PepsiChic

I got a job interview at a reasonably nice steak house not far from where i live.

its called Tanglefoot Steak House.

I had an interview on tuesday and it was really very quick, they were impressed with my knowledge of bar/waitressing work (i have 2 years experiance) and didnt spend more then 10-15 minutes talking to me.

They then offered me a second interview which is tomorrow (Thursday)...

the first interview was over so quickly I didnt really find a appropriate space in the conversation to mention the fact that im 4 and a half months pregnant. my interviewer couldnt see my baby bump over the table so i dont think she has a clue yet.

I did some reading online and there seems to be a lot of mixed results, some say i should tell my interviewer im pregnant and some say wait to see if your hired first.

I thought telling them would be better because i dont want to mislead them or make it look like i purposely left out that im pregnant....but although they cant not hire me because of the pregnancy they could then find another excuse.

If i tell them after i am hired (if i get the job of course) then how would i go about it? when would i say it? would they find some reason to "let me go" say it wasnt working etc

I really dont know what to do

Kaffy Mintcake

I would not tell them. It's really none of their business. As to how to tell them once you start, you can bring it up and play a bit dumb. Afterall, you are 4.5 months along and thought they noticed?

fatbrit

Mum's the word. Or rather not the word. Say nothing!

Bob

Don't tell them till after you've been made an offer.

It's just something else to get in the way of getting that job offer whether they are allowed or not, simple as that.

You probably won't get anything but legal minimum for maternity anyway, which is unpaid.

meauxna

I agree, and I'd PM'd Kaffy just to make sure. (it's been a while since that came up in hiring for me)
Don't let on, and if they offer, great!

PepsiChic

Thanks for the replies.

I'll let you know how it goes once i get back, fingers crossed!

Englishtart

Good luck sweety

Burn1911

Good Luck

and incidently I originate from Somerset (Burnham on Sea then more recently Cheddar) - whereabouts where you before you came over?

dunroving

If you are visibly pregnant, then I wouldn't tell them. It's not as if you are hiding anything from them.

penguinbar

How physical is the job? I have to carry cases of beer and wine up and down stairs and buckets of ice and racks of glsses while I'm setting up the bar and I work in fine dining. Waitressing and bartending is very physical work. How many hours would you be on your feet per day? My back and feet hurt after a night behind the bar and I'm not pregnant. I looked up the place on line and it reminds me of "Outback Stekkhouse". Casual and with a young staff. Since you're young it might be a fun place for you to work. Just keep in mind that when they do find out about the pregnancy they might not be too thrilled. Especially since you will be a new hire and will have to leave or take a leave of absence in a few months.

penguinsix

I'm not sure if you would be eligible for any form of maternity leave as you would only be there 4.5 months before the baby arrives and the law requires you work there 12 months prior. Of course some employers are more flexible, but many are not.

PepsiChic

wow small world! Im from Burnham-On-Sea too!

PepsiChic

thanks for all the good luck wishes,

the interview was hardly an interview at all, the manager met me we sat down and talked about travelling and beer and guinness lol

he was far more fascinated by my accent and about Britain then anything else. after about 10 minutes of that he said I have the job and when would i like to start. I said as soon as, he said tuesday, i said yup.

so i start my new job at tuesday 2pm (CST) for training and orientation, for now i have a menu to learn and a drinks list.

Ive done 2 years worth of bar/waitressing before so i know whats involved, Im a small person (5'5" weighed 98lbs before pregnancy) but i never had a problem with lifting stuff before. The pregnancy might make it a bit harder but i'll figure it out!

The pregnancy didnt come up at all during the 10 minutes we talked, I didnt really know when or how to say it at the end of the interview and he hurried off. Ive never tried to hide it, infact i think if hed paid attention to what i was wearing hed of noticed the bump.

So do i bring it up on tuesday? or...i have an appointment with my OBGYN on wednesday so do i go to that and tell them when i go in wednesday night and pretend i just found out?

I dont want to leave them in the dark too long.

as for the maternity leave, i hope they'll be understanding but at the same time i dont want a whole lot of time off, I want to work right upto the due date (or as close as possible) and maybe have a month off max. I think the law is 12 weeks but im not sure. Either way I plan to take a month off in October, to go back to the UK for my brothers wedding and spend time with the family and them with the baby.

Im hoping with a split time off they'll be more willing but you just never know till you ask.

Im glad to have a job....im gonna miss the long afternoon naps though!

Moonshadow_Girl

If it were me, I'd wait until you passed the probationary period. In most places, you can be let go without cause during the probationary period. At least after the probationary period is over, they have to give you a reason. In the meantime, put your best foot forward so they want you back (in case your probationary period-if you have one-is six months or more).

Good luck!

Bob

Have to have worked 12 months prior to pregnancy and a previous 1250 hours to be eligible for the FMLA minimums, if the employer is eligible (over 50 employees), which would give you 12 weeks unpaid.