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– So, just for kicks, your friendly blogger Kat Griffin has auditioned for her own talk show. Please vote!
– Forbes Woman rounds up the top 100 websites for women. (We're honored to be included!)
– For those of you prefer to wear pantyhose in the summer (or need to), Susie Faux has some suggestions for good brands, at least for the British readers. (Update: you can buy the tights she recommends online — BareNecessities.com
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– Get Rich Slowly has an interesting column for those looking for high interest rates on how to choose between checking, savings, and CDs.
– Psychology Today suggests why we all need vacations for our physical and mental health.
– Silicon Alley Insider rounds up the best gadgets to take on your next business trip. Finally, there's a new iPhone app that helps relieve stress on backs — what are YOUR favorite iPhone apps?
Angie
Since I won’t be at my computer for the open thread, here goes: How many of you who hire would hire a pregnant woman? I’m due in Feb but have been wanting to leave my job. Now some juicy openings have come up but I feel stuck for these next several months. Of course, I would feel obligated to ‘fess up at an interview even though I’m not showing yet.
Thanks for any insights.
Eponine
My friend was just hired at literally 9 months pregnant, and we just hired someone who turned out to be about 3 months pregnant when she started. But why on earth would you “fess up?” It is illegal to discriminate against pregnant women in hiring, and you have absolutely nothing to “confess” and no obligation whatsoever to tell them. You should not say a thing to potential employers until after you’ve accepted an offer, and even then, not until you’re far enough along that you’re comfortable sharing the news with others.
lawDJ
Completely agree with this. What if (and I mean this delicately) something happens to the baby? I would not be telling my employer (or indeed, most people) until it was obvious, and I see nothing wrong with that.
Anon
Sure it’s illegal to discriminate against pregnant women, but I’ve been burned by hiring someone who couldn’t commit to the job 100% because of illness, doctor’s visits, and then maternity leave. She “found out” she was 4 months along the day before she started the job. It’s just not cool to accept a job and then not be available to do it. I know all the working moms are going to jump all over my lack of empathy, but that situation really, really sucked, because our budget did not allow us to hire someone else while keeping her job open.
Maybe you work in a more relaxed field, but if the jobs you’re applying for have deadlines, trials, whatever, please let them know at the interview so they can at least plan ahead. If you’re a good candidate, they’ll work something out for you.
Good luck!
Cat
I sympathize with the “day before” issue — that seems unprofessional unless it was a very tight offer-to-start-date timeframe. I disagree about bringing it up at an initial interview.
Erin
Women have the right to have children without being discriminated against in hiring. It sounds like you all would have worked something out and hired her anyway, but many, many employers wouldn’t and she’d have no way to prove it, so I can’t blame her for not telling. I’m sorry it sucked for you, but your anecdote illustrates even more the need for strictly enforced legal protections for pregnant jobseekers and employees. As it is, FMLA doesn’t apply to employees who’ve worked there for less than a year, so many companies don’t give newish hires any maternity leave at all because they’re not required to by law.
Katie
I love this blog!!! SO many great ideas! -Katie
PQ
If you switch jobs now, you won’t be eligible for FMLA leave, so they can hire you, but they don’t need to protect your job for you until you get back (assuming you want to take some sort of pregnancy leave, that is.)