Job hunting while trying to start a family
Has anyone started at a new company while trying to get pregnant? Have you accepted a job offer and gotten pregnant soon after? Context: We’re actively trying to start a family. My current workplace is good but the work is not challenging anymore. I’ve become good and comfortable with what I do. I recently interviewed and turned down three great offers that pay better. Two mentioned that maternity benefits kick in only after a year (CA law) and the other startup had no mention of these benefits anywhere. I don’t want to delay starting a family. YOE: 8 yoe TC: 275K
Why not take a year off? You will be in pain, sleep deprived, and only want to spend time with your newborn. Don't let American companies jerk you around and give you only 2 weeks off. Take the maternity leave at your old company and then quit after. It is very simple to explain to a recruiter that you spent a year with the priority of starting your family in the right foot
This
Not everyone has an option to take time off work. Specially if you are in the country on a work visa.
The OP sounds very excited about loss of sleep, changing diapers, loss of personal time and freedom to do pursue other interests, and constant crying noises!
Bit it worth it when you grow up and find yourself lonely
I agree. Old, sick and alone sucks! Off topic I guess, but I just don't get how so many of us pretend how exciting it is to have kids, while the real reason is to not be alone during old age. True at least in some cultures.
Uhh, If i have kids they had better not live within 100 miles of either where they were born or where I live. They need their own lives. I was just the vehicle that wiped their shit until they could. Dragging your kids youth away from them is called narcissism
If your current company has good maternity policy then I would advice to stick with it until u use it. Firstly in new company u cannot take full maternity leave until u finish 12 months of job. Secondly, some teammates/managers can be jerk if they know that you got pregnant immediately after joining the team. If you are comfortable in current work environment, that's good. You will need that comfort during pregnancy.
Get your facts right
There are companies where you can take maternity immediately after joining. No need to complete 12 months. Target such organizations. Take your chances, if company doesn’t support these benefits just move on. Don’t work for such douchebags. Irony is how tech industry talk about equality but make such policies to make our lives difficult. All the best OP!
It’s better to stay at your job. You don’t want too many moving pieces in life at once. Once you’re comfortable with the new family situation, start looking out. You seem talented, getting an offer shouldn’t be hard. Also @chakor has a valid point.
Stay put. Deliver. Then move. Simple!
There are two parts of maternity leave. PFL benefits (CA state) 6-8 weeks paid leave you are eligible for, from day 1. Employer parental leave policy will be in addition to that(May or may not be available from day1) Second part is FMLA that guarantees job security and up-to 12 months unpaid leave. To qualify for FMLA, you need to complete 12 months before you deliver the baby. So make sure you are asking the questions to the right person when you receive an offer.
What you mean by benefits kick in only after a year (CA law)? Do u mean if I start working and I got pregnant and become in labor before a year pass I should pay for hospital fees ?