What Would ML Do?

[iamgrace]

I wouldn't.

[vanillacourage]

This exact same thing happened to me. 

Interviewed & was offered the job at 10w.  Waited until I had a final (post-negotiation) offer in writing, then called prospective boss and told him I wanted to take it, but would need X weeks of maternity leave, beginning approximately Y date, in order to do so.  He said that he appreciated my honesty and it was fine.  When I accepted, I replied back to the emailed offer that I was thrilled to accept "with the mutual understanding of an anticipated maternity leave of X weeks" so that it was all in writing. 

I asked for 10w and ended up taking 12.  I qualified for FMLA at the job I was leaving so them denying a leave, or granting one of only 6w or whatever, would have been a dealbreaker. 

[iamgrace]

Nov 11, 2013 13:00:08 GMT -5 c7 said:

Corollary: would the fact that you're KTFU influence your decision whether to take a new job or not?

If it doesn't impact my ability to take maternity leave, I would not hesitate to accept a new job while pg. 

[lime]

Vanilla handled this exactly right. Don't tell them until you have an offer.

[sonrisa]

Nov 11, 2013 13:00:08 GMT -5 c7 said:

Corollary: would the fact that you're KTFU influence your decision whether to take a new job or not?

Yes. I would not change jobs while pregnant because I would not want to lose my FMLA rights.

[vanillacourage]

Nov 11, 2013 13:03:41 GMT -5 c7 said:

Yeah, I thought mentioning the pregnancy would be a bad idea.

She wants to be "up front" with them and not snowball them 8 months into a new job. I said this is bad strategy.

I see where she's coming from, but she should wait until she has the offer (in writing!).  It's still plenty honest, but far less risk.  When their candidate pool is still large-ish, you don't want anything to knock you out.  Wait until they've chosen you as their final candidate and are getting excited about all the great things you'll bring to the team. 

My boss even told me that maternity leaves SEEM like a big deal (and of course they're important) but 10 or even 12w of me being out was nothing compared to the value I'd bring the organization over the course of the years I'd (hopefully) be employed there.

[iamgrace]

Nov 11, 2013 13:04:13 GMT -5 c7 said:

Nov 11, 2013 13:02:57 GMT -5 iamgrace said:

If it doesn't impact my ability to take maternity leave, I would not hesitate to accept a new job while pg. 

How would you research that without asking the question directly?

Well, in my case there are pretty clear labour laws in my province. I would find out what my rights were in the particular place our friend lives. Also, if it's a job with a larger business, HR stuff may be google-able. 

[vanillacourage]

Nov 11, 2013 13:19:10 GMT -5 c7 said:

Wait so I just found out more information about the new opportunity. It's a temporary position with the possibility of transitioning to a permanent role. They are looking for someone to cover for someone who is going out on leave. But there is a possibility of transitioning to a permanent role in a few months since the group is so busy.

Now I don't know what to say.

If she knows for sure that she'll deliver before this other person returns back to work, I would probably not even mess with applying. 

If she'll be able to fulfill the requirements of the position as posted, then I still would. 

[ax2]

Nov 11, 2013 12:53:24 GMT -5 c7 said:

So she would be giving up a permanent job for this temp position? Or she's unemployed now?

I wouldn't give up a perm job for a temp job while pg, I don't think, unless it was the job of the century and I could afford to be a sahm.

[vanillacourage]

Nov 11, 2013 13:35:57 GMT -5 c7 said:

vanillacourage Given the new facts, would you recommend that she negotiate mat leave if/when she is offered the permanent position?

After thinking this all the way through and now knowing that the position could be as short as 3 months, I think I would not apply after all.  Getting far enough in the hiring process to have a formal offer extended to you carries risks for your current job (background and reference checks, etc).  I think it's unlikely that they will offer her the permanent position right away - they probably want to use the temp term as a trial run and make sure they have the right person.  In the meantime, she'll have lost her other job, at a very vulnerable time.

I would, however, email the hiring manager with my resume and say that I'm very interested in opportunities at the company and while I can't take on a temp role, if more permanent positions become available to please keep me in mind.