Currently 7 months pregnant and due date is mid-Feb 2022. Been interviewing for a few months but a job with an early startup came through. Had initial discussion with the hiring manager to get a sense of offer. Technically taking a slight pay cut and step down in title but more interesting work and space and potential equity upside in high growth mode. My current job is ok to cruise at but no growth in comp and title (and I'm getting bored/frustrated). I have another round of interviews this week and this role is a lateral move (same title), no equity but cash plus bonus is 25% higher than my current comp. So I'm asking for advice on how to negotiate a higher offer (for either companies) and a start date, given I will need to go on maternity leave in 2 months. I'm not sure how to approach those two points. Ideally I can start in May next year after I take maternity leave with my current company. But I'm open to start the new role before my leave if they are ok with me taking 3 months off. Should I start with the offer negotiation first? Then discuss my maternity leave? Or discuss leave first and see what they think? I'm keen to secure a new role before my maternity leave because I'm afraid it will take me even longer to find a new job after I take my leave next year. I know this might be a long shot but hope to hear what people suggest. Thank you!
I was in the same boat few years ago. I was 5 months along and given a chance I would stick with my current company because the new start up I joined laid me off as soon as they got a chance on the pretext that I would take sometime off. (I was 8 months along). It was tough to look for an opportunity with a new baby. I wish you the best but I would let them know about potential leave first and see how they take it.( You will always have an opportunity to go to your current employer if the new one does not take it well or does not account for your experience in terms of TC). Although pregnancy is protected it is hard to find an employer who respects it.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I'll tread carefully then. Did they lay you off before you were going to take leave? That's quite disheartening....
Yes they laid me off 3 weeks before I was eligible to take the state eligible leave
Bump (no pun intended)
Congratulations! I know pregnancy is protected under law, but I would never feel comfortable bringing it up before signing an offer. I’m a newish dad, and I avoided bringing up that I’d need paternity leave shortly after joining Apple. In hindsight, I think it would have been fine, but it still felt risky at the time. That said, it could also be a good litmus test against toxicity in your next team to tell them you will need leave right after joining.
Congrats to you too! ❤️ With the start-up I do have an offer at hand but I want to negotiate for a bump in TC and at the same reveal my pregnancy. I don't know how to approach both. I definitely don't want to forego a pay bump just because of my leave.
Thanks! I’m not sure the best course here. I’m thinking I’d negotiate first, which is likely a separate phone call before the final offer is in front of you. Then you can call them right before about the leave need when the numbers are finalized