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I would apply but I wouldn't tell them. They can't legally ask, either.

The only issue would be that you may not quality for maternity leave options. And you wouldn't get FMLA because you have to be there for a year to get that.

So I'd certainly weigh the balance of a new job vs. old job and see if you were willing to concede on these benefits. There's a good chance you'd get benefits at a new job...even some sick time or some ability to flex around it. You might even start out with a week or two of vacation.

A friend of mine applied for and got a job at 5 months pregnant. Under a suit, it's really, really hard to tell what's going on.

That's a tough call--I want to say no, I wouldn't tell but at the same time I might feel a little dishonest (this is me personally, not saying you should feel the same). You definitely have the right not to tell, but might have a better relationship with your new job if you mentioned it up front, which is something to think about if you're planning to keep it for a long time. I can see wanting to prove yourself as a worker before announcing, though--so I would either tell before being hired or wait to show that I'm amazing once being hired.

I think it depends on what your plans are for after the baby is born. If you know you won't be going back full time, I would feel dishonest not sharing at least a little of the information, I think. But if you do plan to go back full time (or, in whatever capacity you are hired for) then I don't know. I'd probably tell after an offer was made, since you'd need to find about your leave options. Since in my experience the interview process takes a while anyway, you'd probably be getting pretty close to the point where people would guess by the time an offer was made anyway. Another option would be to stick with this job until the end of your pregnancy, take whatever leave you get from them, and start looking for a new job after you have the baby? But I guess that's probably not the easiest time to look for a job either.

<< I would apply but I wouldn't tell them. They can't legally ask, either. >>

@blackbird: Is that true if the employer has under a certain number of employees?

@mr. bee-Yeah there are definitely some instances where FMLA isn't applicable. I'd do some heavy research on the rules/benefits of a company before taking on a position with them, especially while pregnant. If they were a big company, though, I'd feel much safer about it!

I do know that California is one of the states that has special rules for FMLA that don't apply in my state.

I did! I wasn't working at the time though. I had just graduated and I needed a job desperately. I was 16-20 weeks during my interviews. I didn't mention it during the interview process, but told them after they had offered me the job. I got offered two different positions, and they both were very understanding and did not care a bit. It was great!

I just returned from my maternity leave last week. I ended up taking 10 weeks off. I was planning on 8 but had to take a few off before she was born due to PIH. I was not eligible for FMLA, but they knew I would be taking the time off.

@itsmejules: I agree that you need to look out for yourself first. The only time I would question it is if you want the job long term, you don't want to give them a bad first impression. Which I guess goes against what I said about if she doesn't plan to return full time.