Job Discrimination!

[BrooklynActor]

So I found out today that my boss in a meeting stated that he wasn't sure of my commitment to being able to work for the company because I'm having a baby! Yes because I'm having a baby he's questioning, behind my back, how much of a distraction my child will be!!! What is wrong with people!? one would think perhaps the opposite that with the MASSIVE responsibility of having a child that one would be even more worried about MAINTAINING his/her job to provide for his/her family NOT the other way around. I found out my other boss kept his ENTIRE marriage and pregnant wife a secret from everyone because of exactly this! And his wife works in our office!!! everyday before arriving to work they would take their rings off and never mention or interact with eachother to hide the pregnancy! I don't understand this!? I had a long conversation with my DP about telling individual I work with about our pregnancy and for the longest time I kept it a secret, very much keeping my personal life removed from my professional. However after some time, I began to feel like I was trying to "hide" the fact. I would avoid conversations and deflect anything that has to do with my DP and I. Finally I had had enough. But now I am finding out that my job is in jeapardy because of exactly this! The powers that be are now saying behind closed doors that my baby is going to be a distraction and they need %100 for their clients! HOW DARE THEY!! I feel soo upset and turned on! What's wrong with people!! Great so the fact that I'm having a child put me in jeopardy of loosing my job!!?? What sense does that make!? and who's business is it anyway AT ALL what is going on in my own personal life! IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM!!! HOW DARE THEY!!! THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE ME!!!
Can anyone relate!? has anyone experience anything like this!? in a time when you should be celebrating being met with such utter discrimination!!!!

[GranoLLLy-girl]

Originally Posted by BrooklynActor

So I found out today that my boss in a meeting stated that he wasn't sure of my commitment to being able to work for the company because I'm having a baby! Yes because I'm having a baby he's questioning, behind my back, how much of a distraction my child will be!!! What is wrong with people!? one would think perhaps the opposite that with the MASSIVE responsibility of having a child that one would be even more worried about MAINTAINING his/her job to provide for his/her family NOT the other way around. I found out my other boss kept his ENTIRE marriage and pregnant wife a secret from everyone because of exactly this! And his wife works in our office!!! everyday before arriving to work they would take their rings off and never mention or interact with eachother to hide the pregnancy! I don't understand this!? I had a long conversation with my DP about telling individual I work with about our pregnancy and for the longest time I kept it a secret, very much keeping my personal life removed from my professional. However after some time, I began to feel like I was trying to "hide" the fact. I would avoid conversations and deflect anything that has to do with my DP and I. Finally I had had enough. But now I am finding out that my job is in jeapardy because of exactly this! The powers that be are now saying behind closed doors that my baby is going to be a distraction and they need %100 for their clients! HOW DARE THEY!! I feel soo upset and turned on! What's wrong with people!! Great so the fact that I'm having a child put me in jeopardy of loosing my job!!?? What sense does that make!? and who's business is it anyway AT ALL what is going on in my own personal life! IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM!!! HOW DARE THEY!!! THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE ME!!!
Can anyone relate!? has anyone experience anything like this!? in a time when you should be celebrating being met with such utter discrimination!!!!

I have never been in this situation personally---but I can say that you should document anything that happens to you now that you are in this situation. Write down dates, times, things that people say and under what circumstances in case you find yourself unemployed--you can get an attorney and file against them.
The red flag for me that your employment isn't a healthy place in GENERAL, beyond your personal circumstances, is the part of your post where you describe people removing their wedding rings, etc. That smells.
Document that behavior, too, if you can remember when it happened.
Times are tough now--I don't have to tell you that--so play the game and maintain cool. Realize that discrimination comes in all forms and that those who are smart, maintain cool, make the best of it, document everything, and all the while keep your eyes out for a better place to work, are the ones that eventually rise to the top. I really believe that karma is a Xitch.
Hang in there. Congrats on your new baby!

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Originally Posted by BrooklynActor

So I found out today that my boss in a meeting stated that he wasn't sure of my commitment to being able to work for the company because I'm having a baby! Yes because I'm having a baby he's questioning, behind my back, how much of a distraction my child will be!!! What is wrong with people!? one would think perhaps the opposite that with the MASSIVE responsibility of having a child that one would be even more worried about MAINTAINING his/her job to provide for his/her family NOT the other way around. I found out my other boss kept his ENTIRE marriage and pregnant wife a secret from everyone because of exactly this! And his wife works in our office!!! everyday before arriving to work they would take their rings off and never mention or interact with eachother to hide the pregnancy! I don't understand this!? I had a long conversation with my DP about telling individual I work with about our pregnancy and for the longest time I kept it a secret, very much keeping my personal life removed from my professional. However after some time, I began to feel like I was trying to "hide" the fact. I would avoid conversations and deflect anything that has to do with my DP and I. Finally I had had enough. But now I am finding out that my job is in jeapardy because of exactly this! The powers that be are now saying behind closed doors that my baby is going to be a distraction and they need %100 for their clients! HOW DARE THEY!! I feel soo upset and turned on! What's wrong with people!! Great so the fact that I'm having a child put me in jeopardy of loosing my job!!?? What sense does that make!? and who's business is it anyway AT ALL what is going on in my own personal life! IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM!!! HOW DARE THEY!!! THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE ME!!!
Can anyone relate!? has anyone experience anything like this!? in a time when you should be celebrating being met with such utter discrimination!!!!

Sorry this post is so late, but I only check the 'Dads' forum once every blue moon!

I do believe that it may be our kind of work that discriminates perhaps a bit more than normal (assuming by your name that you are an actor ). I am currently a student, but working as a costume designer. I've been straight up told by the theater and artistic directors that this is not a family job and that having a family will straight up disqualify me from jobs at the theater, reguardless of my talent. When I asked why, they brought up the same reasons that you were told, I'm not dependable, my head won't fully be in the game, ect. Keep in mind that I am the ONLY person who has shown up on time, made the deadlines and been available and not only made all my shifts, but made up ones for co-workers!

I made my objections known and after a bit of bantering back and forth now have a couple of shows to design. It is hard, b/c in my case we have 3 boys and my husband is a full time student as well, so I have hours that I can work and days that I have to have off and honestly they want someone who will come at a drop of a hat (even though they rarely ever take advantage of it). Gratefully they have gotten over it with me b/c they see that I'm a bit more driven thanks to my children and have more motivation to get things done than the average person, but it was definitely a struggle to get there.

I just wanted to post and let you know that you are not alone!