Pregnant, and cant get a job?

Question

I recently got finished school and obtained my degree to be an RDA ( Registered Dental Assistant ) Now that I'm finished with school, and trying to find a job, I find out that I am Pregnant. I was wondering if anyone has been in this situation and how they addressed it at an interview? I feel it is misleading to not inform an employer, but I am also in desprite need of putting my hard earned education to good use. Do I neglect to mention it at an intervew and pretend I might have found out after I was hired?? I'm afraid people will think of my being pregnant as a condition that will interfere with my ability to preform a job the same as Id be able to if I werent having a baby. Also, if I am hired, and do inform an employer of my pregnancy, how do I address maternity leave? What is an acceptable amount of time to take a LOA from work? Thank you so much for any advice.....

Answer 1

No need to mention it unless it's obvious. Legally you don't have to tell your employer until 2 weeks before you require medical leave. Most people do mention it well before this.

There are still some employers out there who may think that being pregnant can interfere with your job performance but these days I think many more know that women do have a proven track record of doing their work the same while pregnant and that they are committed and want to come back after their leave is over.

My advice to you is to wait until any probationary period has passed, and then discuss it with your employer. By then you should have already demonstrated your skills and abilities and legally would not be able to be terminated without cause. If it comes up you could say that you were not aware at the time of your hiring. If you are even asked. By the way, most state laws also require that you work through any probationary period before you can even be eligble for medical leave.

As far as time to request for leave, it depends on your company size and what state you live in. In Massachusetts, the state mandate is 8 weeks leave. The Federal US mandate is 12 weeks but only applies to companies of 50 or more employees. If your company is smaller than 50, you are subject to the state law on this. Usually employers let you take any unused accured vacation towards this time as well. If you don't live in a state with state disability insurance and your company doesn't offer short term disability as part of their benefits package, you will be without income for this entire period, unless you have a generous and unusual employer that is willing to pay you while you are out. Maternity leave in American generally means you have the right to your job back after x number of weeks- and not much more. You might want to look into the short term disability while still interviewing, and whether the company has a probationary period, also after what time you will be eligible for health insurance- you will need it!

Answer 2

Tell them a few weeks after you are hired. Your pregnancy should not interfere with your ability to your job. It's not like you're a construction worker or anything!! The only way you may not be able to "do your job" is if there are complications and you doctor puts you on bed rest. Most people take off six weeks after they give birth, or that is all that some companies allow for maternity leave. If you have a lenient boss, you may be able to take off longer. Everyone has different opinions in how long to stay home with the baby, so that is up to you. When I had my son, I stayed home until he was two and then went back to work. It wasn't to the same job, but I didn't work much before, anyways. My boyfriend always supported us. Good luck!!

Answer 3

They can't ask you if you are pregnant, it's concidered discrimination. You have every right to not tell them that you are pregnant either, just as much right as to not tell them your sexual orientation or religion. Maternity leave isn't something that needs to be addressed until 2 months before you plan to take it, written notice should be given 2 weeks before you leave. You don't have to tell your employer you are pregnant before this 2 month period, unless you want to. If you want to, I'd suggest waiting until you start to show. Every pregnancy is different, you may be forced on bed rest early you could miscarry (knock on wood you don't) anything can happen from now over the next 9 months. When i graduated college i found myself in the exact same position. I couldn't find a job for 3 months though and finally got a job! I didn't tell them i was pregnant until I was there for a month because i started to show. I was sooooo scared i'd lose my job. My employer's wife turned out to be a big ***** too and held the fact i was pregnant over my head every day I was there but I stuck it out until I got my time in with them and could take my mat leave then just found something else after my year off. You do what you need to do for you and your baby and don't let being pregnant hold you back. Being a RDA changes things a bit though because of the xRay issues... but again, you don't have to tell them anything if you don't want to.

Answer 4

If you want to get a job right now-do not mention your pregnancy. I understand you don't want to be misleading but things are the way they are. People don't give pregnant women a chance to prove themselves often enough. If I were you I'd get a job before it is obvious that you are pregnant. Tell your employer after first month. They have to give you 6 weeks after birth or until the DR releases you to go back to work. I wouldn't bring up maternity leave until you are about 6 months along. Good Luck

Answer 5

Normally I would say not to bring it up...I'd act like i found out after being hired. However being pregnant will effect your ability to do your job won't it. like with x-rays and stuff. Its been awhile since I've been to the dentist and can't remember if they are in the room with you when they x-ray or not. I worked up until the day before I went into labor. But I had a desk job, and wasn't bent over all day. My OB offered to write a note 2 weeks before my due date though. I think it would depend on how comfortable you are while performing your job. Then he gave me 8 weeks after I had my son, and that was w/a c-section. If you are hired weather they know about your pregnancy or not I would wait until your late 20s early 30s weeks to discuss it. You don't want to come into a job discussing a lengthy LOA. Good luck.

Answer 6

I think it is commendable that you would be honest to your future employer. What better sign of an honest employee could you get? I would not mention it in your first interview, but if they appear to be serious or ask you back for a second interview then I would say you should mention it. As the person who hires in my company I would advise you to do a little research. Companies with less than 45 employees are not required to offer FMLA. They will be required to offer short term disability that is unpaid and can provide as much as 60-90 days of leave without you losing your position.

Answer 7

I agree that's really shouldn't be any of their business whether you are pregnant or not but I think it would be wise to tell them. With most companies to qualify for the required leave you have to be at the job for a year before they are required to give you job back after leave. I think if you accept the job and not tell them you would be burning some bridges and not get your spot back. Besides mentioning it you might be able to get into talking about whether you would have medical insurance for the birth and what not. I would say tell them, it might mean looking for a job longer but they'll appreciate the honesty.

Answer 8

I wouldn't mention it at the interview unless it is obvious that you are pregnant. No...they aren't supposed to discriminate against you b/c you are pregnant, but they will and they will get away with as they can use any excuse they want for not hiring you (not qualified, etc..) I would just tell them after being hired, then you have a leg to stand on if discriminated against!! Good luck

Answer 9

don't bring it up in an interview. in the US it is illegal for them to ask about pregnancy, plans to conceive, marital status and children.
I would wait until you were very obviously pregnant if possible. wait till you get a good rfeview, that way if they fire you you have a better chance of fighting it on grounds of discrimination.
i didn't take long off after my kids except the last one(one of the babies had serious health issues) but the one before that i went back after a couple weeks on the condition that she could go with me. i think 4-8 weeks is an acceptable amount of time to take off though

Answer 10

There is a law they cannot base a hiring decision on weither or not you are pregnant. That being said - a lot of times they will anyaway becasue it means you are going to be msising work for maternity leave etc... --- so here is what i'd do YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW TO TELL THEM DURING THE INTERVIEW SO DONT SHOOT YOURSELF IN YOUR OWN FOOT!