When is the best time to tell the employer that you are pregnant?

workingharder · Feb 21, 2012

When they start suggesting different diets.

suanna · Feb 21, 2012

When the contractions are 3 minutes apart and there is a puddle of amniotic fluid on your white shoes.

AnonRNC · Feb 21, 2012

If possible, after you're hired, after you've completed orientation and before the baby makes its appearance.

Good Morning, Gil · Feb 21, 2012

How far along are you? I mean....legally, they can't discriminate against you, but we all know it happens. They will just pick another person that's not pregnant if given the choice. But, not necessarily...if you're the better candidate, they'll pick you anyway (if it's anybody worth working for). (They don't like to hire pregnant people because some people don't come back after maternity leave; it's understandable, wanting time with family and all, but from the employer's perspective, not worth the risk). It's a female-dominated profession, though, so lots of pregnant people, on the other hand. Personally, I wouldn't say anything until after I was hired and began working maybe a couple of months or so (so they could see that I was worth hiring, good nurse, etc, and they already invested time into me, not going to let me go now :)). I wouldn't want to do that b/c I like being completely honest all of the time, but if you really need the job, then it's better to mention it once you start working. Definitely need to say something when you start, though, so that they can plan staffing for when you're on leave...which how will that work? You don't get maternity leave for 1 year once you start working, so I wonder what employers do in your case.

iCare24 · Feb 21, 2012

Thanks Gil, you had some good points. I am 9 weeks pregnant.. I think I will just tell it to them once I start working.. I really need a job to make a better future for this kid. xD Thanks for all your opinions!!

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2012

I'd bring it up after you are hired, esp in the first trimesters, there are things you have to becareful of. You won't qualify for FMLA, so most likely you will be given 6-8 weeks leave after the baby is born. At least you should be done with your orientation when you deliver, that is a plus.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2012

just before you have to start wearing those stretchy-front pants.

Perpetual Student · Feb 22, 2012

The difference in responses to roughly the same question on this site and on a mostly male forum I read are quite interesting. The consensus on that site was that you should be upfront about it, even if it means you don't get the job, unless you're really desperate for work. Particularly if you're someone who's going to require extensive orientation (e.g. a new grad or person changing specialties as an RN). This may not be the most popular opinion, but I think there is certainly some truth in it.

By the time you'd be off orientation as a new grad (which I'm betting you are based upon your stated age) it'd probably be about time to stop working, meaning you'd take time off and then come back, and be at best minimally competent at that point. If you don't have a supportive employer (which I wager you're much more likely to have if they chose to hire you knowing you were pregnant), you'll be let go during your probationary period for some performance issue that they can document. Your manager may feel deceived and betrayed, which would not bode well for your long term success in that institution.

Ultimately, it is a decision you need to weigh based upon your short term and long term needs and goals. There is no universal right answer. Either way you're going to face some significant challenges.

Fiona59 · Feb 22, 2012

We have a years maternity leave in Canada and a job has to be held for you to return to (doesn't have to be the job you left but the same size position and in the same service)

Having said that, I've had more than one manager swear that they were only hiring males or menopausal women after getting "guess what I'm pregant" from new hires. Orientation and getting comfortable in the job and then gone for a year to come back and get another orientation period.

ChuckeRN, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2012

Hopefully, the right time is NOT while you are trying to conceive in the breakroom during your lunch.