what rights do i have as a 5 week pregnant woman looking for work?

Answer 1

you have the same rights as everyone else and you do not have to tell your new employer until 15 weeks before the baby is due. however i would wait until i was about 10 weeks so that you can exercise your entitlement to paid time off for antenatal appointments. also it gives your new employer time to talk you through your maternity rights to time off ect... just make sure that you do not take on a job that involves heavy lifting or that you think may make you uncomfortable. if you want to help alleviate morning sickness i found that travel sickness acupuncture bands really helped but they do go around your wrist, so make sure you can cover them up! good luck with the pregnancy and remember they have to find a good reason to fire you that has no connection to your pregnancy.

Answer 2

I think it depends on what your intentions are after the baby is born. Would it be fair to hide your pregnancy, get hired only to leave in 8 months or so? No. But if you are returning to work after the baby is born then you need to think long and hard about whether or not to tell them. I personally would because keeping something like this is a pretty big deal and may make you come across as being dishonest if you don't tell them. And if you lie, remember lies have short legs and eventually it will catch up with you.

But you have to do what feels best for you and then live with it.

Answer 3

Well, from my experience, I wouldn't tell them you were pregnant. Wait until you have insurance and then act like you just found out. Most places, if they are looking for permanent employee, won't want to hire someone that will have to take 6 weeks off in a few months. And you won't be able to get their insurance b/c it will be considered as pre-existing conditions.
You could, though, do temp-work.

Answer 4

It depends on what job you do. If lifting is involved, you need to tell your possible employer ASAP as this could affect the baby's and your health. Being pregnant shouldn't affect you getting a job BUT most small companies would not choose to employ you.

You could always pleed ignorant and wait till you have a job, then 2 weeks after tell them, they won't be able to sack you because you are pregnant!

Answer 5

the same rights as a non pregnant woman. a prospective employer can't ask any woman if they're pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. if you decide to tell them you're pregnant (which you don't have to do) they can't not hire you because of it. however, they can not hire you if they decide you're not qualified for the position or any other random reason.

*edit*
you don't have to tell them before you're hired. you don't even have to tell them right after you've been hired. but I've heard as soon as you start to show, you should tell your manager, especially before you tell anyone else at work.

Answer 6

Tough one really.....

Firstly, you don't have to tell them that you are pregnant a syou are very unlikely to be taken on, but then if you didn't tell them, then one week into the job, they need you to lift a big heavy box, what are you going to say?

You could always look for a temp role, but that would mean that you wouldn't get any maternity pay.

Just be careful....

Answer 7

The same rights as anyone. Don't tell them about the pregnancy until after you are hired. It is early enough that you can lie about when you found out. You have rights but discrimination happens.

Answer 8

You are covered under discrimination laws. I am sure companies could find a way around it by finding other reasons to not hire you. I work for a large corporation and we are told we cannot use that "protected status" as a reason for not hiring or promoting.

Answer 9

You have as many rights as any non pregnant female as long as you can perform the work responsibilities and duties, if they tell u otherwise that would be discrimination.

Answer 10

i wouldn't tell them if i were you,your only 5 weeks anyway,and its bad luck to tell anyone until your 3 months(from experience).plus,if you were a manager and taking on employees,would you pick the one who's pregnant and who's going to have to leave at about 8 months to have the baby,or the one who isn't pregnant??