New grad, pregnant, job offer?

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I am a new grad who interviewed for a position on a surgical floor in May and got the job offer which I accepted. I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant and visibly showing. I did not disclose that I was pregnant, it was not until my health screening that I was given a paper to for my midwife to fill out to clear me for restrictions. I'm supposed to be starting the job next week, so I called my manager today to find out about my schedule. She didn't sound so excited to hear from me and told me that she doesn't have a schedule for me yet but she did receive my doctor's letter regarding my pregnancy and weight restrictions, and how she'd never heard of that and has had pregnant women work on her floor until their due date. She ended the call by telling me to get this settled with my doctor and occupational health instead of calling her because 'this just doesn't look good'. I called occupational health who told me that the letter states that I am not to lift over 25 lbs. Then, I called my doctor about the letter who told me that it is a pregnancy standard which he writes for all of his patients. Finally, I called HR to inform them of everything that is going on who told me that they understood the weight restriction and that she would speak to occupational health and give me a call back.

My question is, are they more likely to cancel the job offer now? I feel that if they do it's probably because of my pregnancy due to the reaction I received when I spoke to the manager, but it will be explained to me as being due to my weight restriction. I really want to start working before the baby comes, what options do I have as a pregnant new grad?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Well they can't fire you for being pregnant but if you work in an "at will" state they don't have to have a reason. I figure it will be difficult to find a job while pregnant because they know you will have restrictions & then will be out.

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My question is, are they more likely to cancel the job offer now? I feel that if they do it's probably because of my pregnancy due to the reaction I received when I spoke to the manager, but it will be explained to me as being due to my weight restriction. I really want to start working before the baby comes, what options do I have as a pregnant new grad?

I would assume that it does have more to do with the weight/lift restriction. Nurses get pregnant all the time, but when someone gets put on any type of work restriction, they're off the schedule until they're cleared. Of course, laws and hospital policies vary. This may not be the case everywhere.

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New grad with weight restrictions? I can't say that I would be receptive to that as a manager or coworker but I don't know the regulations re hiring commitment.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Congratulations on the baby!

I was pregnant when I was hired; my OB/GYN office defaulted to a 25lb lifting restriction. My manager told me they couldn't reasonably accommodate that restriction.

So I called the office and told them they needed to fax "NO lifting restrictions" to EOHW. I was low risk, and lifted my >50lb kids all the time. It worked, and I kept my new job.

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Thank you, I will contact my midwife and ask the same.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

My guess is she is not happy that you were not up front with her and gor this note without you speaking to her. Personally, I have never heard of a lift restriction unless you have a high risk pregnancy. What if you had a 25 lb kiddo at home? Many many people work right up to when they deliver without restriction. That being said, most co-workers are more than willing to help out a pregnant co-worker.

I think you are just starting off on the wrong foot. Hope things look up. And she may have been looking ahead at scheduling for the fall and holidays, so now she has someone on orientation for 10-12 weeks, working for 6 weeks and then on leave for 6 weeks. Most

managers know girls get pregnant, but she probably feels blindsided and frustrated about having to put off scheduling you until you are cleared.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

My employer will state they don't allow restrictions. If you are an existing employee, and they like you, they may let you work a desk job if that is needed, otherwise, you're out on leave until no restrictions.

I think it's hideous, but this is the spirit of our ultra-pro business country. And my employer is a decent for what's out there.

Just to let you know, intolerance for restrictions is not uncommon.

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It may honestly be about the lifting restriction. I had restrictions after an injury at work and they would not let me return; if you cannot do all the work, you don't get to do any work. It may also be a tricky situation trying to get leave when the baby comes, because you won't qualify for FMLA.

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It may honestly be about the lifting restriction. I had restrictions after an injury at work and they would not let me return; if you cannot do all the work, you don't get to do any work. It may also be a tricky situation trying to get leave when the baby comes, because you won't qualify for FMLA.

I second all of this! It will be important that you figure out ahead of time how you're going to handle the time immediately following pregnancy, since you won't qualify for maternity leave. That would be a much bigger concern if I were in your shoes.

I believe that it would be illegal for you to be fired specifically because of your pregnancy. However, your hospital may have a probation period for new employees (i.e. 90 days) during which it is much easier for them to fire you over relatively minor issues, which they could blame...

I'm sorry that you're in such a difficult position your first year out.

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It may honestly be about the lifting restriction. I had restrictions after an injury at work and they would not let me return; if you cannot do all the work, you don't get to do any work. It may also be a tricky situation trying to get leave when the baby comes, because you won't qualify for FMLA.

I second all of this! It will be important that you figure out ahead of time how you're going to handle the time immediately following pregnancy, since you won't qualify for maternity leave. That would be a much bigger concern if I were in your shoes.

I believe that it would be illegal for you to be fired specifically because of your pregnancy. However, your hospital may have a probation period for new employees (i.e. 90 days) during which it is much easier for them to fire you over relatively minor issues, which they could blame...

I'm sorry that I don't have a more reassuring answer. Best of luck to you!

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