Pregnancy discrimination

chevyv, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2008

You very well might have been. I never told a perspective employer I was pregnant until I had the spot. My goodness some people act like your going to be pregnant forever! You don't want to work in that place anyway. Go through with the class and move on. Good luck with your baby and job. :heartbeat

Jolie, BSN · Aug 19, 2008

You may have experienced discrimination, but unless you can prove it, I suggest you not address it in class.

It is possible that your classmates were hired and arranged to attend the class prior to your discussion with the instructor. Maybe the instructor decided against offering you a position for some reason other than your pregnancy.

I'm sorry that you're in doubt. It is an uncomfortable feeling. In the future, remember that you have no obligation to divulge private information during an interview. That way there is no question as to whether or not it will influence a decision inappropriately.

beachlilie · Aug 20, 2008

I'm going to try to work somewhere else. I'm hoping that it won't cause any more problems. Thank you for the words of wisdom! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to respond to my message.

Butterfliesnroses · Aug 20, 2008

I'm an aide in LTC....My most dreaded phrase is when someone on shift says they are pregnant. This generally means they get to take as many breaks as they want (to go smoke), they must be in the easy dining room, they can't give residents a shower, and they can't work a section. With that said I worked until I was 38 weeks (1 week before delivery). I still took a section (easier section, no lifting), I still did showers, and did my regular section. I guess it all depends on how the person uses the pregnancy. My doctor had no qualms with me doing my regular job but that was only because I was used to it...and I had NO complications...I'm assuming you aren't used to the heavy lifting, physical demands that being an aide presents. I'd get a job somewhere else if you doctor and you both feel you can deal with the demands on top of being pregnant but don't mention your prengnancy until later.

sonomala · Aug 20, 2008

Honestly, If i were you I'd get certified and then wait till after the baby is born to start work.

Most employers simply don't want to hire someone whose pregnant because they need someone in the position thats fully able to do the work. Hiring someone whose pregnant means they have to be careful about the kinds of work they do, their will be inevitable doctors appointments ect that could cut into work days, and then after the babies born theres the time off and still many women say they'll come back but a few decide not too and then the employer has to start all over again.

Its also important to consider the legal ramifications for the employer, esp in health care. We live in a 'lawsuit world' and if something were to happen to you or your unborn child it could get ugly for them.

I wouldn't take it personally, I've been there done that. Take the class enjoy being pregnant and after the baby is born you'll find a great position for you.

sonomala · Aug 20, 2008

PS sadly given the type of work and how you disclosed it, its completely within their legal right to do it. And hiding your pregnancy from a potential employer can land you in hot water if the pos is in health care

chevyv, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2008

Consider not telling your next potential employer that your pregnant. That would be like telling them that your gay (not exactly, but I hope you get it). Think of how many more won't hire you because your going to be off on maternity leave, which means they have to cover. I worked on my due date and I was still lifting 300# plus people. I never took an easier assignment, because I never felt the need to. I was more tired, but I surely wasn't incapable of performing my duties. As long as the doc oks you to be doing what you can, I see no reason to hold off. I understand that everyone is different, but don't cut yourself short on what you won't be able to do and what you will be doing. Right now, try to concentrate on your certification and remember that place lost a really good cna before she was even a cna, how sad is that!

sonomala · Aug 20, 2008

Consider not telling your next potential employer that your pregnant. That would be like telling them that your gay (not exactly, but I hope you get it).

I have to completely disagree with your statement. I'm hoping that you meant because it would give a bigoted interviewer a reason not to hire them. If I had the choice between a homosexual candidate or a pregnant one, I'd take the homosexual one any day. The gay doesn't come with physical limitations future demands on time off ect.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2008

I simply meant that a don't ask, don't tell type of thinking should be applied here. Yes, a pregnant woman will take a leave, but it's not right to refuse to hire solely based on a pregnancy. I believe that would be illegal. I could care less if your gay, disabled, pregnant, or purple with orange polka dots. So, before people get off on a seperate thread and take my prior post the wrong way, I did not mean anything negative by my comments.

beachlilie · Aug 20, 2008

From the research that I have been doing on my own, from what other aids have been saying, and from the advice you have been giving me, I believe that the circumstance presented in my case would be illegal.

I talked to the aids that got hired after me, and they both applied for the class and the job the day before the class started, and they got both even though they had never been in the facility before. They were hired on the spot, and they didn't even know about what was entailed in the job until after they were hired, and didn't know that they were starting the class the next day. They just came to try to work at the front desk.

When I showed a real desire to work and take the class, the teacher was trying to tell me that I shouldn't even consider taking the class, lied about not hiring, and even told me that she isn't the one that does the hiring and tried to tell me I would need to make an appointment to meet with someone else, (when she in fact did hire both the ladies that were hired after she told me they were not hiring anyone). She solely focused on the fact that I was pregnant and trying to get into the field.

I'm not trying to play up the fact that I am pregnant. I'm not asking for any special privileges and I'm willing to work just as hard as anyone else. I'm doing the same work and the same duties that everyone else is doing already. I even helped change a colonostmy bag, with out making a big deal about the smell. When the teacher was giving me the mini interview, she didn't even ask about my past work experience or ask any of the normal job interview questions. And she flat out said that I would not get the job because I was pregnant. Not because I couldn't do the job, or because my work ethic was bad.

She has said more recently that she is very impressed that I have made it this far with classes and clinicals with out a complaint, been on time and participated with everything they have done. Which means that I am already capable of doing the tasks at hand.

I do understand that there is maternity leave involved with a pregnancy, but that is going to happen at any employer, no matter what industry I work in. Being single pregnant doesn't help, and when you're told flat out that you won't get the job because you're pregnant can really hurt. I have talked to some other hospitals and centers in the area, and even though I am "disabled" they are more than willing to consider me for employment. I just get worried that because I don't have a job now, it may be nearly impossible to get a job when class is over anywhere, not just as a CNA.

I have been up front in telling them that I am pregnant, but I served in a restaurant before I started the classes, which has a lot of demanding job requirements, and they understand that I'm used to being up and active. I'm starting to get too far along to hide that I'm pregnant, and I personally don't think that it would be the best idea to hide it.

The statements made above have been accurate. I believe that I got the message with the "don't ask, don't tell policy" because in any place of employment, it is illegal to discriminate against someone if they are pregnant, because of their gender, or because of their sexual orientation. The person that stated telling someone I am pregnant would be like telling them I'm gay, was not bashing on homosexual people in the slightest. She was simply stating that they get the same discrimination as someone who is straight up and says they are pregnant.

I'm more than capable of doing the job properly, and if they are worried about maternity leave, then they probably wouldn't hire any women, because at some point, a lot of women that are working get pregnant and have children, and will need the take a leave of absence. Because I'll need to take it in about six months shouldn't have to matter.

If someone does start using pregnancy as an excuse to not do something, it's just like using anything else as an excuse to not do it, and that's when the problem starts.

I think it should matter if someone is willing and capable, not if they are considered disabled... but that's just me.

Sorry it's so long! Guess I had a lot to say since I've been on.

sonomala · Aug 21, 2008

I simply meant that a don't ask, don't tell type of thinking should be applied here. Yes, a pregnant woman will take a leave, but it's not right to refuse to hire solely based on a pregnancy. I believe that would be illegal. I could care less if your gay, disabled, pregnant, or purple with orange polka dots. So, before people get off on a seperate thread and take my prior post the wrong way, I did not mean anything negative by my comments.

Its cool :) I was having a hormonal moment when I read it, sorry. :) Please forgive

:bow:

Beachlilie

I know your upset, you have every right to be. And I was in your shoes eons ago. I wasn't looking for work in healthcare but in any capacity. I'd get great feedback from an interviewer until I mentioned by pregnancy. Then it would be call back in a few days ect and I just wouldn't get the job. I used to get angry irate even. I sought advice from a lot of educated people. You know what I found out? Yes it is technically illegal but proving it in court is next to impossible. There are too many ways for them to say you weren't qualified and compare you to another applicant. And while I'm new to cna I know someone who worked in long term care and that shed tell you is that there are so many risks for a center to hire you. You'll be exposed to flu, body fluids, you'll be around patients who are unsteady, the shower room. If you or you're unborn baby get hurt its them on the line because they hired you. It could be their insurance agent even (it happens) is telling them not to hire you because of the potential liability. It

stinks its not right but in the long run you will either find the right pos at a company who will appreciate you and work with you, or you can come back after the baby is born. Cna pos are everywhere, part time full time prn or you might try homehealth that could be good. Good luck