When to tell potential employer about pregnancy?

[ilovefh]

If you've followed all of my crazy threads we've decided to head back to Florida. I'm applying for teaching positions and hopefully I'll get one, but if not we'll be fine with just DH's income.

Anyway, I applied to a few jobs in the area. Their application system is online so all schools, even ones you didn't apply to, can see your application. One of the schools I did not apply to, but wouldn't mind working at, contacted me so I have an interview with them.

My question is do you tell the employer during your interview or after they make an offer about being pregnant? The school year starts in the end of August and I'm due November 16. Because of the way breaks line up, If I have a c-section I'd need a sub for 5 weeks. If not I would need a sub for 4 weeks.

I know they can't discriminate based on pregnancy, but it is easy enough to say someone else is better qualified. And with the current test score focused education system I wouldn't blame them for wanting someone who did not plan to be out for 4-5 weeks.

 

[low-key]

Tell them in Sept

 

[aaarcher86]

I told my employer when they made the offer. But, I had just found out so it was my first opportunity.

I'd be nervous I'd miss the opportunity if I told them at the interview. I'm due 11/14 and wouldn't be able to hide it during an interview though.

 

[morgan98]

By the time you interview will you be showing?

Anyway, I have posted on several of your threads saying that IMO it sounded like you belong in Florida. I am happy to hear that is where you are going. I am sure it is with mixed emotions that you are leaving your family, but I wish you the best of luck.

 

[NewRVLady]

I can't imagine putting baby in daycare at 4 weeks- or do you have something else lined up?

 

[hereyago]

OP, I recall your threads. Glad you are getting away from.that drama.

I would tell them after I had the job I think.

 

[ronandannette]

Maternity leave here in Canada is 12 months. Bluntly put, as a hiring manager I would simply not even consider a pregnant candidate. There would just be no way and you're right when you say that there are a million and one reasons to find someone else to be a better candidate. Good luck with your move and your job hunt.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I would tell them after getting the offer.

This post was timely for me--I'm 14 weeks and just told my employer today. They aren't really impacted very much by me going on maternity leave though, since I do contract based work and my contract ends a month before I'm due, so the timing is pretty good.

Can I ask why you would only take four weeks off for maternity leave? I think six weeks is on the short side...I've never heard of four unless it was something like a single mother who literally had to go back to work to keep the heat on and pay for food. Is four weeks the standard maternity leave offered by your employer.

As a mother, I find it hard to think you would be even close to ready to go back to full time work at 4 weeks. At four weeks, I was just finally healing up, breastfeeding was still a challenge and my boobs hurt, and my baby was still sleeping like crap, which meant I was sleeping like crap. Maybe it's just me, and pretty much every other new mom I've talked to, but no one tells you when your pregnant that the first 8 weeks (and maybe 12) are really, really tough.

Congrats on your pregnancy!!!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Oh...I read your post thinking you were a first time mom. Sorry--my mistake. Did you feel ready to return back to work full time when your son was four weeks old?

 

[morgan98]

Oh...I read your post thinking you were a first time mom. Sorry--my mistake. Did you feel ready to return back to work full time when your son was four weeks old?

Since she is a teacher and she mentions the way the breaks line up, I would assume she would take 8 weeks for a C Section, but only need a sub for because of Christmas break. For a v birth, six weeks. Still a short maternity leave but longer than four weeks.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Congrats on the move and the interview. I would tell them at the interview.

 

[ilovefh]

I told my employer when they made the offer. But, I had just found out so it was my first opportunity.

I'd be nervous I'd miss the opportunity if I told them at the interview. I'm due 11/14 and wouldn't be able to hide it during an interview though.

By the time you interview will you be showing?

Anyway, I have posted on several of your threads saying that IMO it sounded like you belong in Florida. I am happy to hear that is where you are going. I am sure it is with mixed emotions that you are leaving your family, but I wish you the best of luck.

Thankfully, I won't show until close to my third trimester. Well, at least that's how it was with DS and right now I'm 18 weeks and still in all regular clothes, and since I've lost weight I'm even in smaller clothes.

I can't imagine putting baby in daycare at 4 weeks- or do you have something else lined up?

No way! I would be due November 16 so I would need a sub for one week before Thanksgiving break, then 3 weeks after Thanksgiving until Christmas break. If I have a c-section I'd also need the week after Christmas breaks. Between when I am due and when I would come back there are 3 weeks of vacation.

ETA: 6 weeks sounds way short to me and if I were able to get back to my old school I would take the full 12 that they allow, but this being a new school, I'd limit my absence. I got lucky with DS that he was born in May. By the time my leave was up it was summer and he didn't have to start daycare until 14 weeks.

 

[bcla]

Maternity leave here in Canada is 12 months. Bluntly put, as a hiring manager I would simply not even consider a pregnant candidate. There would just be no way and you're right when you say that there are a million and one reasons to find someone else to be a better candidate. Good luck with your move and your job hunt.

That would be illegal in the United States under various civil rights laws.

Also illegal in Canada under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

 

[NewRVLady]

Although Illegal, if a school had 2 to choose from, and one was giving birth mid school year, And both had equal qualifications, I bet the other would be chosen

 

[Buzz-Light-Beer]

First Congrats on the interview. I would just go into the interview and do your best without mentioning you are pregnant. Are you showing at all BTW? If you are they maybe forward enough to even ask you if you are pregnant. If they don't don't mention it, but if they do I would tell them yes and when you are due. I hope it works out for you and if you are the best candidate for the job they will offer it to you even knowing you will be out a maximum of 5 weeks in November.

 

[ilovefh]

Although Illegal, if a school had 2 to choose from, and one was giving birth mid school year, And both had equal qualifications, I bet the other would be chosen

I agree! If I were the person doing the hiring and I had two equal candidates I would definitely go with the person who does not have any plans to be out. With the huge push for test scores why would I choose someone who may not be able to produce? (Especially in this area in Florida when teachers tend to be as transient as the students!)

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Congrats on the pregnancy AND the interview!
I would be honest. As an employer, I would think you are being sneaky or deceitful if this very important piece of information were not brought up in the interview.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Maternity leave here in Canada is 12 months. Bluntly put, as a hiring manager I would simply not even consider a pregnant candidate. There would just be no way and you're right when you say that there are a million and one reasons to find someone else to be a better candidate. Good luck with your move and your job hunt.

Which is why I agree not to tell them until after the job offer is made. Not during the interview.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Although Illegal, if a school had 2 to choose from, and one was giving birth mid school year, And both had equal qualifications, I bet the other would be chosen

Which is why it isn't typically suggested to mention it in the interview. Don't give them a reason to find a legal excuse to not hire you.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Personally, I would be honest. Deception...not the best way to start a new job.

Good luck with the job hunting and congratulations on the new baby.