Forum Babbles

Telling the new employer about the pregnancy?

7 replies

LillyGuest ·
Hey ladies, the title says it all. I’ll probably have a job interview soon. I’m currently 19 weeks pregnant, so I’ll need to go on leave in December. I’m not sure how many weeks of leave you’re entitled to, but I’d really like to start again in January. We really need the extra income for our little one! My question is, should I be honest and tell them I’m pregnant right away, or wait a bit?

Replies

  1. Irma Guest #2

    You always have the right to 16 weeks
  2. zwijgt #3

    I'd be open to it. I personally applied for an internship rather than a regular job, but it was a paid teaching internship (LIO), so I'd actually be working as a teacher. All the schools had no problem with this and could arrange leave just fine . I made sure to plan everything out in advance and only scheduled 7 weeks of leave. I could also have taken one paid LIO week. My boyfriend isn't pregnant, of course, but during his application process he mentioned he'd want time off for all ultrasounds, midwife visits, and other pregnancy-related matters. He got hired, and they even saw it as a plus. Also, if you're not honest about it, it'll eventually come out that you're pregnant, and people will probably look down on you if you don't tell them right away. Working in a negative work environment doesn't sound appealing to me personally. I've seen this kind of thing happen before, and unfortunately, there was quite a bit of gossip.
  3. Lilly started this #4

    Hey Irma and Moedernatuur, thanks for your replies! Yeah, I was also leaning more towards telling them. I think if I get called in for the interview, I'll mention it at the end of the conversation, asking if they have any objections if I go on vacation in November/December, and then say that I'm pregnant.

    I already have a belly, but it's not very noticeable as a pregnant bump; it looks more like a 'beer belly'. It's for a creative role, namely graphic design/DTP, so 80-90% of the job is sitting at a desk.

    By the way, can you start working earlier if you get maternity leave?
  4. zwijgt #5

    That way you solve it right away... in a way that's beneficial for them and increases your chances of being accepted. I think it's a good idea to offer to hand over your vacation days! That way you're accommodating them and also showing, I think, that you really want to work! I hope it works out well for you . Make a good first impression, prepare well, and above all, be yourself and honest. . I'll be rooting for you . It'll definitely work out, and if not, something else will surely come your way.
  5. Lilly started this #6

    Mother Nature, thank you for your reply, I really needed that! It brings a lump to my throat, but I'm still super emotional thanks to those hormones. Anyway, thanks for rooting for me!
  6. zwijgt #7

    You're welcome I'm just sharing my opinion .
  7. dammie #8

    In January I applied for a new job and got accepted. I started there on April 1st. On March 1st I found out I was pregnant. I told my new boss at 12 weeks. But also the process I was in and that it's a miracle it happened spontaneously and so quickly... they didn't mind at all.. they were very open and honest and liked that I was too.

    Maternity leave is really necessary to recover. If you get the chance to take 10 weeks after birth, do it. You don't know how your birth will go, but you also don't know how your recovery will go. If you go back to work too quickly and then have to report sick early because it's not going well, it costs them money..
    Pregnancy leave costs the employer nothing. That's paid by the UWV. At least if you live in the Netherlands.

    But the advice is just to be honest.. you don't have to officially tell them 3 weeks before you start your leave.. but well then it's already visible hihi. I'd just be honest. They prefer that. Good luck.

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