Pregnant Looking for Work:Can I find a job?

I worked with a well known tax preparation company and was only going to work till April. Now taking this job helped my family even though I knew I was going to have to find a job when tax season was over. Little did I know that I was going have the toughest time finding work because of my “situation”.

At the end of the tax season I found out I was pregnant and now with the seasonal job was gone, was out of work. I went to look for employment the very next day I found out. I looked long and hard and by the time I found a job, I was around 3 months pregnant. Now, this being my second child I knew I was going to show pretty quickly. I did all I could to hide it but within two weeks of my pregnancy they found out and my boss “sneakily” told me that she was taking “take time off” of her insurance brokering business to take care of her “children”. It took them another week for them to give me my check and I filed a complaint, but nothing every came to it. I was unable to completely “define” that I was discriminated against because of my pregnancy status and didn’t feel to well to take it any further. My main focus was to find another job. I knew if I didn’t find another job, we would would have been on the street and homeless that same month.

I then met another insurance agent (now almost four months pregnant) and he hired me. The day I started, I decided to tell him I was pregnant. I knew they would upset was was for certain thought I was out of there looking for another job. By God’s grace they let me stay and I knew I had to make a very good impression for them to keep me there. I was now employed only having 6 more months to work. After my pregnancy I went back to work two months later and was able to use my disability benefits.

Wow. I look at those times and ask how I made it. It was a lot of pressure for me during those times in Los Angeles trying to struggle and work. I had no choice. I actually am happy (looking back) just how that worked out living there for all those years and going through the struggles that I have. It has made me a more wise and ready to survive in any kind of situation. With that said, I know that during these times that many people are struggling trying to find work. I know someone else last year was in the same predicament when she found out she was pregnant and had a struggle just as I have. Should I go look for a job? Will someone hire me pregnant? Is is illegal? I believe that there are a three alternatives that you can do to help to find work when pregnant.

1. Find a temporary part-time/full time job.

2. Find employment as if you where not pregnant.

3. Start a business and work from home.

The stress of finding a job and making an impression can be demanding and then adding with it pregnancy…..almost unrealistic at the time. Again, this is all depending on where you are mentally, physically and emotionally. I know with my first pregnancy I was terribly sick for the first three months and mentally depressed and unfocused, so my husband had to figure out what he could do for us to survive. Many women feel that it is unethical to do so to an employer and feel they are “tricking” the business not telling them what is really going on in their bodies.

Now in these days and times with our economy, everyone needs a job. Babies need shoes…you need to eat and survive.  Do what it takes.  There are alternatives (that I have mentioned earlier) for women that need to work to work. There is nothing wrong with being pregnant and working. In these days it is a necessity. (especailly if you have more than once child) If you don’t feel comfortable working a permanent job, find a temp one. Do what you have to do to take care of yourself and your family.  There is nothing wrong with doing something respectful as working…even if you are prego.  Pregnancy is temporary, but needing a job is not. We all need to work to eat. What somes you when you are pregnant…..you.