Looking for a new Job while Pregnant?

Question

I am looking for a new job and I am 5 1/2 month pregnant. I was wondering when should I tell my employer about my pregnancy and how do you think that will effect my search?

Answer 1

They can't legally discriminate against you or being pregnant, but it's certainly likely that they won't want to hire you. By the time you're trained, you'll be on maternity leave, not to mention all the time you'll need off for doctors appointments until then.

It's not something you necessarily have to disclose before hired, but you won't be able to keep it quiet for long. Even if you can disguise your tummy for interviews, you will become visibly pregnant very shortly. Even if you weren't, you'd again need time off for dr's appointments, something they won't like for a new hire. You could easily get let go during your probation period for attendance.

If possible, try holding off on job switching until after the baby. If you absolutely need to switch, consider temping. I doubt your pregnancy would be an issue for a worker that is only there temporarily.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Legally (in the US), they can't NOT hire you because you're pregnant but they can come up with a bunch of other reasons anyways. They can't ask you if you're pregnant but I know they ask if you have any upcoming time off that you plan to take.

To be honest, if you're 5 1/2 months, can't they already tell?

PS The US passed a law so pregnancy is not a "pre-existing condtion" so insurance won't matter.

Answer 3

It is illegal for your employer to ask about your being pregnant, or to base his decision for hiring you on that fact. It should make no difference, and you are under no obligation to bring it up. In fact, it would be better if you didn't. That way the potential employer doesn't know, and therefore won't taken that into consideration.

In short, it should not affect your search AT ALL. If you think it has, get a lawyer.

Answer 4

There are certain jobs that they can discriminate when it comes to pregnancy--despite what people on here are telling you. But, they have to prove bona fide reasons why a pregnant woman could not do the job. One example would be a firefighter, who must be able to lift a certain number of pounds. Another would be a police officer (my sis-in-law had to tell them when she got pregnant for insurance reasons).

Answer 5

I was 4 months when I started my job, and I never told them, and they never asked, I wanted until I was there for 3 months then I told them, as you don't have to tell them anything until 2 weeks before your maturnity leave. The didn't care, they actually wondered why I never said anything sooner. I suggest don't tell them your pregnant till after you get the job and once hired he can't fire you because your pregnant.

Answer 6

If you have a job now that covers labor and delivery and maternity leave, stay where you are at.

If a company hires you, you would only work for 3 1/2 months before you need to be off. You wouldn't be able to lift, etc.

Also, this "new" company may decide NOT to cover you on insurance because it was "a pre-existing condition".

Answer 7

First, ignore that loser (theangel1025)that spends all his time on answers insulting people whom he assumes to be overweight, obviously someone a bit overweight has beat his azz before. To answer your question, your potential employer is not legally allowed to base his/her decision about whether to hire you or not on your pregnancy. Go for the job if that's what you want to do.

Answer 8

Im in the same boat, I just moved back to Va from NC and am looking. Most people honestly won't hire you. Don't tell them you are pregnant. They may think you look pregnant and if they even dare to ask you can say I do not see how that is related to the position or just get disgusted and say noo Im not pregnant. Really your not obligated to tell them. Just make sure the job description is safe for you. good luck

Answer 9

You shouldn't mention it before you are hired because if you mention it and you don't get hired then you can sue. So most companies would not like to know until after they hire you.

However, it might be better to go through a temp staffing agency as you are only looking for short term work.

Answer 10

You should be honest with them and tell them when you have the interview. They will eventually notice and then they will wonder what else you are hiding if you wouldn't tell them about something that obvious. They shouldn't be able to discriminate against you because of you being pregnant.