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when do I tell them? should it come up at all?
I have been contacted about coming in to interview for a full-time graphic design position with a company in the area. I didn't apply for this job, but someone I know recommended me for it--but the company doesn't know I'm pregnant.
I'm definitely interested in the job, but I kinda doubt (even though I know it's not legal) that they want to hire someone who is 6 months pregnant. And it's pretty obvious that I'm pregnant now (no idea what I'll even wear to the interview), so I feel like it's going to be the elephant (lol) in the room if I don't say something.
I don't know...I'm probably over-thinking this and should just go in for the interview and let them decide if they think it's an issue. And also, I guess it's a good litmus test of an employer to see if they care and are willing to take a chance on me.
What do my fellow nesties say?
Re: when do I tell them? should it come up at all?
Stand up for something you believe in.
this.
if they aren't willing to hire you because you're pregnant then you probably don't want to work for them anyway.
That's a tough one. If you were hired, do you have an idea how much time you'd want to take off? Technically they can't bring it up, but if it's obvious you're pregnant, I'm sure they'd be wondering about your leave plans. I'd have an answer ready in case they ask. It would suck if they didn't hire you because of your pregnancy, but if they need to hire someone *right now* and it's obvious you'd be on extended leave in the near future, it's kind of understandable that they'd want to know about that.
FWIW I know someone who was hired in a new job at 7 months pregnant! Good luck at your interview!
I don't have kids, but.... Whenever I interview I go over any upcoming leave plans I had. I was laid off a few lifetimes ago and had a 3-week trip to UK planned. I had an interview almost immediately and that was one of the first things I told them. They were willing to work around it.
As someone who does interviews now, I would be concerned if the interviewee did not address the leave situation. If only to allow me to plan how to work around it. If you are the best candidate I am willing to wait.
Good luck!
yeah, see, this is where I want my cake and I want to eat it, too. I would really like 3 months, but I know that's a total pipe dream and would probably get me an instant "don't let the door hit you in the @ss on the way out".
well, the good news is that I'm really iffy about this company...it's not like it's the dream job I've always wanted.
yep, I kind of don't fault them too much if they don't hire me because of that. I mean who wants to hire someone for 2-3 months and then have a temp position to fill for 6-8 weeks?
thanks for the feedback, everyone!
If you were the absolute perfect person and I had some way to guarantee that you'd come back after leave, I would be ok with negotiating 8-10 weeks. But it would be so hard to have an open position, have someone come in for 8-10 weeks and then be out for the same amount of time. It would essentially be leaving the position open for another 4-6 months.
I think if you're iffy about the company, you'll be iffy about going back to work after 6 weeks, to be honest.
Good luck - this is hard!
I would see how the interview is going and if it looks like both you and the company are very interested in e.o., bring up the fact that you plan to take 12 weeks of maternity leave starting approximately such-and-such date. What's 3 months for a perfect employee who might stay for years?
I would definitely bring it up in some manner. I'm not an HR person but the main issue here is that you would not be entitled to 12 weeks off because you wouldn't be covered by FMLA until you are there at least one year (and depending on whether the company qualifies as an FMLA company).
I'm not 100% sure of about this but I believe that you would only be entitled to 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery or 8 weeks for a c-section because you would be considered to be on "short term disability" during that time.
So, if you want 12 weeks, that would be a negotiation point on your side. If they agree to it, I would want to have that in writing before accepting the job since you aren't entitled to it based on company or federal policies.
I don't think you have to negotiate all of this in the first interview but I would at least acknowledge that you are pregnant and say that you are definitely planning to continue working after the baby is born. Then, if things progress and they offer you the job, I would start to negotiate the terms of your maternity leave and to get it in writing.
Good luck on the interview. Let us know how it goes.
I was thinking this - but not as well put as mrssaint.
I have a few hiring responsibilities and would want to know what your plan is for the future.
my department just hired someone who at her third interview informed us she was 6 weeks pregnant, she had plans to be out for 10 weeks, would definitely be returning and knew she would not be protected by FMLA. She was very upfront about her due date, when she planned to return, her plans for childcare, etc. We were all impressed with her honesty and the thought she put into the plan.
I know you don't have to say anything (and in your case, it might be obvious) but I think people would have been a little peeved if she had told everyone when she arrived. We are a medium size company but the department is small and there are expectations about travel and projects.