Employers, be honest, would you hire someone that was on maternity leave?

Question

If you interviewed a variety of people for an IT based job, assuming that they were the most competent, would you hire someone that told you they were on maternity leave or would if put you off?

If it would put you off, is there anything that they could convince you to offer them the job?

Answer 1

No I would not because though it is not dis-honest of you as such it IS unethical.

Your employers are holding your position for you awaiting your return. If you have no intention of returning then you are blocking someone else from getting the job.  I would not even interview you as I would consider you as 'un-reliable' at the very least.

Answer 2

To be honest, I would be very put off, not by the fact you had a baby, but the fact that you used the time to seek another job. I would feel that you had taken advantage of your previous employer, and would probably take advantage of your new employer.  I can't think of any explanation that would make me want to hire someone I would not be able to trust.

Answer 3

If they were on maternity leave then there is already a job they would be returning to which legally must be held for them for a required set time after the birth

So I don't understand why they would be looking for another job in the first place

If the question is would you employ someone who is pregnant then the answer is probably no , because normally you would be looking for someone to start as soon as possible . If the person was potentially a very good worker then you would probably keep them on file for any future vacancy  

Answer 4

Don't tell them you are on maternity leave, tell them you left to have the baby and you are now looking for work, because that is what you are doing although it would be better to tell your employer that you are not coming back. If I was interviewing you the only thing that would bother me is the fact that you have a baby, who would watch it if it was sick and when it starts school who would watch it during school holiday. The company I work for doesn't take on any female with young kids because of this, I would look for a more mature person, sorry.

Answer 5

If you were available for work in the next couple weeks, I don't think it would matter to most employers.  If you weren't going to be available for a couple months, or more, it would matter to me, since I need someone NOW, not several months out.

Tell them the truth.

Good luck.

Answer 6

It is very practicle to take this time to look for another job.  You are applying and interviewing for a new job on your own time, you are not taking time off from work to look for another job on your employers time.

On your application and/or resume, you should be listing that you work for your current employer form mm/dd/yy to present.  You are still an active employee, you are still considered employed by your current employer.  Therefore, there is no reason to divuldge this information to prospective employers.

To avoid time frames for projects you are working on or have completed, you should list on your resume substantial projects that you have worked on, it does not have to indicate when you worked on them.  By using this method, you will have thought out, what projects you have completed and by placing them on your resume, it will answer the prospective employers question.  The prospective employer will then focus on the projects that you have listed and ask questions with respect to those projects.

In addition, the prospective employer(s) will ask you what your current position entails, so you should have this well written out on your resume as well.  Also, you should research the company/employer you will be interviewing with prior to your interview, so that you are asking questions.  This will give you the upper hand and will imply to the prospective employer that you are very interested in making a career out of working for them.

I hope this information has been helpful.  If you need some assistance in updating your resume, please contact me, I would be happy to assist you.

Congratulations on the birth of your child.

Best wishes.

Answer 7

I would think you should go back and resume your previous stance. If you have not exhausted your benefits it might be wise as sometimes things happen. You might need to take time off for follow up visits to the doctor. Were you on FMLA? It is better to have a job and look for work than no job etc.  being on maternity leave is not a put off but just doesn't sound right..I would think it would raise a lot of questions to a prospective employer related to why you wouldn't go back and would she do this to us in the future..Jobs are getting tougher to get and no breaks look good on the ole resume..and an approved leave is still an active status with your current employer.

Answer 8

Why are they looking for work somewhere else if they're on maternity leave.

Answer 9

Ok ignore the fact they already on leave har har.

Id consider it.  Id ask how long left etc because for example if im looking for someone pronto i dont want to be waiting.  Of course if the applicant was succesful id stick her top of the pile next time it comes to hiring.   Just depends if you need them now or if you can wait.

Answer 10

If they're on maternity leave then they wouldn't be looking for work because maternity leave is something you get when you're already employed.  

Answer 11

Okay first of all I do not understand why you are saying you are on maternity leave.  There is no reason to disclose this information.  Unfortunately, although you cannot prove it -- It is a major turn off and you must keep in mind and I am sure you know the IT field is male dominated and will never have the responsibility or capability of pregnancy and all that goes along with it.  I am sure you are a proud and happy new mom, but my sister who is an employment attorney and was in the field of HR for over ten years always advised her friends including my wife not to mention children or maternity leave etc.... It gives a prospective employer cause not to hire you especially if they are looking for a "stronger person" (a.k.a. male) for the position.  So the answer to your question is "yes."  It would put off a prospective employer.  

It is ashame you are in that predicament and I completely understand. My wife went through something very similar when she returned to the workforce and being out of touch for so long she did find at times she had to be forthright so the prospective employer could understand why she was not aware of A, B, or C.  Is there anyway you can possibly take some brush up classes to give you better leverage? What my wife did. Got a couple of certifications and she was back in full force.  I sincerely wish you the best of luck!

Answer 12

I know exactly how you feel. i've been on maternity leave and go back on mon sob but anyway i had 4 interviews recently but was unsuccessful. I wasn't sure whether I needed to tell them but at the end they said "so are you going back to work now then?" so i told them I was just coming to the end of mat leave, I didn't want to lie either. I didn't get that job due to "experience" but you never know whether that might put them off so in the next interview I didn't mention it and didn't get that job either. I think if they ask about a project then be honest with them but otherwise if you get a question at the end like I did then try to avoid telling them just in case. I don't think by us looking for jobs that we are s******g over the companies as I only got full pay for 12 weeks then the rest was statutory. having a baby makes you reevaluate your life and wanting better prospects for your family is something to be applauded in my opinion rather than struggling or living off benefits like most people!