Changing jobs and pregnancy

ddunne23 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:02 AM

Changing jobs and pregnancy

For all you BTDT moms and soon-to be moms I really need some advice on my job situation. Heres the deal: I'm misreable where I am at right now, and have a feeling the company is going down. In the past two days I have received calls for interviews from three different jobs I applied for and I think would be great opportunities, possible with a highly recognized national company. This is not saying I will definately get the jobs, but you never know. So my question is did anyone change jobs right before getting pregnant or very early on. I do plan to work after we have a child simply because I have to. So is it extremely unprofessional to pursue possible new opportunities knowing your plans for a family.

PS.. I suppose it helps to tell you I saw two pink lines this morning!!!

jennbaby Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:03 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

OMG Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am also sending you FM!

ddunne23 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:05 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Thanks Jenn! I'm in a total shock..good shock. I had to tell someone today!

jennbaby Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:06 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

What a nice V-Day surprise!!!!

MarcellaBella Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:08 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congratulations!!!!

JennRenee Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:09 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congratulations!!

Sage10.03 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:09 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

alina Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:22 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

congratulation!!!

To answer your question, I would either sit tight and look for a new job after maternity leave (without coming back to the old one) or I would be upfront at the interviews...

dawnie Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:25 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congratulations!!

karen32 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:27 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

congrats!!!!

i think before you make a definite switch, you should look into the new company's benefit programs. some companies will not cover pregnancy costs (checkups, tests) and maternity leave unless you have been with the company a year.

we had a BIG problem when a certain accounting firm collapsed and we took a lot of their employees - a lot of their coverage didn't kick in until 1 year of service - which sucked for them - because most of them had been with the other firm for years. one of the managers was preggo when she came over, and our firm refused to grant her any paid maternity leave since she only had 3 months service.

Stacey1403 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:27 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congrats!!!!!

Marcela1654 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:29 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

CONGRATS

Shamee Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:35 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congrats!! That is awesome!!

ddunne23 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:37 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Karen, your points are the major reasons I am hesitate. Right now at my company I will get 4 weeks at 100% of my salary and 8 weeks at 80%. Not sure how other companies out there work. On the insurance front, I am on my husbands so that will not be affected. I am mostly worried about my disability insurance kicking in.

Jeanene Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:41 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congrats!!! That is wonderful news!

As for the job situation - this is a toughie. It really stinks that pregnancy puts your career on hold. I am in the same boat. I don't like my job plus the two hour commute kills me - I won't be coming back after the baby is born. So I will have to look after the baby is born - I wish I could look now - but I don't think it is realistic that a firm would hire me knowing I am pregnant.

At my last company, I hired a woman and two months later she told me she was 4 months pregnant. I did not have a problem with this - she was a great worker. But my bosses had a big problem with it (they felt decieved) and my bosses tried to terminate her during her pregnancy leave. She had to threaten to sue to keep her job.

I wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy!!

HearzBellz Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:45 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Congrats!

Wow, that is a lot to deal with at once.

I guess you need to use your own judgement. Every industry is different, so I cannot know the boundds of your own business, but I do know of a couple of women who changed their jobs right before or just as they became PG. They all still have their jobs, but it was an extra stress for them.

jenny11.9 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:49 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

oh my goodness congratulations! let me know your EDD so you can added to our list!

On the job front - I am super cautious. i would stick it out where you are for now. That's just me though, I tend to be too conservative sometimes. Otherwise, maybe interview with the other firms and just be totally up front with them.

ILT1221 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 11:53 AM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

I would also advise you to stick it out in your current job. 9 months goes by fast. I know someone who changed jobs and about 3 months into it revealed she was pregnant. Well 2 weeks later they fired her and told her they were 'downsizing.'

ETA: Congratulations!!!!!!!!

ddunne23 Posted: Feb 13, 2004 12:04 PM

Re: Changing jobs and pregnancy

Thanks ladies! The more I think about it the most it makes sense to just stick it out where I am. I have the freedom to do what I want, have nobody micro-managing me and am confindent that the only reactions I will get when I tell everyone is one of congrats, and joy. I need to just look beyond the fact that I do not like the job, yet I'm ok with the workplace. Plus, my boss just came back from maternity leave, so she owes me big!

Thanks for the well wishes. This is all very new for me so I haven't even called the dr. yet. But I'll be sure to keep you posted on the progress.