How do I tell a prospectve employer I'm pregnant?

Question

I'm in a bit of a situation. I have just left my current employer to seek new employement. I was in sales, but needed more stability and growth potiential so I decided to go back into accounting were my college degree is in. I know it's already going to be challenging entering this field once again, but I just found out today I am about 2 and a half weeks pregnant. Health insurance is not an issue since I can be put on my husbands, but how do I tell a prospective employer I'm pregnant? What's the best way to address this? I obviously need to be working and need the income but will be out after the baby is born. I plan on returning to work, but how is that going to affect a prospect employers decision to hire me, or should I not say anything until I am hired and say I just found out then? I prefer to be upfront and honest, but really need a good stable job.

Any Advice?

Thanks so much, and God Bless!

Answer 1

It's none of their business that you're pregnant, especially if it doesn't affect your job performance. A desk job doing accounting would hardly get in the way of you being pregnant. It's not like you're wanting to be a construction worker. You are so early anyway, that some women don't even find out yet that they're pregnant. If you get the job, then a few weeks into it, you can make the announcement if you want.

By the way, no one finds out at 2 weeks pregnant that they're pregnant. By the time your period is late, you're already 4 weeks pregnant and it just goes up from there. You're probably around 4-5 weeks. Some women prefer to wait until there's a heartbeat detected (around 6 weeks) to make the announcement, and some even wait until the first trimester is over. So really, there's no reason to speak up now.

Just make sure you can get on hubby's insurance right away. With HMO's you usually have to wait until open enrollment, which is once a year. With a PPO it can be anytime.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 2

I had the same problem, I was about 5 weeks prego and looking for work. I looked into all the laws of the state and gov. And by law a woman does NOT have to disclose to an employer that she is pregnant, this is to prevent discrimination. Though I truly believe a woman should tell an employer, from experience I know that discrimination does happen when you inform a new or potential employer that you are pregnant. It is a tuff situation, trust me I know, Good Luck!!

Answer 3

You're early enough to where you can tell them you didn't know when you were hired. Especially at a new job, most people don't tell until they're 12-14 weeks along, past the "safe" zone of a miscarriage. Nothing like telling them prematurely and then having to break bad news. This way you've established yourself as a solid worker for them and they may not be as upset. I was 7 weeks pregnant when I got hired at a job and had only found out the day before (i always had irregular periods at that time). They took it well, even when I had to go on bedrest at 28 weeks.

Answer 4

2 and a half weeks? I think youre probably 4 and a half weeks...........regardless! If i were you i wouldnt say a word. They don't need to know, especially since you are SO early in your pregnancy. And although it's against the law to discriminate against a woman for a job because she is pregnant soooo many places do...claiming you just weren't "right" for the job for some other reason. So, don't say anything, and good luck with job hunting. Not to mention, a lot of women chose not to say a word until at least 12 weeks to anyone other than their partner because the risk of miscarriage goes down so significantly. So, if you do get the job, 8 or 10 weeks down the road you can always say "well, i didn't want to say anything until I knew baby was safe!" congrats on your pregnancy and good luck with the job search!

Answer 5

I don't know how it is in America, but in Germany you are allowed and have the right to lie if your prospective employer asks you if you are pregnant. Don't tell him about it. If you are planning on working there long-term, then wait until you get to know your new employer a little better. Make him appreciate your work and then tell him. You are not lying if you tell him in a few weeks.

Good Bless you too and your baby :-)

Answer 6

By law, youre pregnancy CANNOT play into their decision to hire you. That would be considered discrimination.

That said, it doesn't mean it works that way. Don't feel guilty about not telling them in the interview. Most people wait until the end of the first trimester to tell boss, friends, etc, since its still "risky".

Make sure that your husband can add you to his insurance-- since many require it to be an "open enrollment" time.... and that often only happens once a year.

Answer 7

I wouldn't say anything just yet.So many things can happen in the first trimester.I'd wait until you were at least 12-16 weeks.You are also required to get a form from your doctor called a confirmation of pregnancy to give to your employer.They can't fire you for being pregnant,but if you tell them too soon,it can keep you from getting the job.You're not required to say anything,until you're much further along.

Answer 8

Most companies prefer that you not tell them until after you are hired. If you tell them, and they don't hire you then you can sue them for discrimination and they end up having to defend themselves whether it is the truth or not.

So they don't want to know because they don't want to be second guessed, and they don't want to be in the process of deciding who to hire and wondering if they are letting your pregnancy effect their judgment.

So if you want to tell them once they offer the job, but before you accept that's your choice, and if you want to wait until you are more than three months pregnant that's your choice. But is best not to mention it during the interview process it puts your employer in an awkward position.

Answer 9

During the interview they typically ask if you have any questions or if there is anything else, mention that you have just found out you are pregnant, not too far along so you will be able to be a wonderful asset for at least 8 months and are determined to come back to work within a set time.

Answer 10

honestly, I wouldn't say anything. Unless you get really sick, your employeer doesn't need to know until you are atleast 12 weeks, more if you don't feel comfortable telling everyone. You are so early in the pregnancy that it would be very likely that you wouldn't know you were pregnant until after he hires you anyway.