DH and I will be TTC sometime in 2004, but I am also looking for a new job...I know it has been posted before about questions employers cannot ask you...
does anyone know if they can ask you if you are planning to have children? and what would you say to that?
Wendy
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Re: PG and work politics...
Legally a perspective employer may not ask you if you have or are planning to have children. They are not allowed to ask you any personal questions regarding family. I used to interview and hire people for my department and I had to go through a training seminar regarding appropriate and allowable questions. However I know that a lot of employers do it anyway. I think that you have to be very careful in how you answer if the question is asked. I don't know what the right answer is though. I know there are some HR people here so perhaps they have a better answer for you.
karen32
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Re: PG and work politics...
i don't believe that legally they can ask you about your children or plans for children, but there are ways around it. for instance, one of my old bosses would always scour the resumes we got from female candidates looking for 'gaps' in employment - that normally alluded to having children and taking some time off. so even if they don't come out and ask 'do you have kids', they can sometimes get around it.
Kaycee0921
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Re: PG and work politics...
I used to work in HR - Everyone else is correct, a prospective employer may not ask you about your marital status, children, plans for children, etc. However, there are questions such as 'Is there anything precluding your availability for overtime?' or 'Are you able to travel on short notice for the position?' 'How do you see your postion within the company in x amount of years?' that are used to suss out a candidates personal life.
I worked for a European investment bank and had a very difficult time explaining these laws to the expatriate managers, as Euro laws are much different. Many did ask questions they shouldn't have, as I would find out from the employment agencies, and most candidates would answer - although one told the manager the question was illegal and she was offended he would ask! I wanted to hire her just on that but...
All you can really do is express your interest in the position and your ability to get the job done. At the end of the day - that's what most managers really care about - what they don't want to hear is questions on maternity leave and family sick policy during an interview (I had that as well!) When they make an offer, the benefit package and employment policies should be part of the entire offer.
Good Luck!
Edited to say that if someone does ask your plans for family, etc. and you feel compelled to answer (which if they do ask, you may want to reconsider working for the company anyway) a simple answer of 'That isn't something I have decided' or 'I don't see how that is relevant to the position' may work.
alina
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Re: PG and work politics...
yabbo, they're not allowed to ask you that. But some places have you wait up to a year before maternity leave kicks in (mine is an example).
If they ask, and you don't want to be confrontational, you can say that you're not sure when what etc... This way you didn't say yay or nay, but no 'its illegal to ask you' statement.
Valenia
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Re: PG and work politics...
I wouldn't be confrontational. What I read, and seems like a good response to me, was something along the lines of, 'I do not allow my personal life to interfere with my professional responsibilities.' It is not directly answer the question, but addresses the concern of the person asking.
Cira
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Re: PG and work politics...
Kaycee explained it very well! I wish you luck, Erica, on your job hunt!!!
michele31
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Re: PG and work politics...
Erica- don't even discuss it with anyone or mention that 'I just got married last year'. I highly doubt that they would ask you. Plus you are in education so there isn't as much overtime or travel as in a big banking company. I am sure it should be fine.
Jeanene
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Re: PG and work politics...
I am very interested in this question as well as I am looking for a new job and TTC.
One additional question, I have heard that with FMLA and many company policies, maternity benefits do not kick in until you have been with the company for a year - how does this affect one's job security?
Wendy
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Re: PG and work politics...
In order to be eligible for FMLA protection you have to have worked at least 1200 hours in the last year for your employer..at least I think it is 1200.Maybe it's more, I know it's not less. You have to have been there for at least a year for your position to be protected. As for maternity benefits, it depends on your individual employer.
Kaycee0921
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Re: PG and work politics...
FMLA requires 12 months service AND 1250 hours within the previous 12 months in order to be eligible.
