8 months pregant starting new job

[Guest393655]

I am a 2008 grad and could not find work until May 2009 and it was in a nursing home. I got pregnant and now at 27 weeks I got a call from my 1st choice hospital and was hired on the spot for an ICU position. I am so excited, however stressing because I am carrying small and the recruiter and unit manager did not even notice I am 7 months along. I know with the competition out there if I said something they would find some other reason to go with another candidate so I said nothing. I plan to tell HR about the pregnancy after I sign my official hire paperwork.

I am due to start orientation 2/4/10 and by then I will be 31 weeks. I know they can't discriminate but by then I will of had to quit my nursing home job and be COBRAing benefits. We can't afford to do that for long. I am afraid this hosiptal will tell me they have to wait to hire me and then I will be unemployed until some other RN position opens up, or that they will let me go because I am due 4/4/10 and will have only worked there 8 weeks or so before I ask for time off. Orientation/classroom training is 6 weeks so by my due date I will still be in training but out working with a preceptor RN. I don't even want to think about what will happen if the baby comes early while I am in class.

Can they legally fire me for taking off so soon? It is a government and union position so do you think they will then grant me a few weeks non-paid time off in fear of a discrimination suit? I also feel so guilty like I lied to the unit manager and HR by not saying anything and don't want to start out on the wrong foot making anyone angry. I am freaking out about this because I want this job so badly but also want time to recover from delivery and bond with my son (1st baby).

Sorry about the typo in heading. website won't let me go back and edit my spelling error in the title.

[cardiacmadeline, RN]

I do understand you want this job and with the job market like it is, that you don't want to jeopardize anything. But you plan on signing your paperwork with HR and then saying, oh by the way, I am 8 months pregnant and will need time off in 1 month? If I was the unit director, I would seriously be questioning your honesty and integrity.

[Charmander]

Congrats on both the baby and the sweet new job! Check on the FMLA regulations for your state and hospital. Sometimes you have to have worked for the hospital for a year before you qualify for FMLA (the holding of your position for a period of time while you have family issues). Short term disability, maternity leave and all that is important to get figured out too. It's a lot... and was somewhat confusing for me when I did it. I was just a few weeks short of qualifying for FMLA, but my manager held my spot for me (it would have been more difficult to hire and train someone new for my position). Remember too that your not the first nurse to have a baby, there are policies (most likely... ) and people to help you out.

Good luck!!

[bulldog01]

If they didn't notice - shame on them. Also, even if they did notice, they are not allowed to ask unless you bring it up first. Unfortunately, whether you talked about it or not, usually in a union environment they don't have to hold your position. Good luck with both the baby and hopefully understanding unit manager.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

the best thing to do is be up-front about it and contact HR. This shows maturity, responsibility and accountability. Otherwise, they may drop you without much cause during orientation and you would not be eligible for re-hire.

[Blackheartednurse]

I would tell them the truth...Orientation takes longer than one month...unless your NOT planning to take some time off...Realistically,not to sound harsh but you knew that you are a new grad,so why get preganant so quick,if it was an accident (as they do happend) then it is understandable,other than that I must admit that I dont understand why people get pregnant and do not protect themselves knowing they are new grads and all--first year working as RN is very important,it is a time to focus on developing your skills,assesments and nursing judgement,often you cannot have your cake and eat it too at the same time...I'm a new nurse and I'm not planning to get pregnant for another year since I know it would complicate and jeoperdize my nursing career at some point..and if accident happens I'm willing to take consquences but not by the price of others.

I understand that the job market is insane these days but everyone makes sacrifices in order to land a job.Like in my instance I have to move 300 miles away from everything I know so I can finally start working as a RN.

But would it be fair to the company if I decided to fly away just after 6 months of training?

Ps.Why would you expect ANY company to pay you for some time off if you are not planning to even finish an orientation with them? Big red flag to me.

[krimicrat]

By law they can not discriminate against you for this. You will not be covered by FMLA b/c you will not have worked there for one year prior to your needed time off. This meas your job may not be protected for leaving. You are still protected under Title VII's Pregnancy Discrimination Act though (see http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-preg.html).

Even still, you I would get a copy of your HR rules, look at what they ask and comply as long as they are not breaking the law. I would also talk to your union and ask for guidance as well.

Do not apologize for this situation. Women have babies, big deal. Get over it employers! As professionals, they should know that women have babies, and this is not some shock. I think the fact that you are in a union and working at a government facility protects you even more. I was 4 months pregnant when I began a new job at a federal agency. They didn't even blink. Professionals know the law and will follow it without hesitation. Anyone who tries to cause you problems or complains is uneducated and needs to step into the new age.

That being said - I would not suggest that you take an extended leave. I'd suggest the standard 6 or 8 week maternity leave, depending on the type of delivery you have.

BTW, I am a business lawyer turned nursing student, who focuses on employment and HR law. Good luck!

ETA: you may (MAY) even get paid for the time off if one of your benefits is short term disability coverage. So while you may not get paid under FMLA, your short term disability may pay part of your salary.

[alem-tsahai]

Puppyluv265,

You've already started on the wrong foot with management by not being honest about your advanced pregnancy status, so that is one less worry for you.

If you take the hospital job most likely you will get unpaid medical leave- is leaving your NH job really worth going a couple months without pay at all? And what if you have to take off more time than intended, can you afford that?

Congratulations on the pregnancy, but in all honesty I don't think you can "have your cake and eat it too" in this situation. I think the timing of the hospital job offer is not in your best interest, assuming that having a healthy delivery and bonding with your baby is more important to you than working in an ICU.

Yes the economy is bad out there, but you are currently employed girl!!! There are plenty of new grads out there right now who would kill for your NURSING HOME job. Count your blessings and stop putting up roadblocks to them.

Best of luck and congrats again! Having a baby is a life-changing experience.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Oh boy, this will never work. If they feel tricked they will find a way to get rid of you....

Call the manager and fess up and maybe they will still consider you after you deliver.....

[leslie :-D]

here are a couple of links...

for info, reinforcement and hopefully, comfort.

congrats to you and yours!:balloons:

Job Seeking And Pregnant

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/job-seeking-and-pregnant.html

Pregnancy and Employment

http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/womensresources/a/pregnant.htm

leslie

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

IS there any way you can postpone starting there until after the baby comes and you are ready to work again? It seems like it would be difficult to do 5 weeks orientation, then take 6-8 weeks (that just wasn't enough time for me to take off, but everyone is different!) to recover and then start? I would call them to see what your options are. It just seems like so much stress to take on all at the same time.. It almost seems like a good idea to just stay at the nursing home until delivery.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Check on the FMLA regulations for your state and hospital. Sometimes you have to have worked for the hospital for a year before you qualify for FMLA (the holding of your position for a period of time while you have family issues).

One year of employment with the current employer is an absolute requirement for FMLA. The policies of the state and the employer do not matter. See the following for FMLA requirements:

http://fmlaonline.com/