Disclosing that you pregnant

[mel1553]

I'm applying for a new job that is much closer with better much better hrs and I won't be on my feet for 10hrs at a time. It's in the banking field...great for moms. I'm just wondering if I have to legally disclose that I'm pregnant or if I can just tell them later when I really start to show? I don't want it to stop me from getting the job. I know by law an employer can't fire you for being pregnant and also by law have to give you 6wks maternity leave in the state of Illinois atleast but I wasn't sure if I have to disclose this when applying.

[confused5277]

someone was hired on my company that is five months pregnant. She did not say anything and her medical didnt say. It is against the law to fire someone who is pregnant. but, my company we work with children and there is a lot of physical things that goes with the job. She told everyone except the people who hired her. She has missed two days already of work. Could she be fired

[loopblair]

I actually went on a job interview at 16 weeks (I'm 22 weeks now).  I decided not to disclose that I was pregnant until they offered me the job.  I figured the interview process was a chance for me to discuss my qualifications and skills--not a time to tell them I need 6 weeks off in August.  

[Atlantisea]

That is awful!

I lost one very recently, and I can't even imagine what it feels like to loose two babies.

If you need someone to talk to feel free to message me. And don't feel as if you need to leave the forum. You are welcome here any time.

*big hugs*

Atlantisea.

[babyhope1]

I am out of the forum, if anyone even cares, I had twins and both died.  Now I am taking pills to abort the placentas.  Almost second trimester, I decided to speed it up with the misoprostol and vicadin.  I wish you all the best of luck and hope you hold a baby in your arms next February.

[mel1553]

Thanks, I did find out that you can't be fired because you are pregnant and that a company has to legally guarantee your job back after the 6wk leave.

[babyhope1]

I work in HR and we hired a pregnant woman recentle.  The peer of the hiring manager approached me and asked why did we hire her?  They indicated she would be leaving soon anyway and it was a waste of training, she may not come back etc.  It is discrimination, when I said that to this manager (she was a woman!) she was honest with me in saying they would have found another legal reason not to hire her.  Phew, I can't believe there are acutally scum bags out there.  Also, I am in California which is fairly liberal with their laws, however my company has less than 50 employees so I don't get maternity paid.  I get it but not paid, I have to use all my sick time.  Also when I worked at a larger Fortune 500 company, maternity leave was paid upon returning to work for 6 weeks after the 6 weeks off (short term disability plus 6 additional weeks FMLA).  Read your company policy!  I would not disclose it until you are showing, just so you aren't discriminated against.  It isn't their business and this way you are sure it doesn't affect their decision.  If/when they find out, assure them you are staying on board and willing to train the temp, and you need the job even moreso because of your income needs, now you have that much more motivation to do a good job for them.

[mel1553]

Maybe somethin bettr will come along for me. You've all been very helpful for my decision in the next job that comes available. I am goin to just tell them at the end of my interview..that's a good idea! I probably won't be able to hide it by the timethe next job comes anyway!

[mel1553]

Thanks so much for your info...not sure I'm going to can even afford to take the job. I found out it would be quite a pay cut. It would be a great job for me physically especially while pregnant with great hrs but my hubby is about to get laid off again in a couple of weeks. We won't know when he'll be working again and his unemployment doesn't cut it. He's in the plumber/pipefitters union...and this last year is the first year its been like this since many years ago cause the drop in the economy. If he's layed off more than 6mths then I won't have insurance either. I pray our economy starts getting better soon for not just us, but for many families!

[KM604]

That's a tough one.  It would be one thing to wait until you are out of your first trimester, but you are pretty much there.  I would probably disclose it towards the end - that way they've already seen your qualities and probably have a decision in their head.  Just let them know you are being honest since you are just out of the first trimester and you don't want to hide it from them.  Or, you could wait a month or until you begin to show and just let them know you wanted to wait until your last appointment to make sure everything was ok.  I'm sorry I probably wasn't much help but you could really go either way with this.  I don't think there is a law saying you have to legally disclose it - that is discrimination.

[mel1553]

I'm about 11wks PG

[sadiesmommy]

Well, it is truly up to you whether or not you want to disclose that information at this time. Believe it or not it may actually help you to be upfront about it especially if you definately plan on returning to work afterwards. A friend of mine went to an interview practically six and a half months pregnant - was totally honest with them (not that she could hide her pregnancy at that point) and was hired almost on the spot.

[princessartois]

How far along are you?