Looking for a new job is often stressful. With a baby on the way, the stakes are even higher. When you interview for a job, you may wonder whether it is best to be honest about your situation or keep the information to yourself.
If your pregnancy is not yet outwardly obvious, you may choose not to mention it in the interview.
You do not have to bring it up
When it comes to divulging information about your pregnancy to a prospective employer, professional opinions vary. Some feel that being honest from the start is beneficial to your professional relationship. However, there is no law requiring you to inform a potential employer that you are pregnant.
Proving pregnancy discrimination can be difficult
A prospective employer can not reject an applicant just for being pregnant. Pregnancy discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.
If you suspect a prospective employer of pregnancy discrimination, you will have an easier time proving it if you can demonstrate that the employer knew about your pregnancy. For this reason, you might choose to discuss your pregnancy in the interview if it is beginning to show.
Honesty is not always the best policy
Keeping your pregnancy a secret during the interview may feel like deception, but safeguarding this personal information can help protect you from discrimination. Contrary to popular belief, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it is not illegal for a prospective employer to ask if you are pregnant, but you do not have to disclose it even if asked directly.
When and how to divulge your pregnancy to a potential employer is a complex decision. Consider the pros and cons before deciding how to proceed.