Hiring Pregnant Candidates: Building a Better Future for Women

Hiring a candidate who discloses that they are pregnant is getting normalized more and more. While it’s illegal to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, a lot of companies do feel that pregnant women are going to negatively affect the net productivity. As such, pregnant women often keep their pregnancy to themselves during interviews. That’s not healthy either for the expecting mother, the company, or the co-workers. Get more interesting details about pregnant candidates check out here.

Today, we’re going to find out just why we need to embrace parenting and how it helps.

Increasing Normalization

It’s true that parenting has been one of humanity’s biggest joys. But at the same time, companies (even women executives) discriminate against other women who are pregnant. There is a conception that pregnancy will cause them to work less, be more distracted, or have an overall lower productivity due to a variety of reasons. Time and again, social researchers have told us how a lot of that is just guesswork. In any caring organization, a pregnant woman is just as active, consistent, and productive as one who’s not pregnant, or a man. We’re all equal when it comes to doing what we’re good at.

The winds of change are blowing, reshaping the landscape of recruitment. It's becoming more and more normal for candidates to disclose, with pride, that they are pregnant during the interview, leveraging the power of online recruitment resources. Instead of just getting a “Congrats” with no offer letter, they are increasingly becoming a part of the active workforce. But we have a long way to go. And to go that distance, it’s important that everyone understands the benefits of this early disclosure and the merits of hiring a pregnant woman.

Benefits

Parenting is a hard job, and carrying a child is equally hard. But the stress or stigma doesn’t have to be there when women go to work. The benefits that come from hiring someone who discloses their pregnancy early in the hiring process, such as during the first interview itself, are many.

Disclosing pregnancy earlier allows for open communication. The employer can discuss the candidate’s needs and expectations to facilitate a smooth transition into the role.

It’s illegal to discriminate against anyone based on pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition related to either of those.

It also helps the employer make necessary accommodations like adjusting work schedules.

The rest of the employees feel supported when you hire someone who’s pregnant and can be honest and forthcoming in their own ways.

Companies that hire pregnant employees tend to have a better reputation and are known as family-friendly workplaces, which can help attract more talent.

Wrapping Up

Hiring a pregnant candidate is one thing, and ensuring a safe working environment, including workplace safety considerations, is another. Organizations have to make sure that everyone has a clear idea about what reactions, communications, and accommodations are appropriate when someone discloses they are pregnant. If there are concessions (such as a longer lunch break), then everyone should be in the loop instead of finding out randomly on their own. Companies shouldn’t just hire pregnant women because of the illegality of pregnancy discrimination. They should actively care.