I am 27 weeks pregnant and have been looking for another position in my field for just about as long as I've been pregnant. The field that I am in is finance and the jobs for what I do are scarce. I submitted my resume last week for a position that I am extremely excited about and know that I would be a great fit for this position. The very next day I was contacted for a telephone interview (even after positing my salary requirements - which is my current salary, which, is frankly quite high for today's market). I have a phone interview late this morning - and I'm wondering at what point in the interview process do I disclose that I am pregnant?
And to those who say "it isn't fair to this company to hire someone that is pregnant" Are you kidding me - I'm not being unfair, it would be their decision to hire me or not. They aren't going to hire/not hire based on a phone interview - they will have plenty of opportunity to know that I am pregnant ahead of time. And, I've gotten two offers since I have been pregnant from affiliates that knew I was pregnant, the drive was just too far.
Also, was "paying" for my maternity leave this fall, and plan to do so regardless of where I am employed. FMLA does not apply at my current company and wouldn't apply to this potential new employer.
I think Pamela is right on....how fair is it to a new company to hire someone that has to leave. They are hiring you because they need you. Stick where you are, it's the same salary that you are asking for and start fresh after the baby arrives. Good luck.
You don't disclose... it's against the law to even ask you. Discrimination against women is harsh - and if you are pregnant... you've got no chance.
***P.S. I think you should stay at your current job until after you return from maternity leave... to start a new job now would be very unfair to the new company - because you never really know if you will be returning until the time is now.
***Added after 4 flowers - @ S. L and S. S***
If you didn't HAVE a job, or were about to be laid off... 100% go get another job!! I understand completely that most women need to work until their due date - I did TWICE. But to suddenly go job hunting because it's too far, need a change of pace, etc - something that CAN be held off for 2-3 months until after the baby is born and you are ready to return to work... COMPLETELY unfair to the company. Most Moms do NOT return after 6 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, nor even after 3 months of short term disability benefits run out.
If you are only having a phone interview DO NOT disclose your pregnancy. You end up putting the company in a very awkward, bad position legally if you do that. Yes, they will be able to tell in a face to face interview and at NO TIME during the interview process can they ask you if you're pregnant nor can they ask you any questions at all about whether you have children or what your daycare situation is like. They can't ask if you're married. It's illegal, and if they ask you they can get in a lot of trouble.
Anyway, don't tell them in a phone interview. If they decide not to proceed with the interview process then you'll know for certain that it has nothing to do with your pregnancy and that they're not discriminating, and it won't be an issue for them legally.
Later on, if they continue with the interviews and they interview you face to face, they're allowed to ask you if there are any health concerns or physical limitations that would prevent you from performing the job tasks as outlined in the interview but they still can't even ask if you're pregnant or acknowledge the pregnancy even if you were 9 months pregnant and in labor. During the interview process, it would be poor form for you to bring up your pregnancy but you can still be reassuring about your ability to perform the job and dedication to it. You can say a lot and address the issues without ever saying it straight out. If they're smart they'll do the same.
I have worked as an HR Manager. Do not mention you are pregnant, either over the phone or in person. JessicaWessica described correctly that an interviewer is only allowed to ask if you have any physical limitations that would need to be acommodated for you to perform this job. You still do not need to mention your pregnancy.
Companies take on the risk that any employee will need to be out of work for all types of reasons besides maternity. They could hire an employee that unexpectedly needs time off for surgery, illness, injury, or any other reason. If you are a qualified candidate, they will consider hiring you.
Good luck in your interview!
S.:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! On the new baby and the Interview!! YOU GO!!!
By law, they are not permitted to ask about your pregnancy....in a telephone interview - I would NOT say anything about it. Stress your skill level and excitement about the job and how you will be a valuable asset to the team...
Once you get an in-person interview, they will see that you are pregnant. Although again they cannot ask about it - you can tell them your plans for maternity leave, etc. and when you plan to return to work...offer to telecommute (if that's an option) and go from there.
Your skills should speak for themselves. Don't worry about the posters who have told you not to join a company prior to going on maternity leave...be like a duck and let it roll off your back.
You don't disclose it during the interview process, especially b/c it is a phone interview. They are not permitted to ask you about it and you do not and should not disclose it. If they offer you the position, you will need to go there to complete forms and other things and you may discuss it then. When you go there for the first time in person, be very pulled together and get plenty of sleep the night before so you don't look tired. Come prepared with a "plan" as to when you will be out and how long you plan to take (6-8 weeks), whether or not you plan to work a little bit from home during that time (a good idea) and assure them that your childcare is arranged.
You got the interview based on your skills. Allow them to hire you based on those skills. Whether HR folks would admit it or not... all things being equal they will hire the person who isn't preggers. In all reality, if there is a candidate that is slightly less qualified, they would hire them (although they would never admit the reason). Keep the pregnancy a "non-factor" until it has to become a factor.
Good luck and you'll be great!
I don't agree at all with Christine and Pamela. If you need to change jobs for any reason that is up to you and the company is not legally allowed to ask you about it during your interview. If you are visibly pregnant and they will obviously know if you are asked for an in-person interview then I would probably prepare something to say. It's not legal, but that doesn't stop people from asking and if you want the job you have to have an appropriate response. I would not bring it up during your phone interview.
When you go in for an interview they will be able to figure it out, but I don't think they will be allowed to ask you about it. I wouldn't bring it up at all.
I think you should say something during the interview. I think, if you don't, and they find out after you've been hired, it won't look good. JMO
Good luck!! :o)
Tele interview is just step 1...wait until they like you and ask for an in-person interview. Prepare something ahead of time to say regarding your plans for working, returning to work and know that FMLA will not cover your leave so they can replace you or not hold the job...i have a few friends whose employers were nice enough to provide paid leave under similar circumstances even though the employers didn't HAVE to. Good luck!
In most interviews there is a point in which you are asked about your future ambitions. Like, where do you see yourself 5 years from now? or What are your goals for your career? or something like that.
At that point you can mix the news of your pregnancy with your answer. I am sure that you have considered how your career will change with the new baby on board. Do you want to work more hours, or fewer? Do you want to take on a new project or scale back? Are you looking to change the direction of your career just a little to accomodate your life as a parent of a new little one? Whatever it is, you should be able to explain yourself pretty easily and truthfully while mentioning that you are pregnant.
I interviewed while I was pregnant, also around 27 weeks or so. You don't really show a lot, so people may not notice that you are expecting. So it really is important to say something, and early in the process as well.
I recall, after being asked about my future aspirations for my career, saying something like, "Well, I see myself doing more research. Currently I am 27 weeks pregnant with my first. So when I ready to return to work, I hope that I can be allowed time to begin delving into some research projects and also have enough time to balance work and personal life."
It is totally fair to hire someone while pregnant. It is NOT fair to not disclose a pregnancy until very late in the interview process or even after you are hired. I have helped my practice to hire, and believe me, this is unbelievably common! It really is so annoying and disrespectful. We need to stop being so skittish about the issue. If you are pregnant, so be it, and let the employers decide how they will handle coverage.
Boy-don't we still feel like we live in the 50's huh? It is correct in the fact by law they aren't allowed to ask you if you are pregnant or anything in relation and "discriminate" for that. However upon arrival it would most likely be clearly visible your condition. As women we are still scrutinized for having babies aren't we? Not fair but it's just how corporate america is.
Personally I think it's up to you if you want to disclose it or not. In a telephone interview I don't think I personally would disclose it.....however it's obvious that you need to touch the subject because your availability for 6-12 weeks will obviously be limited but perhaps you could work an agreement out then but I wouldn't disclose it to them over just a telephone interview but I think you should disclose it so it can be discussed. Maybe once they hear what your game plan is that will just be an oversight if they really like you and want you. Just know that because you are pregnant and so close to the end as well that it might prevent you from getting the job over another person....but of course by law they wouldn't ever tell you that in a million years. I will be glad to see the day that a woman is not looked down upon for giving life.......just because we have a baby doesn't mean we can't get the job done.
