Job searching when pregnant

10 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 5,2022 at 9:48PM UTC

   This is a great question, although complicated! Employers are not allowed to discriminate against you for your pregnancy, but there's no doubt there may be implicit bias in the hiring process if you do reveal the information. There's some comments on this thread that might be helpful: https://fairygodboss.com/community-discussion/SJEZPsZa4/job-hunt-during-pregnancy

   And here's an article with some more expert advice! https://fairygodboss.com/articles/applying-for-jobs-while-pregnant

2. AnonymousJanuary 6,2022 at 1:58PM UTC

   I searched for a job while I was pregnant but it was internal to the organization I was already working in so it's a little different.
   I didn't disclose my pregnancy until after the offer was made.
   I also don't think it ever hurts to interview - you never know what will happen! However, if it's a new company you're looking to interview at, please check on the health and leave benefits before accepting a new role. Sometimes you have to work at an organization for x amount of time before you qualify for these benefits so it may help to stay in your current company until after you have the baby. Also, if it's your first child, I would also consider that it's a lot of change and to add a new job will be stressful (not impossible but just be aware of making these big changes at once).

3. AnonymousJanuary 6,2022 at 2:10PM UTC

   Congratulations ! Something to consider is how your current company /position will support you when you return to work. I was in a similar situation and really wanted to leave my job. However, I was at the company a while and that make transitioning back to work easier. I had already proved myself and there was no pressure to perform. So I could focus on being a First time working mom. But while I was pregnant with my 2nd, I decided to do the job search while I was on maternity leave. I used my network to find a position that made sense for where I am professionally and personally. I left my previous employer while still on maternity leave. I found that my network was super understanding that I was pregnant and happy to help me find something else. I’m happy with all my decision. I also had a friend who started a new position at 9mo pregnant, and it didn’t phase her company at all she’d take maternity leave. Don’t let being pregnant hold you back from find a new job, you never know what can happen!

4. AnonymousJanuary 6,2022 at 2:15PM UTC

   The hiring manager is going to have concerns because they want someone there to do the job. They cannot discriminate based on pregnancy but I would not tell them I was pregnant.

   But from your perspective, if you want to do a full-on job search now, for the new job, keep in mind the benefits and waiting periods. FMLA, leave of absences, short term disability. There is usually a grace period before short term kicks in and if you don't have accrued time off, that time will be unpaid, is that ok? What if you find a position that offers an insurance plan and your OB is not listed as a provider, now what?

   I have worked with several people in this situation and they really used their leave to do their job search. They got everything out of their current company that they could, came back to work after taking 3 months paid time off, worked about a week and gave notice.

   Best wishes and congrats!

5. AnonymousJanuary 6,2022 at 2:28PM UTC

   IMHO, I would say wait. This is a very complicated situation. As a manager, I hired a woman who announced to me the first week she was on the job that she was pregnant. I understand why she didn't tell me, but I still felt tricked and betrayed. The very first week, I felt like trust was an issue. There was a fair amount of training involved, and about the time she was 100% productive, she went on maternity leave. It was a small company, so there was a burden to other workers. This created a bit of animosity that honestly never went away until she left the company about a year later. It's a double-edged sword. If you tell, you risk not getting the job. If you don't tell, you risk starting a new job with potential trust issues from your manager and co-workers. Best of luck.

6. AnonymousJanuary 6,2022 at 2:41PM UTC

   Some maternity/leave benefits only kick in if you've been at an employer for a year, and your mileage may vary in terms of what employers will offer for maternity benefits to begin with. It never hurts to look but at this point you probably ask very detailed and specific questions as to what the benefits are and when the kick in for any prospective company you're considering. If this is your first child and you think you current job is something that you feel comfortable in (even if you're not thrilled with current management) there is also something to be said for sticking with the status quo there while you adjust to all the changes that your new baby will bring. (If you've already gone through this process before then this may not be as much of a concern.). Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck with your career decisions.

7. Lisa GibsonJanuary 6,2022 at 2:53PM UTC

   Congratulations! I changed jobs at the end of my maternity leave once and my boss (who was also a friend at the time) was upset about it. However, it was a good move for me and I have no regrets. It's true that employers cannot legally discriminate against you as a pregnant woman, and the other responses here have a lot of good info for you to consider, but I would say don't let it stop you and do what you are comfortable doing. If you interview and disclose your pregnancy, you are still making new connections that may result in a job change and/or a future job opportunity. Don't get stuck in your head on the details - give yourself permission to explore. You don't have to make a decision until you have an offer.

8. AnonymousJanuary 6,2022 at 9:36PM UTC

   Understand your leave options if you look for a new job while pregnant. Go to dol.com and do your research first on FMLA.

9. Delete AccountJanuary 6,2022 at 11:54PM UTC

   Too many women take themselves out the running for being pregnant. Why? Good companies don't care if their top candidates will be out a period time for FMLA any more than would for someone who needs a knee replacement. If you have supportive partner and are confident you have the skills and desire, go for it. Having a family and having a rewarding career is not an either or decision for a man. Glass ceiling and gender stereo types won't break unless people rethink their self limiting attitudes. Worse case scenario is you don't get the job but you will have signaled loud and clear you think you have the right do have both a family and a career.

10. LyndsyJanuary 8,2022 at 3:23AM UTC

    Although FMLA benefits don't kick in for a year after you've been working for your employer, you can take leave within a year of your child being born (or adopted). I was hired at 2 months pregnant, began my position at 5 months pregnant, took CA disability leave for maternity (6 weeks) after the birth, then took FMLA (12 weeks) when my child was 7 months old, after I had been with the company for a year.