short term contract but expecting

**craig1** · 30 June 2011, 09:41

If it's a short contract and she's not expecting a renewal, e.g. a one-off project, AND she is in good health AND she is willing to commit herself to taking almost no days off for pregnancy related stuff then she should go for it and not disclose it. If she's likely to be taking time off or has a history of poor health in pregnancy then she can do her reputation a good bit of damage if she takes the role then annoys the hell out of the client and agency by poor performance or attendance.

If I could give positive answers to the points above then I'd not disclose it as it would probably be a quick killer for the chances of getting the role.

On pregnancy rights, she has none as a contractor. That's one reason why clients take on contractors: work done with none of those pesky employment laws to bother with.

**northernladuk** · 30 June 2011, 09:56

I would be tempted not to tell them at the interview for fear of discrimination but when they do offer her the role I would be tempted to tell them then. There should be no problems as she can fulfil the role. If they have committed to an offer and then pull it you know full well she is being discriminated against. All said and done if they do I am not sure what you would about it.

**JamJarST** · 30 June 2011, 09:56

Originally posted by craig1 View Post

If it's a short contract and she's not expecting a renewal, e.g. a one-off project, AND she is in good health AND she is willing to commit herself to taking almost no days off for pregnancy related stuff then she should go for it and not disclose it. If she's likely to be taking time off or has a history of poor health in pregnancy then she can do her reputation a good bit of damage if she takes the role then annoys the hell out of the client and agency by poor performance or attendance.

If I could give positive answers to the points above then I'd not disclose it as it would probably be a quick killer for the chances of getting the role.

On pregnancy rights, she has none as a contractor. That's one reason why clients take on contractors: work done with none of those pesky employment laws to bother with.

I disagree, if I was the client and found out that a contractor had withheld important and pertinent information that could affect the contract I would get rid.

**northernladuk** · 30 June 2011, 11:00

Originally posted by JamJarST View Post

I disagree, if I was the client and found out that a contractor had withheld important and pertinent information that could affect the contract I would get rid.

The information is not important nor pertinent to the role. She can complete the contract just as anyone else would. This is exactly why we have discrimination laws.

I do think the client would be pissed off if you didn't disclose the pregnancy at some point so he should be told just out of common decency but at a point that it is clear it made no difference to the interview process.

Thinking about it though if the client even mentions extension or asks if you are available you would have to be honest with him.

**Pondlife** · 30 June 2011, 11:17

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

The information is not important nor pertinent to the role. She can complete the contract just as anyone else would. This is exactly why we have discrimination laws.

I do think the client would be pissed off if you didn't disclose the pregnancy at some point so he should be told just out of common decency but at a point that it is clear it made no difference to the interview process.

Thinking about it though if the client even mentions extension or asks if you are available you would have to be honest with him.

Surely your first paragraph contradicts the second. If the pregnancy will have no implact on the delivery of the contract it is none of their business.

As for the third, if they knew they wanted someone for longer they should have offered a longer contract, no?

**northernladuk** · 30 June 2011, 13:53

Originally posted by Pondlife View Post

Surely your first paragraph contradicts the second. If the pregnancy will have no implact on the delivery of the contract it is none of their business.

As for the third, if they knew they wanted someone for longer they should have offered a longer contract, no?

They don't contradict each other if you think about the timeline I suggest. There is no need at all to tell them during the selection process. It is irrelavant to the role and can open her to discrimination as you can see from JamJars comment.

Once the role is secured I see no problem in telling the client at some point. He is going to find out as she starts expanding so it would only be decent to tell them at some point. The client may feel aggrieved if he has to find out himself rather than her being upfront about it. Often the way you communicate a situation creates a very different outcome and non-communication normally creates more problems that it avoids. If she didn't tell him about this what else hasn't she told him. It's just a decent thing IMHO.

The 2nd part is purely optional and is just my opinion. He is going to find out some at sometime. It is just about avoiding possible fall out.

As for the third, if they knew they wanted someone for longer they should have offered a longer contract, no?

You are kidding right? Surely we all want to be in a position where we take a 3 month contract that turns in to years. These companies never offer longer contracts. The idea of a short one is keep the flexibility that contractors offer and then renew as business dictates. They can re-asses in three months and offer a longer one. Obviously this can (and in this case) will bite them in the ass. The assumption a contractor will stay after the first contract isn't a sound one but in reality happens a lot. Look at all the 'boomed' messages we get which are often unexpected extensions.

**psychocandy** · 1 July 2011, 08:39

Dont tell them - none of their business. OK, not that pregnancy is an illness, but would you tell them about every single possible health problem you've got just in case you end up being ill during a contract?

If she ends up missing work, bit of a bummer but I cant see how the client can be too upset. Bit disappointed maybe but thats all.

If shes early on, how do they know she didnt get pregnant after start of contract? (Or maybe they could insist on shagging just in case to make sure she fulfills the contract - LOL !!!!)

**northernladuk** · 1 July 2011, 10:36

Originally posted by psychocandy View Post

Dont tell them - none of their business. OK, not that pregnancy is an illness, but would you tell them about every single possible health problem you've got just in case you end up being ill during a contract?

True enough but it is a condition that brings extra legal responsibilities to a client co and job roles such as lifting, flying etc.

If she ends up missing work, bit of a bummer but I cant see how the client can be too upset. Bit disappointed maybe but thats all.

Again very true but your cilent is your customer and should be out to disappoint your customer. Simple communication at the right time can fix this.

I just can't help thinking out of respect it would be worth being upfront with him at some point without letting him find out himself.

**Sid** · 14 July 2011, 12:39

Re:

my gf got the job. she mentioned the pregnancy after the offer was emailed to her. The HR was all very nice and sweet about the 'good news' at that time. 2 days before her joining, they come back saying if she would rather take it up as a temp job(per hour basis) instead of a fixed term contract minus all benefits; and asking whether she will be able to handle the 'pressure'. what could be the catch here? r they trying to discourage her from taking the job, or r they just protecting their backside legally?

short term contract but expecting