Pregnancy and temping (contract work)

[incomplete]

Just wondering if anyone has got pregnant whilst being a temp?

If so, were you discriminated against by the agency? When putting you forward for an assigmnent, does the agency have to disclose to the pregnancy to the client?

I used to temp but just took a perm role, 2 weeks into the job, which I knew would be busy and potentially long hours, but didn't expect to fall pregnant naturally (after IVF) and find out 2 weeks before starting the job. I'm not sure where that's going to head, particularly once I tell them in a few weeks but I'm trying to look at my options (if they were to give me the flick) and see if temping could be an option again, though I'm wondering whether I'd get no work given the pregnancy.

[onthefly]

They can't fire you for being pregnant, can they?
It shouldnt' make any difference (legally), but I spose they might find 'excuses' not to put you forward. If it's only temping anyway, it really shouldn't matter that you'll be heading off in a bit have a baby, though.

[Mum2SweetCs]

If you took a perm role the company cannot fire you. What is your probation period? I dont think you need to tell anyone that you are pregnant anyway.

Although it is illegal to judge someone on their pregnancy staus, im hoping the agencies wont make up other excuses to put you forward for jobs. Goodluck

[incomplete]

yes, I don't think my new job can fire me directly based on pregnancy, but I'm on 3 months probation and in my contract it says the period will enable me and the company to determine "if the position is suitable to your skills, qualifications and capacity". So I'm sure somehow they can find a way to terminate on that basis, not having the capacity to do the job. If I get asked to do long hours during a tender that is coming, I'm going to refuse. I did a 12 hour day on Sunday with personal events and I was knackered. I might be getting all paranoid for nothing, but boss when he talks about my role, talks long term. I just feel like I'm letting them down. I think I will contact one of my recruitment consultants and see what they say. I think govt aren't allowed to discriminate contractors based on pregnancy. Think I've seen it in their ads or something somewhere when looking for roles.

[Teeki]

As marcellus said, you can't be fired for being pregnant, and the temping agency can't discriminate against you for this reason either.

I'd probably not tell your current employers until you are comfortable. It's not as though you deliberately took a permanent role knowing that you'd be leaving soon, and it shouldn't make a difference anyway. Even if something did happen and the permanent position didn't work out for whatever reason, it's like marcellus sais - as a temp you won't be in a role for a great length of time so the fact that you're pregnant should have no bearing on it, as long as you can do the work!

Congrats on your pregnancy, and good luck with work

ETA: Whoops! Posted at the same time as you Don't worry about letting them down hun, you need to do what's right for you, and if 12 hour days are no good for you then you should have no worries saying you can't work that long. Good luck chatting with the recruitment consultant!