What's the best way to ask recruiters about their maternity leave policy during a job interview?

Anonymous

December 21,2021 at 3:32AM UTC

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What's the best way to ask recruiters about their maternity leave policy during a job interview? I want to avoid them thinking that I'm pregnant (I'm not but it's an important consideration for the future) and I don't want them to worry about discrimination.

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Lorna Rose, J.D., M.S.December 21,2021 at 5:07AM UTC
“What is the company’s maternity leave policy?”
Just ask. No explanation needed.
AnonymousDecember 21,2021 at 6:40AM UTC
I can answer this as a long time recruiter. I wouldn't ask during a job interview but rather when you're informed you're getting an offer, or at the offer stage. Then you simply ask, in the context of other benefits: " can you tell me about your maternity and paternity leave policy?"
No one will think twice about it!
MarissaDecember 22,2021 at 12:36AM UTC
Agreed with one comment below. When they make the offer, let them know you'd like to see their benefits in detail before you accept or sign.
Glassdoor also has a specific benefits review area so you could take a look there to see if someone has mentioned it.
Tricia BurroughsDecember 22,2021 at 1:28PM UTC
As the lead of my company's site women's ERG I will tell you that this is a common interest in job selection for women currently and is discussed in the interview. You should not be unique in asking, nor assumed that you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant soon. Men have also started asking about paternity leave.
AnonymousDecember 22,2021 at 1:47PM UTC
When you ask about benefits in general, whether it's in an HR/Recruiting interview or to the hiring manager, I'd be surprised if they don't mention what the parental leave benefits are since that's an area that's been a high priority for many lately. If they don't mention it, then just ask, "And what are the parental/maternity/paternity leave benefits?" If you ask in the middle of the larger benefits discussion then it is no big deal. People ask this all the time.
AnonymousDecember 22,2021 at 1:57PM UTC
Just look over their benefits for paid time off and maternity/paternity leave; it should be clearly spelled out in the benefits package they offer you (and you should be able to see the benefits package before you accept an offer). Good luck!
AnonymousDecember 23,2021 at 2:20PM UTC
Don't. That's something to ask about after you've received an offer.
Shannon DubosDecember 31,2021 at 6:36PM UTC
I disagree. If it’s make or break, why wouldn’t you? It’s like not asking if there are health benefits or salary. Pregnancy should not be taboo.
Lynda BoothDecember 23,2021 at 3:37PM UTC
I would wait to ask until you are at the offer stage. Then, you ask to see the benefits which they typically send to you with the offer. Review the policy and if it is not clear, ask questions then.
Karen GongawareDecember 23,2021 at 4:47PM UTC
Trust and believe the corp isn't worrying about discrimination. The benefits will list and as someone else said, if it isn't clear, ask, but wait till you have an offer. And how far in the future is this pregnancy? Years? Why worry about it now.
AnonymousDecember 30,2021 at 1:56PM UTC
i disagree with the advice to wait until the offer stage. If ANY company policy doesn’t align with your needs, why would you waste your time or their time waiting until you get an offer to find out? Ask during the interview, that’s the entire point of the interview! Both parties are interviewing each other for fit.
Shannon DubosDecember 31,2021 at 6:47PM UTC
I agree 100%. I have asked this before and have not had any issue in still getting offered roles with the companies I applied for.
Shannon DubosDecember 31,2021 at 6:38PM UTC
Why? Why is pregnancy so taboo? A company needs to lay out salary and benefits, why not parental leave? If it’s make or break for you, don’t be afraid to ask.
Shannon DubosDecember 31,2021 at 6:45PM UTC
It frustrates me that so many are afraid to ask this, not because I’m frustrated with the people asking, but because company culture has clearly been so uncomfortable with parental leave and time off in general. Do not be afraid to ask! Ask politely when you ask about benefits if it is not clearly laid out for you and if they do not mention it. I have asked in two initial interviews and was made offers for both companies. Salary and benefits should be laid out for people and it’s why states like CO have changed the law to make salary range mandatory in job listings now. Benefits are laid out, so parental leave should be too! If it’s a make or break issue for you, why wouldn’t you inquire? I think eventually things will change where parental leave will eventually be more transparent from the start. In the meantime, if you ask this question, and you fear discrimination, you’re probably better off not getting hired by that company!