Applying for jobs whilst pg

Hi

What legal responsibilities are there to let a prospective employer know that you are pg?

Do you think there is ever a moral responsibility to let them know?

When to let them know? How?

dilemmas.

thanks

I don't think there is a legal reason to tell them - but morally I think it's a good idea, especially if exceptions need to be made for you. I think it's just nice to let them know you have no intention of staying there for more than a few months, because you're pregnant, KWIM? I'd be telling them at the interview, so there's no bad vibe.

And I must've missed the announcement, so CONGRATULATIONS!! :happyforyou:

When I was looking while early pg, I told them upfront for temp assignments (were only short term anyhow).. But for something more long term, I would wait till offered the job and tell them before accepting. That way you know that your pg did not play a role in you getting the job (or not getting it).

There are no legal responsibilities for telling prospective employers that you are pregnant, unless there's a possible OH&S concern - like if the job you're applying for involves being exposed to chemicals, or something that might prevent you from doing the job because you're pregnant.

An employer cannot use your pregnancy as a reason not to give you a job, and they should definitely not ask you whether you're pregnant or planning to have a family, during a job interview - that's discrimination. They can ask you if there is anything that might prevent you from doing the job, and pregnancy might be a factor in that (for example, working with cats in a vet clinic might be something you want to avoid whilst pregnant - you should tell the employer about that).

If you're already in a job and some of the tasks are things you can't do/want to avoid because of the pregnancy (cleaning out the the cat litter, for example), the employer needs to make reasonable changes to accommodate that, just like they might accommodate someone with a disability. But what are 'reasonable' changes is debatable.

Technically you don't even need to tell any employer that you're pregnant even if you're obviously showing a baby bump - the only time you have to tell them is when you put in an application for maternity leave.

GL!

No you don't have to, but I myself would. No one has any right to discriminate you for any reason from any job......I do like the idea of waiting to see if you get offered the job & perhaps saying something then.

I suppose depends what sort of job it is in regards to training etc. Try and see it from an employers perspective also, who have advertised & interviewed, then trained - to then have to do that all over again or pay a temp until your maternity leave is up....IYKWIM.

hmmmm I don't know, it's a tough one.....

Hi Kate,
Firstly Congratulations on your pregnancy! :)

I personally would not tell them but maybe it would depend on the job you are applying for iykwim? Are you planning on goin back there after bub is born?
When I fell pg last year I had to quit work as I was passing out and vomiting (not a good look for a waitress lol) then when I came good around 13 weeks I got a job in retail. I didnt tell them I was pg untill I had been there for 3 weeks and then I pretended Id only just found out. I felt SO bad lying but I didnt want being pg affect my chances getting the job I wanted and ultimately I had to worry about the bills getting payed not the feelings of a company.
They were all stoked when I told them and no hard feelings when I left.
Best of luck with whatever you decide to do :)

my current job - i have has for 3 years now but when i went for the interview I was 6 weeks preg.... I did not tell them about it at the interview, however when I was contacted about the 1nd interview I told them that i had just that day found out and I said that I was still very keen on the job (was only 1-2 days per week) and didnt see another baby as being a problem with the the job but said I would leave it in their hands... i went for the 2nd interview and was given the job there and then. I actaully worked up untill the day prior to being induced and then i had 3 months off before going back 1 day a week with my expressor in hand!
3 years on and they are still flexible.....

You have to go with your gut though i think - wait untill you meet them!

Firstly... congratulations Kate!!! :hooray:

I got a casual job with a charity doing office work... 3 months later, they offered me a full time position. That same week, I found out I wasd pregnant with DS. I decided that I'd be honest and be upfront about the pregnancy. HUGE MISTAKE!!! Not only did the take back the full time position... they sacked me! And, the manager was too gutless to tell me he wanted me gone, I only knew because I had girls calling about the vacant position... my position. Grrr... don't think that people will always do the right thing, because they don't!!!