I'm pregnant and starting a new job, do I tell my employer???

[RNTX2002]

Okay, I need a little advice on what is proper. This is such a controversial topic I just don't know which way to go. I just had a great interview in L&D today and pretty much was offered a job within PP. Nurses at this hospital start out on PP and work their way towards L&D. I'm 9 weeks pregnant and did not mention this to the nurse manager interviewing me. Should I have said something in the beginning of the interview about being pregnant or just kept quiet like I did? I don't have any experience in PP so I will be doing about a three month orientation and she said It would be about a year before training in L&D. Also, I meet with the PP nurse manager next week, should I say something then about being pregnant. I guess I'm afraid to say anything for the fear of not getting hired because they will train me and then I will be gone for maternity leave. I have the option of 12weeks leave, but am thinking of only taking 8 weeks leave. I am so passionate about working on the OB unit, that I don't want to lose this position because I'm pregnant. Any thoughts would help, Thanks!

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

I would tell the truth. I'm not an employer, but looking at it from their point of view, would you want to hire someone who is withholding information that is pertinent?

steph

What would it be pertinent to ? Even if the NM was not told until the OP was off orientation, that is more than enough time to plan ahead for her maternity leave.

I have BTDT. I was about 9 weeks when I took a new job. I didn't metion it to anyone unless it came up in conversation and about 2 months before I planned to go out on leave I told my NM. I didn't require anything special and I didn't leave them high and dry.

My second time around I still didn't make some big announcement to the NM and she never called me into her office because I was withholding information from her.

[beckinben, CNM]

No advice on whether to tell them now or later (don't think its all that important to be honest). However, you may not be eligible for any leave at the new employer. Many maternity leave policies are only in effect if you've already worked for employer for 1 year. So in that case, you need to tell them and find out if your maternity leave would be covered or would you be at risk of termination for a leave of absence.

This happened to me. I was offered a new grad position in March. I got pregnant after accepting the position, and told them when I actually started in June. They were po'd about the whole thing, and kindly informed me that the company had a policy about allowing people who had worked for less than a year 12 weeks leave without their job being held for them, and that they would be aggresively hiring to replace me ASAP. Needless to say, I didn't return there. Actually, I wouldn't have gone back even if they had held my job for a variety of other reasons, but it made the whole decision easier. My pregnancy and delivery was covered by their insurance, however, for whoever mentioned that earlier. It was not considered a preexisting condition.

Becki

[CEG]

I just wanted to add that in the state I live in pregnancy cannot be considered a pre-existing condition and must be covered. In most states if you have insurance coverage prior to starting your new coverage, nothing can be considered a pre-existing condition. If you do not have insurance prior they can sometimes consider things pre-existing conditions.

Insurance laws vary by state but are generally pretty similar. We did a lot of research prior to our last move. So insurance may not be an issue for you- except if the leave doesn't work out- then you may not be covered if you are not eligible for regular leave.

Another option (that I am fond of) is the stupid phone call. Call up the unit, ask for the NM, give a name that isn't yours, say you are thinking of applying for the job. Ask if the unit is family friendly, what kind of maternity leave is given, etc. That way you get a feel for some stuff but you don't have to look dumb and you haven't spilled the beans. Don't give your exact story though or the NM may figure it out. I use this method a lot :)

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

What would it be pertinent to ? .

Pertinent to trust between an employer and employee.

steph

[pugmum]

Pertinent to trust between an employer and employee.

steph

I agree with Steph on this one. If they want you, they'll hire you, pregnant or not. If they just want a body to fill a spot, you will find out pretty quick...and it may not be a place where you want to work. A unit that respects employees takes pregancies and families in stride.

While you are under no obligation to disclose, when I have interviewed prospective employees, I have always appreciated honesty. The element of trust is an important one.

Whatever you decide, you will pick the right approach for you....congrats on the baby and best of luck to you!

[AggieNurse2B]

I agree with Steph on this one. If they want you, they'll hire you, pregnant or not. If they just want a body to fill a spot, you will find out pretty quick...and it may not be a place where you want to work. A unit that respects employees takes pregancies and families in stride.

While you are under no obligation to disclose, when I have interviewed prospective employees, I have always appreciated honesty. The element of trust is an important one.

Whatever you decide, you will pick the right approach for you....congrats on the baby and best of luck to you!

My thoughts EXACTLY! If they're going to discriminate against you for being pregnant, they're probably going to do other things that are not so desirable in an employer. I got my present job (not a nursing job) while I was 5 months pregnant. I disclosed it, and my boss welcomed me with open arms. I even negotiated for the fully paid 6 weeks/8weeks standard maternity leave and got it. Normally, you wouldn't receive that until you had been employed a year.

[frazkw]

Don't tell. Wait a while and see how things go for a while.

[SmilingBluEyes]

NOTE:

this OP was months ago, by now, I am sure the employer must be aware of this person's condition.

I agree with Steph on this one; honesty is best and it goes both ways.