what's the ethical guideline with work?

[mizznicole]

I'm wondering what the standard, agreed practice is for applying for a new job while pregnant. Do you tell them up front? Baby is due in late Nov. I'm looking at various teaching jobs. Thanks.

[MaerynPearl]

I suppose it really depends on the type of job, when they will be hiring, how long they will be employing you for and what you would be doing exactly...

For example, if I were applying for a deli position just to take over for another worker while she were on maternity leave, I wouldn't bother, because my pregnancy would not interfere with the job at all.

[expat_canuck]

I've been reading about this, because I'm currently unemployed and looking for work, and due in January.

From what I've read, you actually don't have to say anything, and, in fact, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you based on your pregnancy and family status (they can't ask, in the interview, for instance about your pregnancy directly). Of course, you may not be able to hide your belly in an interview, or you may not want to. And of course, just because they aren't officially allowed to not hire you because of your pregnancy status, they might suddenly find another candidate more suitable for the position.

I think I've decided to tell a potential employer about my pregnancy when they offer me the job - no point in revealing information that could possibly hurt my chances of being offered the position before I even have the offer, is what I figure. I kind of imagine saying something like "great, I'd love the job. in the interest in being totally honest and upfront with you, I've recently learned that I'm pregnant. I sure hope that doesn't change your offer" or something to that effect.

[LindsayK]

Originally Posted by expat_canuck

I think I've decided to tell a potential employer about my pregnancy when they offer me the job - no point in revealing information that could possibly hurt my chances of being offered the position before I even have the offer, is what I figure. I kind of imagine saying something like "great, I'd love the job. in the interest in being totally honest and upfront with you, I've recently learned that I'm pregnant. I sure hope that doesn't change your offer" or something to that effect.

Finding/getting a job is enough emotional stress without adding in the "I wonder if I didn't get an offer because I told them I was pregnant" aspect. When you get an offer, you can also assess what kind of employer they are by observing their reaction to your happy news, and you'll know that the reaction is based only on this piece of info, nothing else.

Given that you are looking at teaching positions, it may be that the particular position just won't work (for you or them) with you taking X months of maternity leave, and in that case, you can always bow out, and they'll just move to the second person on the list.

Remember that your future employer is first and foremost going to do what is in their best interest, and there is no reason why you shouldn't put your best interests first, too! Good luck with the job hunt!

[Carolinamom4]

Originally Posted by expat_canuck

I've been reading about this, because I'm currently unemployed and looking for work, and due in January.

From what I've read, you actually don't have to say anything, and, in fact, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you based on your pregnancy and family status (they can't ask, in the interview, for instance about your pregnancy directly). Of course, you may not be able to hide your belly in an interview, or you may not want to. And of course, just because they aren't officially allowed to not hire you because of your pregnancy status, they might suddenly find another candidate more suitable for the position.

I think I've decided to tell a potential employer about my pregnancy when they offer me the job - no point in revealing information that could possibly hurt my chances of being offered the position before I even have the offer, is what I figure. I kind of imagine saying something like "great, I'd love the job. in the interest in being totally honest and upfront with you, I've recently learned that I'm pregnant. I sure hope that doesn't change your offer" or something to that effect.

ditto. This happened to me and it has worked out well. Negative is a likely lack of maternity benefits, but that depends too.

[bella99]

I'd agree to tell any future employers when/if they offer you the job, but don't worry about it until then.

Not sure what kind of teaching job you are looking for, but I would just keep in mind that if it's K-12, you're not too likely to have your contract renewed if you take a length maternity leave when untenured.

[lunarlady]

I interviewed for teaching jobs when pregnant with DD (she was a mid-Nov) baby, and I was pretty upfront about it during interviews. Of course, being a small mama I was showing by then, so it wasn't really something I wanted them wondering about.

You should know that most districts don't have paid maternity leave until you've been in one full year, so your leave would most likely be unpaid. You can, of course, take up to 12 weeks unpaid, but I wouldn't reccomend it if you want to get renewed.

If you can hide your pregnancy, I would until the job offer is made. At that point, I would mention it because you will want to check on the maternity leave and health insurance aspects of the job. All told, however, I really feel that teaching in particular is a family friendly occupation. I know I had several offers when openly pregnant, and most schools see hiring a teacher as a long term investment, so it shouldn't deter them if they really like you. Good luck with your search!

[anj_rn]

Depends on what you are teaching an whether or not the position is contracted. If you can not complete the contract, I would be up front about it. Also depends on how long of a maternity leave you are planning to take. If you have the baby in late Nov, but are coming back at the start of the 2nd semester, there might not be a problem, since they could set up a sub early. If you are planning to take 3 months and be out Lat Nov - Late Feb, I would not think most schools would be OK with that for a new teacher. I would also take into account how many school districts are in your area, becasue you don't want to burn bridges.

Our neighbor interviewed with the the closest HS, but was preggers. She ended up taking a long term sub position Sept/Oct for a woman out on her maternity leave, and then another one March - May. She was hired on the next year as full time faculty. Would that be a possibility?

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by anj_rn

es.

Our neighbor interviewed with the the closest HS, but was preggers. She ended up taking a long term sub position Sept/Oct for a woman out on her maternity leave, and then another one March - May. She was hired on the next year as full time faculty. Would that be a possibility?

This is a great suggestion and one that I was going to offer. You get your foot in the door with no real obligation. But from what I've heard, taking over for another teacher mid year can be very difficult.

[St. Margaret]

In my district you could totally take mat leave right off the bat, but yeah it might hurt your chances of renewal-- it's a tough situation out there in some districts right now. We barely get any paid leave anyway-- there's an insurance thing our district offers that pays partial salary for a certain amount of time, and then your 10 days per school year you can use for that, too. But you're part of the union right away, as long as you're not a sub, so you do get that leave if you want it. I'd check out the district's web site and the union's web site-- a lot of time the info is right there, although it can be tricky to figure out!

I'd never tell ahead of time if I could help it. Too many people might discriminate. Get the job and then talk it through with them.