New Job - Pregnancy?


Just wondering if you hold the same strong views if you were working for a very small company as well as say a big plc ?
 
fatmanknows -

YES absolutely...having a baby is a fundamental decision in life, far removed from the mundane day to day decisions one makes about work, career etc. And for the record I DON'T have children nor do I plan to have any in the near future...however I respect the right of any woman/couple in ANY career circumstance to "go forward and multiply" without needing to consider an entity such as a company or person outside of her /their personal life...
 

As a very small employer, you'd scare the pants off me !
 
No employer has the right to expect that any of his employees should take into consideration his business plans, (no matter what the size of the comapny may be), when making serious decisions effecting their personal lives - especially something as serious and life-changing as this.
 
Not about rights or entitlements etc etc rather just being a little more considerate to potential employers that's all!

Just wondering in the case of someone who applies for a new job and is either pregnant or planning to get pregnant asap (and not all women take ages to get pregnant) do you inform new employer at interview that you are either pregnant or planning a family? (and I know you don't have to - I am just wondering would you). For example employer asks if you have any long term goals or plans etc or can you see yourself working here for a few years - will you be able to travel over the course of the next two years etc etc Do you tell him then that you will be starting a family as soon as possible and probably will taking maternity leave at the end of the year, How does this work? and again I know you don't have to inform employer I am just interested to know how many people would give employer the 'heads up'
 

No, I don't think I would tell a potential employer about a potential situation that might arise at some indeterminate time in the future. What would be refreshing would be if potential employers outlined at interview stage what their policies are in relation to their employees' maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave, so that a potential employee has some insight into the company's stance on leave, and on what additional benefits or leave, if any, might be afforded to him/her. If I got the impression at interview that an employee seeking leave for family reasons at any time in the future would be viewed as hassle-y or inconsiderate, I would walk away and bring my talents elsewhere.

I think that many companies take a short-sighted view of maternity leave, seeing it as hugely disruptive for the 22-26 weeks that the woman is on leave, and tend not to consider the long-term value of the employer-employee relationship which may have already lasted years and may continue well into the future.
 


So if at interview employer fully informed you about maternity policy etc would you then say well actually i am planning to start my family asap or actually i'm pregnant at the moment?
 
ney001 said:
So if at interview employer fully informed you about maternity policy etc would you then say well actually i am planning to start my family asap or actually i'm pregnant at the moment?
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Well, it would depend on whether either of those comments were actually applicable to me! But in general, I don't think it's anybody's business when a couple plans or hopes to start a family, so the answer to your first question is 'no'. If I were more than 14 weeks pregnant, I would say so; if less than that, I wouldn't. That is just me.

But really the point of my previous post is that, if employers outline what their policies are at interview stage, then everyone is clear on how leave for family reasons is going to be handled if the situation arises sometime in the future. This helps avoid speculation on each side and IMO is more likely to lead to a fruitful (no pun intended) working relationship for both parties.
 

Equally, no employee has the right to expect the employer to have more interest in the employees family plans than they do in their own business.....no doubt you'll agree.
 

Personally I would think it very poor form indeed if I interviewed someone and discussed all benefits etc and policies of the company particularly re maternity and that person was pregnant but did not say so at interview - If a company is open and forthcoming re entitlements then I do think that the person being interviewed should be open and honest - now that would be refreshing!
 


Because you would probably not give that person the job in a million years considering your views so far so the person would be commiting career suicide by telling you their family plans in advance. You are NOT required to divulge this information at interview stage and would be surprised if people would especially given the views expressed by the potential employer here!
 

As stated I do know that you are NOT required to divulge this information but surely it's not all about what you are required to do or what you are entitled do - sometimes just a bit of courtesy comes into it. I would take a dimmer view of somebody who was pregnant at interview but didn't say anything then somebody who told me at interview that yes they want to work here long term and are pregnant at the moment! - honesty is the best policy IMO and at least all cards are on the table. And no I never said it would be career suicide (bit dramatic me thinks) and I do realise that people have to have families etc what I am saying is that if you attend an interview you should inform you prospective employer that you are pregnant and/or possibly starting a family this year - particularly in the case of smaller companies who should be made aware that they will probably have to recruit twice in the same year for the same job!
 
I have to say that it is not a black & white situation...............I have seen for myself that some jobs just arent suited to having a temp for x months while someone on maternity & the place goes to the dogs while other jobs are easily interchangible.
At the same time it is everyones right to have children if they are able to..........
Personally I would put myself in the position of being in a job that suits me having children prior to having them. For instance my current job would not be possible to do with children - travel/overtime etc involved. Therefore I cannot expect the job to change for me. I will move to somewhere more suitable when I decide to have kids.
I guess mayb I am more realistic & realise that my career will have to take a step back to have kids - even if it is for only a few years. Some women expect to have it all & that is not possible (unless your partner decides to pick up the slack - although they can't do that for maternity leave!)

Every situation is different.
 

Here Here !

Well Put.
 


Good point well made!. I think better communication between employer and employee would help everyone.
 
I guess mayb I am more realistic & realise that my career will have to take a step back to have kids - even if it is for only a few years. Some women expect to have it all & that is not possible
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Am I the only one who thinks this is a sad indictment of the way things are for women in practice? Don't get me wrong- I think Winnie is being realistic and what she says is the truth- but it is sad.
 
It is wrong in my view to see this as an issue which only affects women.

There is a quiet and unceasing war of the sexes being waged on this issue.

If as a society we were serious about promoting a more equal work\life balance for parents of both genders, we would not have extended the period of paid maternity leave as happened in the past year or so. If we were serious about promoting a more balanced sharing of parenting responsibilities we would instead have spent this money giving paid leave to fathers - and perhaps even adding extra incentives -for fathers only -to try to redress the years of imbalance in this area. But we didn't; and nobody seems to have protested at the inherent unfairness of this.
 
I know this is getting into letting off steam territory, sorry in advance. MOB- I think you are absolutely right. A couple should have the right in all circumstances to opt for either the mother or father to take the paid maternity leave or even share. I also think that men who wish to take parental leave are discrimated against at work to such an extent that for many it would be career suicide to do so. Of course that doesnt detract from the above argument- it's merely another dimension to it.
 
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