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Pregnancy and interviewing...

Posted : 6/14/2006 1:44:17 PM

I couldn't be more irritated at this moment... Have to retype everything...

Anyways, I have a problems which I need some advice on.

I work for a property management company called Exclusive Properties. I am the only employee and have been since November of 2004. I am now making only $9 an hour. I do all the work to keep this company going, plus some other work for my boss' other companies.

In December of 2005, I believe, I was given a raise. I had to force this on him or I was going to leave. I was only making $7 an hour to run his company. So after threatening to leave for another property management company, he decided to give me what they were going to give me. Which is $9 an hour. That was great, and I was able to get our car, and move into the three bedroom house.

I need to leave this place. My boss is shady, and runs his business like crap. He just recently , about a month ago, gave me a "promotion" so he says. That was to run this company like it was MY company, meaning no assistance from him. He has yet to mention or give more pay. Then later tells me that the ONLY way for me to make more money is to get more clients on my own. Which mean's solicit owners to manage their properties. To my knowledge, I have never heard of anyone getting a promotion and not getting more pay. Ever. So that right there ticked me off. And sent me searching for another job. Not to mention the not paying payroll taxes for the past year. And having me do things that legally, I'm not supposed to be doing. I do not a have a real estate license, which means I'm not supposed to negotiate rents, moneys, or sign some contracts. Which he has me doing it ALL.

So far, since he mentioned the so called "promotion", he has had me doing all of his work. Right now I'm typing up a 12 page Construction Contract for him, instead of sending fliers, and postcards to solicit some new clients. I need more money to survive, and obviously, that won't be happening here.

So I started looking for a job after the "promotion". Then I found out I was pregnant, but still wanted to get out of this place. My app was accepted for Shasta County administrative clerk. I just want to get my foot in the door at the county because they have awesome benefits, and start out on good pay. Which right now I don't have neither. Bad pay, and absolutely no benefits. Except for a weeks paid vacation once a year.

Problems... The interview is on Friday, and I'm not sure what to do. Tell them I'm pregnant and risk them not accepting me because of my need for medical leave in about 6 months? Or not tell them, and have them be a little pissed when they find out that I am, and the fact that I didn't mention it before I was hired? I read some stuff online, and it said that legally no one can NOT hire you because you're pregnant, but telling them will give them the opportunity to find another reason not to hire you. I'm lost, do I tell them at the interview? Or do I suck it in, and hide it until I'm hired?

Help?!

RileysMommy

Posted : 6/14/2006 1:58:49 PM

This is a very tricky situation to say the least. I work for a large firm and I work directly for the head of human resources. The problem is this ... personally you don't have to tell them and then can't really ask you because if they denied you it could be considered discrimination. Also if you start with their medical, it is a 3-month wait to have coverage start, then most medical institutions will not accept any pre-existing conditions ... which would preclude them from covering your pregnancy. They don't have to cover anything related to doctor or hospital bills. Just some of my random thoughts. I would probably tell them up front and run the risk of not getting the job. If they let me have the job then it was meant to be (in my eyes).

I hope this works out for you.

cakana

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:29:27 PM

Shannon - I think the absolute best thing you can do is get on with the government. I work for a charter school now, so it's county, but before that I worked for the state. The benefits are great, pays almost always better, vacation, etc., etc. Any benefits with the goverment will usually kick in right away too and I've never heard of anyone being denied for pre-existing condition with a government offered medical/dental plan. So....the real issue is more of a moral one. For me personally, I'd need to know more. How much time are you planning to take off? If it's only 6 weeks, most places (especially government) have enough staff to handle the extra work. If you plan to take off longer and/or it's sort of a 1 or 2 person type of office, that could create some bad feelings. I'm not sure how it is where you live, but here in Sacto, government jobs are tough to get, so a) you might not get it anyway, but b) if you say you're pregnant and going to need to take time off in the next several months, you likely won't get offered the job. I think employers (and I have to say I was guilty of this too when sitting on interview panels) tend to think "uh oh, new baby = lot's of time off for Dr. appts, illness, etc. I know that stinks but in a competitive environment, it just becomes one of the factors used. Anyway, I wish you luck cause I think it'd be an awesome opportunity!

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 6/14/2006 9:11:13 PM

ORIGINAL: hlb118

To my knowledge, I have never heard of anyone getting a promotion and not getting more pay. Ever. So that right there ticked me off. And sent me searching for another job.

not sure about others experiences but this happens alot. at least it does around here. and it does tick me off and i have left jobs without even having any prospects of another job because of situations like this. not that i am advocating that you do that.

i think rileysmommy offered some sound advice in reference to the insurance situation. my brother's wife is pregnant, and hates her job, but she feels pretty much stuck at least until the baby is born.

i feel for you because i know what it is like to stick out a job you hate even for a short amount of time. good lick with whatever you decide.

willowchow

Posted : 6/14/2006 10:29:00 PM

I don't know, if it was me, I'd go to the first interview and not say anything. But, if they called me back for a second interview and were really interested in me I'd probably let them know at that time. I don't think I'd just go in and right off tell them. At this point, it's just a first interview, not really their business right now.

hlb118

Posted : 6/15/2006 1:16:40 PM

Well the interview is tomorrow morning, so I'm just going to dress up, and not say anything. I'm not showing too much yet. Only about 10 or 11 weeks along.

I had a long talk with my mother, then she talked with her mother, and got back to me. Her advice was to go in and do the interview as normal, and not say anything. But, if they ask, tell them. It's going to be hard, but I think I can hide it for a couple of weeks.

cakana

Posted : 6/15/2006 3:02:24 PM

Good luck Shannon. Legally, I don't think they can ask if you're pregnant, so don't worry about that. I hope it goes well. Interviews can be so stressful but just remember - you're the best person for the job!!

fizzlbriches

Posted : 6/15/2006 4:46:59 PM

although legally they can not ask if you are pregnant, sometime people do.......it just opens the door for you to file a discrimination claim. Good luck with the interview......I am also searching for a job so I know how much of a pain it is.

hlb118

Posted : 6/15/2006 4:58:42 PM

Funny thing is... I sit at WORK and look for a job. Like right now. Even though I have that interview tomorrow, doesn't mean I'll get the job. So I'll have to put a couple apps in elsewhere and just hope that one good one pops up.

probe1957

Posted : 6/16/2006 9:33:11 AM

I have worked in management for YEARS and have NEVER asked an applicant if she was pregnant. I doubt you will be asked. However, if a woman applicant told me she was pregnant, I probably wouldn't hire her. I wouldn't be filling the position if I didn't need someone in it and, if that person is on maternity leave, they aren't doing me much good.

Do you handle payroll for your company? I mean, your boss told you to run it like it's yours so why not give yourself a $3.00 an hour raise?

tashakota

Posted : 6/16/2006 10:18:51 AM

Nice idea Billy!!! You're so smart. [

]

Shannon, yes they can NOT ask you if you are pregnant or anything about your personal life. If they do, change the subject, ask them a question. I know this is probably too late anyway, but most insurance companies will cover a pre-existing condition if you haven't been treated for it in the last 6 months. And they only know that if it's paid for by insurance. And I find it really difficult to believe they would treat pregnancy that way, but I don't work in HR.

I hope it went well!!!