How to cope with applying for jobs while pregnant
Looking for a new job when you’re pregnant isn’t easy. Not only do you have to deal with sickness and other symptoms while going through applications and interviews, you may have to face some difficult decisions throughout the process, including if and when to reveal you are expecting to a future employer.
However, whether you’ve been made redundant or are unsatisfied in your current job, there is no reason why you can’t find a new role while pregnant. Although pregnancy may mean there are more challenges to consider, asking the right questions and getting as much information as possible can help you make the right decision for you. Here are some tips to make the process go a little smoother.
Consider what you want
It goes without saying that parenting comes with a huge number of responsibilities and life changes, so it’s essential to consider your needs and think about what you want from a job.
Think about whether you need flexible work to cope with childcare while working on your career, or if there is childcare on-site or near to the office. If you are interested in a certain company, find out where their workplace is and whether it is a reasonable commute, or if they are open to remote working.
READ MORE: What you need to know about changing jobs when you are pregnant
It can also help to research firms and find out whether they are family-friendly by scouring their website, company blogs, social media accounts and checking on business review websites like Glassdoor. Ask trusted friends or relatives who may know more about certain companies and how they treat their employees.
If a new job involves learning new skills or training, it’s important to think about whether you want this added responsibility while pregnant. Consider the time commitment to look for a new job and go through interviews while attending doctors’ appointments and other obligations.
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Find out about a company’s maternity leave policy
You have the right to up to 52 weeks' maternity leave if you're having a baby and are legally classed as an employee. You have this right from your first day of starting a job. After the first compulsory two or four weeks, how many of the 52 weeks you take is up to you, the Acas website states.
Some employers offer contractual maternity pay instead of statutory maternity pay. What you get depends on your employer, but you should never be worse off than if you just got statutory maternity pay.
If you have a partner, you might be able to use shared parental leave. This means your leave can be used more flexibly between you and your partner.
“The right to take maternity leave begins from day one of employment, affording up to 52 weeks of leave provided at least 15 weeks of notice prior to when the baby is expected is given to the employer for when the leave is due to start,” says Kate Palmer, HR advice director at the employment law and HR firm Peninsula. “However, employees must have worked for the company for at least 26 weeks to be eligible for statutory maternity pay, unless their contract offers additional maternity pay at an earlier point to this.
Be wary of discrimination
All candidates should be afforded equal opportunities when applying for a job regardless of their characteristics, including being pregnant. If a candidate is rejected purely on this basis, this could result in a claim for discrimination.
Although pregnancy legally should not affect whether you get a job or not, be aware that employers may find other “reasons” not to hire you. If this is the case, though, it’s likely to be an employer you don’t want to work for anyway.
“When considering a pregnant woman's application, employers must be aware of the dangers of both sex and pregnancy discrimination,” says Palmer.
“Under the Equality Act 2010, someone who is pregnant is discriminated against when they are treated unfavourably due to their pregnancy, such as not being offered a role purely due to being pregnant or being treated as such due to taking, or intending to take, maternity leave.”
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Sex discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably on the grounds of their sex than someone from the opposite sex. “Returning to the other example, it could be considered sex discrimination if a female candidate is not taken on in favour of a male candidate purely on the basis that she may fall pregnant,” Palmer says.
Consider whether to tell any employer
It’s up to you whether you tell a potential employer that you’re pregnant in an interview. You are not legally required to. If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy and haven’t even told friends or relatives yet, there’s no reason you would need to tell an employer. If you are further along and have a bump, it may be something you want to bring up – but you don’t have to.
If you receive a job offer, again it is up to you whether you want to tell them you are pregnant. Job offers tend to open up the opportunity for negotiation, so you may want to discuss things like maternity leave and a plan for returning to work. Being honest with an employer is likely to build a better relationship.
Focus on your skills, qualifications or experience and keep things professional. Employers will have to plan around your pregnancy, but if you are the right person for the role, they will benefit from having you on board.
