Pregnancy

Just found your blog and have a question you can post ;)

So I took a job recently and was 6-7 weeks pregnant and didn't reveal it until 13 weeks.

I wonder how that is perceived in the industry from an HR perspective....

I wouldn't ever reveal a pregnancy to anyone other than my doctor and my husband until after 12 weeks. In fact, I waited to tell boss until I was 16 weeks and would have waited longer, but, well, you can't hide it forever.

But, that's not your question. You were newly pregnant when you took the job and didn't reveal it and you feel a little guilty.

Don't.

I don't know how all HR people feel, but I'll tell you this. It is illegal to discrminate against someone because of her pregnancy. Therefore, if they wouldn't hae hired you because of the pregnancy they would have been violating the law. Therefore, you do not have to feel any guilt, as they could not legally consider it anyway.

(This isn't to say that people don't actually consider it, they do. But, legally, they shouldn't.)

I look on pregnancy as a great thing, so congratulations! Keep in mind, though, that you won't be eligible for FMLA, as you won't have been an employee for a year before the baby is born.

For all you other women who are thinking about getting pregnant, I would caution you not to tell your boss until you are at least 12 weeks along. Miscarriage rates are high in the first trimester and you may not want the world to know. Now, if you have severe nausea or other problems you may have to say something, but otherwise, shhh until after week 12.