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Pregnant and job hunting
LenaGuest ·
Hi everyone,
About a week before I found out I was pregnant, I lost my job. Really really disappointing!
Especially since we need that income to make ends meet. My partner is having trouble finding work, he's trying his best, but it's not working out yet.
Plus, I've always been independent and I just want to work too.
So, when I was 8 weeks pregnant, I had a job interview that went really well. I decided to be honest about the pregnancy but I have a strong feeling that's why they rejected me. They even said 'yes... I'm actually really enthusiastic about you.. it's a shame you're pregnant. Well, nice for you of course, but it's a bit of a downside.'
Then a week or so later I heard they chose the other candidate. Now I know pregnancy isn't a valid reason to reject someone, but a. They'll probably come up with another reason ('the other candidate fits the team better'
and b. You could give them a lot of hassle, but what's the point? You don't want to work there anymore anyway.
When I was 12 weeks pregnant, I had another interview and decided not to tell them right away. Now, at week 13 of my pregnancy, I heard I got the job.
I originally wanted to wait until after my probation period to tell them. Also under the guise of 'I only just found out myself'. But well, that's not very believable anymore since I'd be at 20 weeks by then. Plus, I think it wouldn't do the work relationship any good either.
So my plan is now to tell them during my probation period. Still under the guise that I only found out then too. (Maybe I'll just keep taking the pill and won't have any clear symptoms, who knows, they can't know)
It feels really bad to have to play it like this, but I was so scared I wouldn't get hired. Now they could technically still fire me if they want, because well, probation period. But then I'd be sure that's the reason and... it's not very decent of them either. Although I have no idea how they'll react. I've had 2 interviews, it's a small company and they came across as extremely friendly and human. But you never know.
Does anyone have experience with this? How did you handle it during job interviews while pregnant?
About a week before I found out I was pregnant, I lost my job. Really really disappointing!
Especially since we need that income to make ends meet. My partner is having trouble finding work, he's trying his best, but it's not working out yet.
Plus, I've always been independent and I just want to work too.
So, when I was 8 weeks pregnant, I had a job interview that went really well. I decided to be honest about the pregnancy but I have a strong feeling that's why they rejected me. They even said 'yes... I'm actually really enthusiastic about you.. it's a shame you're pregnant. Well, nice for you of course, but it's a bit of a downside.'
Then a week or so later I heard they chose the other candidate. Now I know pregnancy isn't a valid reason to reject someone, but a. They'll probably come up with another reason ('the other candidate fits the team better'
and b. You could give them a lot of hassle, but what's the point? You don't want to work there anymore anyway.When I was 12 weeks pregnant, I had another interview and decided not to tell them right away. Now, at week 13 of my pregnancy, I heard I got the job.
I originally wanted to wait until after my probation period to tell them. Also under the guise of 'I only just found out myself'. But well, that's not very believable anymore since I'd be at 20 weeks by then. Plus, I think it wouldn't do the work relationship any good either.
So my plan is now to tell them during my probation period. Still under the guise that I only found out then too. (Maybe I'll just keep taking the pill and won't have any clear symptoms, who knows, they can't know)
It feels really bad to have to play it like this, but I was so scared I wouldn't get hired. Now they could technically still fire me if they want, because well, probation period. But then I'd be sure that's the reason and... it's not very decent of them either. Although I have no idea how they'll react. I've had 2 interviews, it's a small company and they came across as extremely friendly and human. But you never know.
Does anyone have experience with this? How did you handle it during job interviews while pregnant?
Replies
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Lena started this #2
Or just advice is welcome too. How would you handle it? Tell them after the probation period (legally I'm not required to yet) or before (seems more decent)? -
elisa #3
Honestly, I’d pretend I just found out and am in shock, otherwise it’s kinda sneaky or whatever.. little white lie for self-preservation haha good luck -
Lena #4
Yeah, normally I'm really open and honest, but I really need this job. I can't afford to be on unemployment benefits for the entire pregnancy.
Of course, there's this whole campaign against pregnancy discrimination going on now... but as I said before, they'll always be able to come up with another reason, so try proving that that's the reason you weren't hired. -
Romee1 #5
Lena, how did it go? -
Chantal Guest #6
I had the same problem here. I was hired, but I had to tell them during my probation period (small village, and I was already close to 20 weeks). If I had waited out my probation, I would have been at 22 weeks. I wasn't showing much yet, but it was either through me or through others.
I chose to tell them. A week later, I got the news that my probation period was terminated immediately. At first, I was very disappointed, but well, if that's the mentality there...
After that, I gave up on job hunting since they wouldn't hire anyone over 20 weeks anyway. After 30 weeks, I was transferred to an obstetrician because she is smaller and lighter than average. Because of this, I went from unemployment benefits (WW) to sickness benefits (Ziektewet), and now I've just applied for WAZO. It's not ideal, but there's no other way. The job they suggested to me through the UWV was impossible for me.
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