Interviewing while pregnant :/

[CarlyD]

Hello all

I am almost 13 weeks pregnant and have known since almost day one...

I told my work asap at 7 weeks, who seemed understanding, I had only been there 4 months but they seemed to go through all the health and safety with me etc. However it was quite an active job, and although everyone knew, I still felt I was being asked to do too much - being asked to clean out the cats (one of the main things my husband was making me stay away from at home!)being watched while I lugged out the back-breaking bins. I was at one point stopped, but only because someone wanted to add their bin bag to my load! It was minimum wage and 16 hours a week - I lost my motivation.

Anyway sorry to moan and go on... It is for these reasons and much more... and the fact I can't stand up for myself that I left that job.

We have worked out that we can scrape by with me on job seekers allowance until the baby arrives - not ideal so I have been applying to other jobs, and have landed myself an interview for an office job tomorrow. At first I was going to tell them at the interview - I do have a bit of a podge belly and was wondering how much longer I could realistically hide it. However I then read a lot of horror stories of people having their job offers taken away when it was realised they were pregnant. On the one hand it's a VERY small office/company, so when they find out there could be high tension.. On the other hand I could go another 2 or 3 months hiding the bump (hopefully? first child so fingers I don't explode too soon!) and also at 13 weeks it's not unfeasible that I wouldn't even know myself right now so they don't have to know I lied :/

Sorry if I seem really scumbaggish right now. I feel awful, my dad owns a small company and I know it's not ideal to take on a new person only for them to take off 3+ months not long after. I want to be honest, but I genuinely think it would completely jeapordize my chances, and we are so broke right now it would be a huge pressure off if I could get this job. I also think I could really be good at the job, and work my butt off for 4-5 months before I have to take time off - enough time to prove myself?

My secondary problem is my appearance. No one wants to hire a bimbo, however I'm 24, blonde hair, and pregnancy has made my boobs like double in size! I figure best I can do is tie my hair back, don't wear anything at all tight, and maybe wear glasses? Lol. This may require a trip to tesco a bit later to get some appropriate clothes!

Thanks for reading my boring story xxx

 

[BabyBrain]

Hun have you not thought of approaching an agency for temp contracts? You could pick and choose then and who knows they might be so impressed they want you back full time after the baby is born? At least this way you can make sure its the job and amount of time you want and variation with agency work is always good for the CV xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Jaxx01]

I dont think legally they can withdraw a job offer just because you are pregnant...Im also pretty sure you dont have to tell them until 25 weeks but no later!!!! Id say go for it...

xx

 

[littlemuffin]

Hi,

The only thing I can think of, is that my friend started a new job and as most places, they put you on a 3 month probation, and when she told them, she wasn't past the 3 months and they let her go.

But I really don't want to send you anything negative, so you never know, give it a try.

 

[CarlyD]

Thank you everyone I think I will go for it... Even if they do let me go after probation that's 3 months of full time pay that will help us get our heads a little above water. And I can try temping after that

I bet after all this I don't even get offered the job lol.

littlemuffin our due dates are exactly the same!! xx

 

[NinjaKitty]

I wouldn't tell them. You don't have to until you get to 15 weeks before your EDD. They are not allowed to discriminate against you because you are pregnant however at interview or probation they could make up some other excuse so I wouldn't give them opportunity to do so.

As for the bimbo thing, I wish I looked like that . Just dress and act professionally and you'll be fine.

 

[flaxen]

Were you working in a vets?
I do, it isnt unreasonable to be asked to clean out litter trays you just need to wear gloves and double glove if need be. Apart from xrays ( still did in the begining as I didnt know and horses wont just lie still while you take them) I still do all vet nurse duties including anaesthesia and ward duties. Its not cats themselves thats the problem its their faeces and I clean out my cats litter trays at home as my fiance wont.

 

[Bee7]

CarlyD...go for it! Don't think of it as lying, think of it as reserving part of the truth lol.

I'm lucky enough to work full time and have a very understanding boss and a generous maternity package. Before i found out i was pregnant i was applying for 'career' jobs and just recently was offered an interview for a job in marketing/journalism which i really wanted to do. To cut a long story short, i turned it down but only because it was a temp contract and as i mentioned i have a lot of benefits in my current job even though the pay isnt so great.

Everyone is in different positions when it comes to employment and usually employers (particularly in larger companies) allow for this sort of stuff. The important thing isn't ruffling a few feathers in your new workplace, its getting as much money together as possible for when baby arrives. Someone said to me the other day that in most workplaces these days you're just a number. Easily replaceable. So go for it, get some money saved and don't lose any sleep over it. Good luck hun xxx

 

[Hunnie]

I wouldnt tell them either

hope the interview goes well xxx

 

[pinkyprincess]

How'd the interview go?