Finding a new job/switching jobs while pregnant?

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

So the long story short is I hate my job and I'm at my witts end. I called the recruiter I worked with a long time and found out she's no longer working with the company I went through. So I left a message for her replacement to call me this afternoon.

I want out of this job ASAP.

So my question is, have you ever looked/started a new job while pregnant? I know there are FLMA laws that state they can't fire or discriminate against me for being pregnant. Luckily I don't "look" pregnant now, but with the way I've been growing I'll be showing before you know it and I"m just scared that if they found out before my 90 probation period they might let me go.

Ideas?

 

[felinity]

Be sure to research the FMLA requirements for leave. I don't know the details of them; be sure that there are no time restrictions (like size of company or how long you've been working for it) to being able to take time off to be with your baby.

ETA: Okay, I looked it up. In order to be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid leave, you must have been employed for 1 year with your current employer, and your company must have at least 50 employees. Here's a site that explains all the rules: http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Dangit... so if I changed jobs I couldn't get 12 weeks of unpaid leave when I have the baby? Wow That's even worse.

 

[MyaShane]

I changed jobs when pregnant. I was very upfront with them in the interview because I didn't want to be accused of anything later. I only got 6 weeks off, but I guess I figured that was just that sucky company sucking, but maybe that is standard across the board?
I would definitely ask when you're interviewing, you never know. I really think the company I'm with now would give me 12 weeks even if I was here less than a year, they're pretty lenient like that.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

What about a C-Section? Surely they would have to give you time off if you had a C-S? I mean that's major surgery

 

[MyaShane]

What about a C-Section? Surely they would have to give you time off if you had a C-S? I mean that's major surgery

I would think so, too, but I don't have the answer for you. I would be open with them about your situation while you're interviewing and make sure you get all these questions asked and their responses in writing before you take a new job.

With my 2nd daughter, I was with my current company only 10 months when I went on maternity leave and she was a c-section. I was given 8 weeks at 100% pay and could have taken the extra 4 at 60%, but I needed to go back to work for the extra $ at that point in our lives. So, it can vary from company to company.

 

[lovesdolphins]

most companies give 8 weeks for a c-section, and 6 for 'regular' birth.

With the privacies laws the way they are - you do not have to state that you are pregnant at all.

 

[felinity]

I would be so, so careful in taking a risk like that. Contact your state's employment/workforce commission if you can, and find out what the regulations are before you go quitting your current job.

 

[3girls2dogs]

most companies give 8 weeks for a c-section, and 6 for 'regular' birth.

With the privacies laws the way they are - you do not have to state that you are pregnant at all.

Maybe not, but being dishonest about such a big thing in the beginning of one's tenure with a new company can have major effects on their future with said company. While you don't have to disclose that you are pregnant, if I were the boss that was deceived over such a big thing, I would be very unhappy and looking for other reasons to let that person go later on. I wouldn't want someone I couldn't trust working for me.

That being said, many companies are really great about this kind of thing in this day and age. If you are up front in the beginning, you may be surprised at how willing they are to work with you.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

It's either find a new job, or spend the next 7 months stressed out so bad (my hair is already falling out) and bawling at my desk daily.

 

[3girls2dogs]

It's either find a new job, or spend the next 7 months stressed out so bad (my hair is already falling out) and bawling at my desk daily.

I completely understand. Trust me. When I was pregnant with Taylor, the job I had was awful, and the people there were awful. I feel for you so much. I am sure you will be able to find another job. I have faith. I was just saying that I thought it would be better if you were honest at the beginning about being pregnant.



I'm so sorry you are going through such a tough time. It is never good to be so stressed when you are pregnant. You can PM or IM me anytime to vent if you want.

 

[heart of peace]

It's either find a new job, or spend the next 7 months stressed out so bad (my hair is already falling out) and bawling at my desk daily.

I am so sorry to hear how upset you are. I remember a time in my life where I was crying so much because of my job (on the train ride in, during breaks in the bathroom, on the train ride home). I woke up with panic attacks. It was so difficult and for you to be experiencing that while pregnant, it must be so painful.

You are in my prayers, SOFTB. Could you get them to fire you? I know that this sounds ridiculous but at least you can collect unemployment while looking for another job. That is what finally happened to me (they found out I was looking for to change careers by reading my emails and they fired me). It was exactly what I needed to get my bearings together while I figured out how to change career fields.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I would be more than happy if they fired/laid me off, I just have no idea how to go about doing it.

 

[heart of peace]

Well, I read that they are annoyed by the docs appt times. Don't accomodate them. Basically, go out of your way to be a "headache" to them while not breaking any "rules" of your job position. At the same time, look for work elsewhere. This way you are doing exactly what you need to do without inconveniencing yourself, while looking for new work and they are the ones who have to deal with the stress instead of you. Eventually, they may just decide it is too much trouble and let you go or you will find a new position elsewhere. Either way, you don't have to allow the stress to rest on your shoulders.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Yeah that's the thing... they don't jsut fire people... I mean they keep people around who should have been fired LONG ago- they would much rather pull you into their office and give you a hard time.

I'll just keep praying and doing what I've been doing. Maybe GOd still creates miracles?

 

[heart of peace]

Well, while looking for new work, what would you need your work situation to be in order to allow the least amount of stress to affect you?