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I could use some advice...

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Anonymous

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I could use some advice...

I started my job 10 months ago, I work for a non-profit that is government funded. I was hired on their first dedicated recruiter on their HR team, and it's be awful so far. The team is dysfunctional at the least and allows for unethical, at times even illegal hiring practices. Every time I speak up on these issues I'm shot down by leaders in various ways.

Now my gut tells me I need to leave and get as far away as possible. But I'm also 3 months pregnant and looking for a new job right now scares me. Not because I don't feel like I'm qualified but the moment that they learn that I'm pregnant, I'm scared that will limit my opportunities.

I keep going back and forth with staying and just "riding it out" but it's not like this company has great parental leave and I'm worried about the stress of the job affecting my pregnancy. I'm also not the kind to just clock in and collect a pay check.

Any advice or examples of successfully switching jobs while pregnant?

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  1. IntentionGirl630054

    I don't believe you have to tell anyone, including employers, about being pregnant until the point at which it might be useful -- like a month before you need to take your leave for the birth -- giving plenty of time for training a temporary replacement. You DEFINITELY do not have to disclose it during the interview process. If you are the type to look simply heavier as your pregnancy advances, you may not need to disclose it to anyone until you are 6 months along! Usually around 6 months is when that 'beach ball' pop occurs. I think your best bet, especially since you are still on the 'recent' job search -- is to get out there and replace this job with a 'real' one -- you do not want to be involved in illegal practices - and until you move on, document everything!!

  2. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  3. maria rose

    Based on your response here, you are assuming that this individual who is already 3 months pregnant is going to find and get a job immediately to have that cushion of time on the new job to be able to wait to disclose the pregnancy and we have no idea how this person has been handling the physical changes of being pregnant and working. All good in theory but not very practical considering her pregnancy condition at the present time.

  4. Anonymous

    Have you googled this topic? There are several coaches who can assist you. Try searching LinkedIn for them there as well. I'm not recommending any particular one, but know there are several.

  5. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  6. Anonymous

    I think you do what's best for your family. The job market is rough right now but if you have a nice safety net, don't require your benefits through this employer and feel strongly about it, then by all means, give your notice asap. If not, figure out a way to get disability or move to part-time if possible.

  7. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  8. Anonymous

    Stay. Take the parental leave. Take extra leave. Take all your vacation time. Take all the PT time you can/ go to part time if they let you- then -quit!

  9. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  10. Anonymous

    Maybe a remote working position that allows you more of a buffer would be more suitable. There are various networks you can research that specifically share remote job postings.

  11. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  12. Anonymous

    Many people switch jobs when pregnant, that stigma is very archaic. You need to know what your limits are and what benefits you will miss out on. Do what is best for you and yours.

  13. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  14. Anonymous

    you had me at unethical. Get the heck out of there as soon as you can. You do not want to get caught up in anything shady. If you need to wait until after maternity leave, that is perfectly understandable.

  15. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  16. Anonymous

    I concur. Unethical/illegal stuff, if exposed externally, will stick to you even if you were just a by stander. Get out now.

  17. maria rose

    Since you are going to be leaving work anyway—at least for a maternity leave in about 6 months—can you hold off quitting while looking for a position that may hire you for after that time period. You don’t know yet how soon, and how energetic you will feel after having your baby about coming back to work. There’s nothing wrong in networking and testing out alternatives but realistically you would need an immediate hire and start in a new job to have any accommodations for that maternity leave. It would be very unfair to be hired in and immediately need a maternity leave and jobs that are that accommodating are rare to find.

  18. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  19. Anonymous

    Take time off to have your baby and let your husband help you. That is too much stress and this is a time to enjoy.

  20. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  21. Anonymous

    Financially she may not have a choice but to continue to work. Please do not assume that her husband is making enough to support two and soon to be three individuals. The cost of living and housing is very high in many cities and it often takes two incomes.

  22. Anonymous

    I cannot give you any examples but if you think they are doing illegal things and the government is funding them speak up and file a formal complaint with the EEOC. Also as a whistleblower you should have protections for this. Let them know you are pregnant and check the laws in your area for the duration of parental leave. I don't imagine they want a lawsuit for terminating you during your pregnancy, and providing a doctors note to the HR team should help as well. If it were me and the things they want you to do are benign, I would stick it out until post baby and just lay low. It's a tough market now for recruiters.

  23. Anonymous

    Thank you!

  24. Anonymous

    If you were the right candidate I wouldn't "not hire you" just because you are pregnant. We've hired others that were much further along than 3 months. The bigger issue might be the company policy around pregnancy leave at a new company - how much time off you get - and whether that would be a problem for you. I know some companies require a year of service. It definitely wouldn't stop me from hiring someone who is pregnant and frankly you most likely wouldn't like working for a company that would discriminate like that.

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