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Syndicated columnist
Q: I'm looking at a great job with a great company. However, I'm in the early stages of pregnancy, and I'm concerned about how to handle it. I know it's illegal to discriminate against pregnant women, but let's face it -- that happens. Should I risk rejection by telling the employer about my situation up front, or wait until I am settled in the job and then lower the boom, but risk alienating my employer? I am only nine weeks along and can probably hide my condition for quite a while after they hire me.
Nick's reply: Pregnant women can work, and employers can manage a work schedule when a baby comes. The challenge is to plan together.
My advice is to do the interview and win an offer on the basis of who you are and what you can do. Then, just before you give them a decision, be responsible and tell the employers you will need time off when the baby comes. It won't be so easy for them to rescind the offer (it may be illegal), and you'll learn a lot from their reaction, too.
If you plan to return to work after the baby comes, say so, and provide details on your schedule. Be ready to make a commitment. If they express dismay that you didn't tell them this before they made the offer, but they're still eager to hire you, that's a good sign. If they get really upset about it, I doubt you'd want to work there. They're not going to be very supportive of a working mother. If you want to take legal action at that point, it's up to you. (I'm not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice, but I'd guess you'd have a pretty good case.)
Your having a baby is your own business. Your ability to do the job properly is the employer's business. How you handle this is a sign of your integrity. And how the employer handles it reveals theirs. My advice is to act responsibly without putting yourself at a disadvantage and to hold any employer to a similar standard.
Copyright 2008. Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate
Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job" and the host of www.asktheheadhunter.com. He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.
By jessica on November 15, 2009 7:36 PM
i am 7 months pregnant and this will be my 2nd interview with this company and i really want the job but i am kinda skeptical to tell them i am pregnant.