long periods and may not be able to do the job she applied for
And if.m she had been there a few months they would have made adjustments for her but thanks for advice and I have passed on.

I think for me it would be the guilt of knowing I hadn't been honest at interview.

It's really not a question of being honest or not. They are legally not allowed to ask her if she is pregnant at a job interview. And she is under no obligation to volunteer that information so she hasn't been dishonest.

She will, however, have to tell her employer she is pregnant by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due. She can tell them earlier if she's wants through, and it might be a good idea if she needs them to make adjustments to her work and also so she gets paid time off for antenatal appointments.

Still not clear why you thought she should tell them really. Presumably you understand that employers are not allowed to discriminate and withdraw offers because of pregnancy, and presumably agree with that?

Assuming you don't want your (sister?) in law to be discriminated against, then be assured she is doing the right thing. It is unfair to put employers in a difficult position by burdening them in (or shortly) after an interview which is not relevant to their decision and cannot be taken into account. Most employers these days aren't stupid enough to withdraw an offer of employment because of pregnancy, so telling them before they've sent it would not be helpful to anyone.