Jobseeking while pregnant

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sinead76

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I have a friend who is working on a contract position (non-renewable, maternity cover) which is due to expire next month. She is currently looking for a new job but is four months pregnant. The pregnancy is not very visible but she feels if she tells a prospective employer/agency of her pregnancy they won't be so keen to employ her, but feels she would be deceiving them by taking the job and then 4 months maternity leave soon after. Not working is not an option for her (mortgage etc.)

Does anyone know how employers view this kind of thing, as worrying about it is the last thing she needs in her condition!

Advice appreciated!
 
I think your friend is correct in that employers are less inclined to hire someone they know is going to be out on maternity leave; and yes, we all know that to discriminate on grounds of pregnancy is illegal but it happens everyday.

The pregnancy is neither here nor there in respect of the ability to do the job (assuming we are not talking about hauling heavy boxes around!), so I see no reason to mention it in interviews; however it may be better to apply for short term contract work rather than full-time employment.
 
There is no doubt that knowledge of a pregnancy would be a deterrant for most employers, all other things being equal - unless she has very specialist skills or knowledge which the employer would be prepared to wait for.
 
My own advice to her was to go for interviews, the pregnancy isn't very obvious, see if she gets offered any jobs first and then tell them. She's an honesty is the best policy kind of person but I think she'd be there for a few months and at least maternity leave is planned, someone could just as easily be out sick for 18 weeks. She's not expecting them to top up her maternity pay, she reckons she'll get €249 a week statutory pay if she gets a P45 14 weeks before her due date but then that money will stop 4 weeks after the baby is born. A fixed term contract would be ideal but I don't think there's too many around. She lives in Co. Waterford
 
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