Pregnant After Accepting Job Offer: Will My New Employer Still Hire Me?

Hi Folks,

I have received and accepted a job offer from a reputed company. Subsequently, I realized that I am a month pregnant. Out of ethical considerations, I informed the potential employer a few days after accepting the offer. I am concerned if there is a possibility that they might refuse to hire me.

Pregnancy and Employment: Legal Considerations

Statutorily, pregnancy is not a disqualification for appointment as an employee in industrial employment. However, the statutory obligation to provide maternity leave discourages employers from recruiting pregnant women afresh. After the enhancement of maternity leave to 26 weeks, not only are employers hesitant, but they also indulge in coercive moves to ask women to resign the moment they become aware of the pregnancy. Particularly, if it is the initial stage of the appointment, the cancellation of the job offer is certainly the consequence.

However, there may be exceptions. The attitude of the employers and the nature and responsibilities of the job offered are factors in this regard. As such, one cannot give a definite answer to the poster's query either way.