I had just turned 8 weeks pregnant and had an ultrasound set for the following day. I was at my job for almost three months on a temp-to-hire and was close to being hired on. Because of a number of pregnancy related appointments I had coming up, I decided that it was time to inform my boss. My thinking was that it would be better for them to know so they would understand why I would be having a number of appointments in coming weeks. My appointments were all set for either early in the morning or during lunch time so that I wouldn't miss a lot of time at work.
By Ohio law no woman has to tell their boss until they are 15 weeks till due date - by which point you're going to be unmistakably showing. From what I can tell, it seems most people make their pregnancy known around the end of the 1st trimester.
So, I arrived early at work on Monday and went into my boss's office, sat down, and told her that I was 8 weeks pregnant. She seemed excited for me and congratulated me on this "wonderful time in my life." A weight seemed lifted off of my shoulders as going in that morning I was fearful for the worst. She notified the HR department, and there seemed to be no problem.
The ultrasound appointment came. Rob and I got to see our baby for the very first time. Everyone at work seemed excited for me. The two women at work that I had grown close to both told me that I was doing a fantastic job and that they'd be insane to let me go and not to worry about it.
Friday arrived - work week finished. I said goodbye to everyone at work and drove home. About 15 minutes after walking through the door I received a phone call from the temp agency I was placed through.
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| Seeing Mini-Minion for the very 1st time! 8 weeks & 2 days. |
The ultrasound appointment came. Rob and I got to see our baby for the very first time. Everyone at work seemed excited for me. The two women at work that I had grown close to both told me that I was doing a fantastic job and that they'd be insane to let me go and not to worry about it.
Friday arrived - work week finished. I said goodbye to everyone at work and drove home. About 15 minutes after walking through the door I received a phone call from the temp agency I was placed through.
"Hi Crystal, I'm so sorry but I received an email from [the company] and they are not going to have you return on Monday," the lady said.
"I'm sorry too, did they say why?" I asked as a flood of emotions started pouring over me and a cold chill rushed through my blood.
"They said that you were not returning calls or emails in a timely manner," she replied. "Bullshit", I thought.
I couldn't resist as anger enveloped me, "Are you sure this has nothing to do with the fact that I told them on Monday I am 8 weeks pregnant?"
"Oh, um..." She paused and stammered, "I will talk to them more on Monday about their decision."
"Ok, I need a job can you please start looking for me on Monday, as well, to get me in somewhere as soon as possible?" I asked fighting back tears of anger and disappointment.
"I will, every review we have of you is stellar, it won't be hard for us to get you into another job." She said in a hopeful voice.
"Thank-you." I hung up the phone and the tears started to flow. "How the fuck do they get away with this?!" I yelled.
I was angry and terrified.
While Rob works freelance, my steady income was how we paid the major bills, and suddenly there was no more income. Just as I had finally caught up on my debts and was starting to feel good about where we were headed financially - it was now ripped away from me.
I was angry and terrified.
While Rob works freelance, my steady income was how we paid the major bills, and suddenly there was no more income. Just as I had finally caught up on my debts and was starting to feel good about where we were headed financially - it was now ripped away from me.
When I first began writing this post, it had been three weeks since I was "let go". After several phone calls / emails and a few interviews, I still hadn't had any luck in finding another job. I hadn't heard from the temp agency after that initial phone call - even though I've tried to contact them. When I stopped in their office to pickup my belongings that they retrieved from the job site, they assured me that they were just waiting for a good job to come up.
I kept going over in my head the entire time at the company, but in particular that last week. I was told by many people (including my boss' boss the week before I was let go) that I was doing a great job. I only worked at this one company through this particular temp agency. They told me that they had great reviews of my performance. If there are good reviews and people were commenting on my good performance, then why would I be told I was being let go for a job performance reason? I'd not been counseled or notified once that there was a problem with my response times on emails and phone calls.
I'm obviously not an unbiased party, but to me I can't help but think that my release was due to my pregnancy. The timing of events alone makes the situation seem fishy - on Monday I did what i felt was the right thing and on Friday I suddenly was unemployed.
I kept going over in my head the entire time at the company, but in particular that last week. I was told by many people (including my boss' boss the week before I was let go) that I was doing a great job. I only worked at this one company through this particular temp agency. They told me that they had great reviews of my performance. If there are good reviews and people were commenting on my good performance, then why would I be told I was being let go for a job performance reason? I'd not been counseled or notified once that there was a problem with my response times on emails and phone calls.
I'm obviously not an unbiased party, but to me I can't help but think that my release was due to my pregnancy. The timing of events alone makes the situation seem fishy - on Monday I did what i felt was the right thing and on Friday I suddenly was unemployed.
Right before turning 30 this summer I thought to myself, "I can do this. I can have my career and have a family. I can have it all." I have a hard time believing that this sort of thing is still an issue in the 21st century. Sadly, now I am living proof.
I am fortunate that I have finally just over a week ago started a new permanent job for a local construction company. Regardless though, being out of work for nearly a month has caused a huge financial distress for us as well as the emotional turmoil that comes with it all. Over the past few weeks I have felt like a complete failure .. like I'm worthless. I am growing life a new life inside of me and it's supposed to be one of the best times of my life and what this company did to me made me feel completely worthless.
In an effort to bring in extra cash, Rob has torn apart and sold almost an entire card collection and is trying to sell his personal computer. While I understand why he's doing so and I support him in this - I can't help but feel like it is entirely my fault that he has to do this. Even though I know better, I feel like I put us in this position and I'm terrified that I won't be able to pull us out of it.
I know we'll make it through - I don't doubt that. I will never make this mistake again. Not only will I not make this mistake, but at some point I will help to make sure that this type of treatment of pregnant women never happens again.
I am fortunate that I have finally just over a week ago started a new permanent job for a local construction company. Regardless though, being out of work for nearly a month has caused a huge financial distress for us as well as the emotional turmoil that comes with it all. Over the past few weeks I have felt like a complete failure .. like I'm worthless. I am growing life a new life inside of me and it's supposed to be one of the best times of my life and what this company did to me made me feel completely worthless.
In an effort to bring in extra cash, Rob has torn apart and sold almost an entire card collection and is trying to sell his personal computer. While I understand why he's doing so and I support him in this - I can't help but feel like it is entirely my fault that he has to do this. Even though I know better, I feel like I put us in this position and I'm terrified that I won't be able to pull us out of it.
I know we'll make it through - I don't doubt that. I will never make this mistake again. Not only will I not make this mistake, but at some point I will help to make sure that this type of treatment of pregnant women never happens again.
My recommendation to pregnant women looking to tell their employer about their pregnancy is to wait. Wait until you can't wait anymore. Investigate your state laws and stick to them. Regardless of whatever company you work for - even a company run by a woman or a prominent Forbes "Best Company To Work For" - wait until you absolutely have to tell. It's illegal under federal and most states' laws for a company to fire you because of your pregnancy. In "at will" states, though, companies can easily find loopholes to get around this.
If you feel as if you have been discriminated against because of your pregnancy, do not hesitate to file a claim with EEOC or your state's civil rights commission. They have the tools to investigate whether or not you were fired on just grounds or if it is due to your pregnancy. It is not acceptable for a company to discriminate against you. There is no excuse for this type of behavior.
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