Applying for internal role while pregnant

[SickAndTiredAgain]

I’m 27 weeks pregnant and recently applied for an internal role at the company where I’ve worked for a couple of years. I heard back from the senior manager in that department and was invited to an informal chat this week with one of the managers to discuss the role further. It’s based in the same office as where I am now, but it’s a large office and they’re on a different floor, plus it’s a team that my current team have no reason to deal with, so they don’t know I’m pregnant. I know some people would say don’t apply for a new role while pregnant but what I’ve applied for is in an area that would be a massive opportunity for me and definitely what I want to do so didn’t want to just ignore it.

I have this informal chat, face to face, this week. Obviously I am quite visibly pregnant, and realistically if I got the job, I probably wouldn’t be starting until post mat leave (next Feb). I’m aware of the law, but equally I’m not naive and so I’m aware they may write me off as soon as they spot the bump.

My main question is, how would you address this in the meeting? Ignore it, & just leave it as the elephant in the room? Or bring it up? Ignoring it seems odd, but mentioning it seems a bit awkward too.

This is a difficult one, as a manager I would find it helpful if you raised it so we could then have a discussion about your plans e.g. are you planning to take 12 months leave, return to work on current hours or go part time, etc. This would enable me to think about maternity cover, your training etc. The reason for wanting you to mention it would be because if I raised it this it could give you grounds to make a claim for discrimination if you don’t get the job. To me your pregnancy is not a relevant factor in the selection process it’s a pragmatic one as how to manage your absence.

However, I know a lot of mangers/organisations would use this as a reason to rule you out. They will do that irrespective of whether you raise it, as they usually know not to ask.

On the basis that you are obviously pregnant I would raise it, the manager will be relieved and it starts the potential working relationship off on the right foot.

As to how you raise it I would just say I know there is the elephant in the room, as you can see I’m pregnant. My current plans are to start my mat leave x and return y. I am currently planning to return full time/ will be making a request for flexible working.

Note I work for an organisation that promotes pregnant women and women on maternity leave.

The reason for wanting you to mention it would be because if I raised it this it could give you grounds to make a claim for discrimination if you don’t get the job.

That’s what I was thinking, and that they may not want to discuss it at all because they may feel like they’ll want to be able to say that the pregnancy was never discussed.

I’m only taking 9 months leave (the paid period) and am planning on coming back full time - I already work full time with a toddler and don’t see that changing.

As to how you raise it I would just say I know there is the elephant in the room, as you can see I’m pregnant. My current plans are to start my mat leave x and return y. I am currently planning to return full time/ will be making a request for flexible working.

Thanks, I think that’s how I’ll do it. My company is very vocal about being supportive of working parents, pregnant women etc, and they are certainly very flexible, but obviously until you are in a situation you don’t know how much of that is just talk, and you can never tell how individual managers will react as well.

I would raise it yourself in the interview. Sounds like they will know you are pregnant either way, so if they are going to discriminate against you then keeping quiet about it isn't really going to stop them. At least by raising it you have an opportunity to talk through the practicalities together.