Starting a new WFH job at 18 weeks and need to disclose medical appointments right away

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should have disclosed it the five times they asked.

Then I wouldn’t have been hired and I am assuming I would do late appointments. I was just a few weeks pregnant when I interviewed. I interviewed at the beginning of June and job begins at the end of August. I can’t find a practice that does late appointments and even if I did, switching can create a lot of health insurance issues and higher medical bills. I went with group that’s 5 mins away. I don’t have a lot of choices because of my location. My insurance accepts this one group and they seem to be the only OBGYNs around my area unless I commute 45 mins away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should have disclosed it the five times they asked.

+1

Can you go to a different OB with evening hours for the scan?

Your boss will wonder why you didn’t disclose this the five times you were asked.

[Anonymous]

You mentioned being able to push the scan a week to 21 weeks and this would not be an issue with needing to take off for training? I would just do do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not disclose you’re pregnant this early under any circumstances. They will not invest in you as a new employee.

This.

Op here but then I risk being fired for the medical appointments. Either way I am screwed. Pregnancy is supposed to protect me more. This is also a really busy time for the company and temporary work through open enrollment isn’t unheard of. I’m not working with a health insurance company directly but a lot of the work we do involves open enrollment. We verify health insurance information for drugs people couldn’t otherwise afford but we need to make sure Medicare doesn’t cover it. Some pharm companies have a certain amount of drugs they donate each year. I am an hourly employee. For my husbands job it wouldn’t be a big deal but hourly employees don’t have those luxurious always. We are probably expected to have camera on during the entire training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You mentioned being able to push the scan a week to 21 weeks and this would not be an issue with needing to take off for training? I would just do do that.

It would still be an issue. Training is 6 weeks. Scan is at the beginning of 3 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should have disclosed it the five times they asked.

+1

Can you go to a different OB with evening hours for the scan?

Your boss will wonder why you didn’t disclose this the five times you were asked.

No one in their right mind discloses they are 4-6 weeks pregnant. That’s just dumb. I don’t think any sane person discloses this during the interview because it will almost always mean you aren’t hired.

[Anonymous]

Having worked on pharma I don’t think they will be as draconian as you seem to think. I mean people get sick. Things happen.

You could not mention it and call in that morning with “food poisoning” or something. Say you will log on later if you feel better.

[Anonymous]

Can you have one ear in the training on your phone with earbuds?

[Anonymous]

Just to offer sympathy that I know it sucks being in your situation. When I was in my twenties, I also started a new job at around the 18 week mark. I did not tell them I was pregnant until after I was hired and fully on-boarded. When I told them, I could tell that they were extremely disappointed in hiring me due to my pregnancy and needing maternity leave. There were a lot of mean looks and chatter about me for the first few months. But in the end, they started really appreciating my work ethic and things got a lot better. The secretary even actually threw me a small baby shower at her house. Just wanted to say to stay strong and hang in there. Everything will be fine as long as you maintain good work ethic.

[Anonymous]

Suing them for a slam-dunk discrimination case because they fire you is the best possible outcome. But it won't happen. They aren't that stupid. You're going to need maternity leave soon anyway.

Have all your communication in writing so it's evidence, and speak the truth without unnecessary detail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Suing them for a slam-dunk discrimination case because they fire you is the best possible outcome. But it won't happen. They aren't that stupid. You're going to need maternity leave soon anyway.

Have all your communication in writing so it's evidence, and speak the truth without unnecessary detail.

Op here. I'm not going to get paid maternity leave and my schedule will change after training (which is 6 weeks) so it's possible I can schedule appointments in the mornings. Most likely I will start later in the day and work through the evening. It's also totally possible they are planning to lay people off after open enrollment. I don't think company policy gives paid maternity leave until you have been employed for 1 year. They haven't given any information about maternity leave and I don't feel comfortable asking. The only contact I have right now is my manager.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you have one ear in the training on your phone with earbuds?

I think cameras must be on…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having worked on pharma I don’t think they will be as draconian as you seem to think. I mean people get sick. Things happen.

You could not mention it and call in that morning with “food poisoning” or something. Say you will log on later if you feel better.

Op here. It depends on the field and this is similar to a call center job. They fire people easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Disclose you are pregnant and submit doctor notes. If you are in DC, there are laws that protect you.

Just know I never would have hired someone I knew was pregnant. Screw the law.

[Anonymous]

I mean what if someone gets sick during training? They can’t punish someone for that. I wouldn’t delay a 20 week ultrasound. So many things can come up at that appointment. Mine disclosed a very high risk situation. You need to also take your baby’s health into consideration.