https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:53:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace/page/2#post-2500966 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 14:38:29 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2500966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No - I worked in academic research and I was given more responsibility and a raise while I was pregnant. And my boss was super easy going with working our experiments around my doctors appointments.</p> <p>I chose to SAH but my boss converted a side lab space into a pumping room for another employee (the official pumping room was in another building and not convenient). And he was more than willing to work out a part-time or flexible schedule with me had I wanted to return post baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace/page/2#post-2500432 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 09:49:03 +0000 macintosh 2500432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am very lucky to work for a small company with a very generous, progressive owner. I was promoted during pregnancy and given a raise shortly after I came back from leave. I only took 6 weeks, but I was fully paid and I am allowed to WAH 4 days/week. </p> <p>That said, I am in the male-dominated tech industry and I have experienced a ton of sexism during my career. I have been subjected to sexual harassment, unequal pay, unfair treatment (by men and women). It's extremely frustrating. Even my boss, who is awesome, recently doubted if I could install something that required a tall ladder :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace/page/2#post-2500410 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 08:21:06 +0000 skipra 2500410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAH now but my first pregnancy absolutely did not affect my work. I was given a promotion while pregnant and my boss bent over backward trying to get me to come back after LO1 was born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace/page/2#post-2500350 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 05:32:26 +0000 brownie 2500350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and I believe it is more pervasive than we want to believe. I have had one bad and one good situation.</p> <p>The bad because it came up first. I had to do Ivf with my son. As if that wasn't a hard enough situation my boss was horrid during this time. To the point I was crying outside on the phone telling my husband that we may have to stop midcycle. It worked and I went from being awesome to someone who couldn't code at all and came in late and all sorts of other things. I got a bad review and fought it on the facts without touching that it was pregnancy discrimination. All I wanted was a new supervisor and they just couldn't make that happen for some reason. I found a new job when my son was 9 months old. I went from Doing software to teaching software.</p> <p>Then with my daughter I had two part time jobs. I worked until I went into labor at both and came back to my teaching job when she was 5 days old (1 hour a day job). I interviewed for a full time position at 36 weeks pregnant. I got the position. I couldn't believe it because I was obviously pregnant. And it has turned out well. I have missed two days of work this year. Once for baby in the hospital and once for myself being sick. </p> <p>I do still have trust issues and trams around the first experience. I highly recommend both the documentary "code debugging the gender gap" and the website elephant in the valley. They are eye opening for women in software and non traditional roles as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500343 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 04:00:41 +0000 Mrs D 2500343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in a male dominant field (finance) and a male dominant industry (automotive). It's basically an old boys club.</p> <p>I do not feel it has negatively affected me. I was promoted to manager shortly after returning from leave with my first. I received another dream promotion last year. I am on leave now w dd2...and just found out I am on track to receive a Merit award while on leave this time.</p> <p>I did encounter some fear from my boss during my first leave that I would not return post baby (my husband has a very successful career and I think he worried we financially didn't need my salary - wrong). Once we cleared that up I have had no issues... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500338 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 03:03:08 +0000 Nutella 2500338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh it's so hard to know!! But I'm sure it's been a factor in a shirty situation in the past! HR straight up asked my coworker when I started if she thought I was going to have a baby...then proceeded to never make my role permanent (this giving me no maternity leave should I ever become pregnant) and then restructured me out later that year even after I kicked ass in the job! So bizarre. I will never know what my colleague said because she was her own sorts of crazy but I'm glad to be out. I have been in interviews of late when they manage to work out i have a kid, then they ask how old said kid is...then I FEEL like they imagine in their head that I'm due for second baby anytime soon...and who knows, maybe that plays a part?! Maybe not, but I speak to lots of personal friends who are managers and they are like oh for sure, I would only hire a visibly pregnant lady if it was in a big organisation..but if it was small-medium it's just not going to be worth the hassle :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500295 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 23:26:16 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2500295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So aside from temping I just started working but I've worked in the field before and I know some people who work in the field through classes I take and it is male dominated and in some ways I do think I'll be viewed as a mommy first and I'm going to work hard to show that I can get things done. It's not so much being discriminated against as a mom as I *do* generally have to leave at a reasonable time. Others can stay as late as they want, change plans easily, etc. But I *chose* to be a mom, so that's part of the deal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500214 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 21:02:17 +0000 NavyRN2012 2500214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted "no and my job is male dominated", but it's a little more complex than that. I move every 3 years, so my superiors change. I had my 2 youngest at my last duty station and my leadership was amazing. That particular duty station was female dominated and my bosses were moms who handled motherhood and work amazingly well. My current job, not so much. I definitely do feel as though being a mom negatively impacts my leadership's perception of me. My captain isn't a parent and my direct supervisor definitely puts her career above all else. It's disheartening, but I know I'm great at my job. Knowing also that these leaders will move on (soon) helps keep my morale up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500195 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 20:34:00 +0000 hb3233 2500195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's great to hear some positive experiences as well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500190 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 20:30:18 +0000 blackbird 2500190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. I work part time in engineering and everyone is so cool about it. If anyone says or thinks it, they don't say it to me. And my boss doesn't treat me any differently, so....I got a couple snarky comments in my last business group, but I left, and they were douches. I feel like all that matters here is that I do my job well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500147 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:45:59 +0000 Ms maths 2500147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I don't think so. I'm a college professor, at a teaching school (friendlier environment) in a technical field (so the department is mostly men.)</p> <p>I've actually been very surprised by how understanding and accommodating people have been. I have regularly missed "extras" (like late afternoon department meetings and evening student-faculty socials) and I think I am overall doing pretty lousy work in every aspect of my job this year. But no one has given me any indication that they think I am doing lousy work or that I shouldn't miss the events I miss. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500122 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:15:47 +0000 Ms. RV 2500122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in a male dominated field, but their are a disproportionate amount of females in the plant I work in. I am only the second to have a baby. I made sure I wasn't mommy tracked. While pregnant, I did everything (lifting, running equipment) as if I were not and once I had DD I checked and responded to emails from my company phone. I took minimal leave (6 weeks) and even cancelled/rearranged vacation days for meetings. I wanted to show management that I was still as dedicated as ever to work. It seems to have worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500117 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:10:03 +0000 MamaCate 2500117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had positive experiences: promoted during my first pregnancy and then offered another promotion as soon as I came back from maternity leave after #2. But I am in social work/behavioral health which is a very female dominated field and doesn't pay much so at least they are flexible and support working moms! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500105 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 18:56:06 +0000 hb3233 2500105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: I think it was pretty much the norm for her generation :sad: So glad things are getting better, though this thread shows there's a ways to go (at least a slight majority of people answered no!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2500069 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 17:52:13 +0000 Mama Bird 2500069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hb3233: wow. I'm so sorry that happened to your grandma. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499904 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:57:54 +0000 snowjewelz 2499904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: Yes, pretty much this. It's all unspoken but the more I think about it, the more it is everywhere!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499901 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:56:52 +0000 hb3233 2499901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Wow, that is truly AWFUL. So glad you found a (much) better company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499897 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:54:50 +0000 hb3233 2499897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, some of these stories are making my blood boil. I've been in my profession for a decade and have spent a lot of time covering for men who don't put in the work to make projects that have to be finished materialize. I'm sure this is the norm with so many women, and then to have it disregarded when you become a mom...arghhh</p> <p>I think often of my grandma, who was a pilot in WWII and achieved the highest rank that could be attained by a woman. She was stationed just outside NYC and trained as a fighter pilot. In the (not entirely unlikely) event that the Nazis had bombed NY, her air corps unit would have been first responders. She was super, crazy smart. Then she - and millions of other women - were told after the war to retake their rightful place in the home so that men could have the jobs that they deserved. Near her death, she had gone quite senile and when we walked into the nursing home and asked her how her day had been, she proudly stated: "I got a sex change today, so I can finally do all those things I wanted to do my entire life." I don't want the young women I mentor, our daughters, our granddaughters to have to think this on their deathbeds, or for men who would have preferred to focus on raising their children or on a stereotypically female career to face similar barriers. But the current state of things can still feel really discouraging, I guess it means a lot of room for progress! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499894 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:53:18 +0000 wrkbrk 2499894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: What the what?!?!?!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499889 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:51:49 +0000 Rockies11 2499889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: ditto. The travel thing, and basically everything else too. I have been explicitly asked whether I am planning on more so they can decline to put me on projects. I have listened to relentless complaining by senior partners about maternity leave and how it's ruining all their files. I haven't gotten a raise in 4 years Newsflash, assholes. 60 percent + of graduates are women, so get used to this problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499873 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:40:44 +0000 PinkElephant 2499873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was pregnant with my first, I told my boss (and his boss) about my pregnancy at about 18 wks to give them ample time to prepare for my replacement, since I was going to have the baby in the final phase of the large project I was working on. I was overseas and expected my local boss's reaction to possibly be negative, and my expat big boss (boss's boss, partner in charge of the project) to be progressive and work with me on my exit/re-entry progress.</p> <p>OMG was I ever wrong. The partner immediately snapped at me along the lines of "Why are you telling me this? What is it you want from me?" (Umm out of respect to you and your team? Nothing other than a polite congratulations?) he very quickly found a way not to renew my contract for the job, which would have expired while I was expected to be out (even though the project continued on six months after my daughter was born), and was cold to me for the remainder of the time. Essentially cut me out of everything he could.</p> <p>On the flip side, it turned out my local boss was super supportive - his wife (also working) was also expecting around the same time as me. He was actually very funny about checking in on how I was feeling/doing and looking out for my well being (in a non patronizing way), and helped me make the most of my time with the firm by giving me good, challenging assignments and putting me in front of very senior people for presentations. He fouht for me to come back after the birth, and while I met with him for professional discussions occasionally, I never went back to work. I was fearful that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the consultant hours/lifestyle of unexpected late nights and short notice travel (I commuted one and a half hours each way day to a client site during my pregnancy), and didn't want to tarnish my reputation by performing poorly. And I didn't want to work for that partner anymore, because the second I had to come in late or leave early for my LO, he'd be vindicated in his treatment. </p> <p>Interestingly, that partner just tried to connect to me on linked in. Sorry, not interested . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499871 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:38:49 +0000 yoursilverlining 2499871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A definite YES ABSOLUTELY I experienced pregnancy discrimination in my (prior) workplace. My direct manager would, on a weekly basis after I became pregnant, make comments to me that “the reason the US is going to hell is because of working mothers”, that women who love their children stay home, that women SHOULD stay home, that “all women lie” about their plans to return to work, that *I* specifically was lying about my plan to return to work, that working mothers can’t be counted on and more. He gave me a negative performance review for the first time in 5 years while I was pregnant (after 4 years of “superior/above/excels” ratings from him, although my work product did not change the year I was pregnant, which he actually admitted to in our review meeting and then said he still felt that I deserved a negative review. I complained to HR who did nothing. This same manager routinely addressed the only other female on my team as a “fucking cunt” and “bitch”, which HR also knew about. So yeah, neither of us were surprised that I got no backup from the company. The worst part is this was the legal department of a large company, so really, everyone should have known/behaved better. </p> <p>I now work for a different employer and have not been mommy-tracked in any way (I joined when LO was about a year oldhaven’t been pregnant with them but speaking as a newish mother). In fact, I’ve been promoted within my first year and have again gone back to getting “strong/exceeds” yearly reviews each year. I certainly wish I had been working here when I was pregnant. It would have saved a lot of stress and tears. :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499835 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:11:31 +0000 Mommy Finger 2499835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: Oh yeah. I realized pretty early on that I made a mistake in coming to this company. Unfortunately, I felt like I needed to wait (and waste) 2 years so as not to affect my resume. I'm actively on the hunt now. Our HR department has been no help</p> <p>And so many of these stories just make me say WOW! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499827 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:09:23 +0000 Mama Bird 2499827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was definitely mommy tracked with my first. I worked from home a lot so there may have been a perception I'm not working hard. I guess I knew the risk when I asked for the flex time, so no hard feelings.</p> <p>This time... We're having a crisis at work with lots of odd field hours needed. I'm in management so no one has pressured me to step in yet, but I know that people are having a hard time dealing with it and I should be helping. If I get mommy tracked for not helping out now, I think it will be fair :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499825 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:08:16 +0000 MamaG 2499825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely, and some days I'm "okay" with it. I'm in Corporate Accounting and I'm overdue for a high profile project. The last big one that came up I should have been given a shot at being involved in and I wasn't. Instead the work all went to someone that has no kids. She's qualified but they about ran her off with how overworked she was without any additional support. I should have been given a supporting role.</p> <p>My boss is amazingly supportive of my parenthood and allows me a lot of flexibility, but I also think he views me as less reliable now that I do need to use sick time for kiddos or because it is important to me to have dinner with my kids and be around for bedtime most days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499823 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:07:38 +0000 Foodnerd81 2499823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, I did not go back to work after my first, but no I don't think I faced any discrimination. But I worked with almost all young women, and not terribly high paying. Lots of coworkers having babies. The company was accommodating for pumping and coworkers tried to be accommodating in terms of travel when possible, for the moms with really little ones. Sounds like that is more of an exception. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499821 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 14:07:18 +0000 BlueWolverine 2499821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pregnancy discrimination is totally illegal and unfortunately very hard to prove. Which pisses me off. I was recently passed over for a job because I couldn't start when they wanted me to - because I'd have a newborn. Of course, when I flew in to interview with them (and took days off of my current job to do so), they said they'd be "willing to wait" for the right person. But after I was given rave reviews after a day of interviewing, it came up that I wouldn't start until summer. And that was a problem, suddenly. The whole situation makes me angry. I was up front with them before the interview and was obviously pregnant during. Meanwhile, they hired someone with zero experience, but HE could start right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499797 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:54:56 +0000 LibbyLou 2499797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also in a male dominated world. Although I don't have children yet, I am dreading the reaction of the field and my employer\future employers. </p> <p>In the last 6months I have heard how some other female "tricked" our company into hiring her but she was 9weeks pregnant (she didn't disclose). I 100% would do the same because I have been told by my DIRECT manager that if I were to get pregnant it would mean very bad things. Most likely getting fired. Of course this was said within days of my loss so that was awesome. :sarcasm:<br /> I live in a very merit-based system so they could fire or reorg my job in a heartbeat. I know three women who were told their jobs were eliminated when they left for maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499793 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:52:40 +0000 MrsSCB 2499793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, but I do have a friend who was recently confused as to why she was passed over for an opening at her company for someone with less experience. Then she heard through the grapevine that people were worried being the mother of a toddler would mean she'd never want to work overtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-and-discrimination-in-the-workplace#post-2499792 Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:52:34 +0000 wrkbrk 2499792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MUI831: Oh lord. So much eye rolling from my desk! </p>