i found out that i am pregnant just a week ago! I was just planning to go back to work and now I am hesitating.........plus I have pretty bad morning sickness last week (but it now seems to have subsided a bit). I heard that it is better to rest up till 3 months, where most of the uncomforts will go away. Is that true?
Start work only after 1st trimester?
- Thread starter vpoon01
- Start date
I think it's a personal thing. I was exhausted through most of my first trimester and did what I could to get plenty of rest, but I kept working, and have just given up work now (at 32 weeks) beceause it's just too much!
I think it all depends on you and your pregnancy- some people work the entire 9-10 months, others might cut back, and others stop working at different stages throughout.
I think it all depends on you and your pregnancy- some people work the entire 9-10 months, others might cut back, and others stop working at different stages throughout.
pinemarten
Registered User
Don't feel pressured to live up to other people's expectations of what's normal, one way or another. Consider how important your job is to you and how much you enjoy (or hate) it.
Also, it might depend on whether you already have a job lined up, or if you will be applying for jobs. I can't imagine there is an employer in HK who will give you a job if they know you are pregnant (sorry if that sounds a bit harsh, but I work in the HR dept of a fairly big company and I know full well that this happens - sad but true). If you are sure you want to work and need to apply for jobs I would do it now. BUT, if you don't need to work (either financially or emotionally) then I wouldn't bother. I'd love to stop working and stay home and decorate the nursery...
@vpoon01
I'm pretty much in the same situation. I'm pregnant 10 th week and I want to apply for a job, but as I'm a foreigner and new in Hong Kong I do not know if you have a law which protects the pregnant women and mothers.
@geiboyi
Maybe geiboyi can tell more about this! Do employers ask whether you are pregnant? Do you have to answer "Yes"? In my home country pregnant women do not need to answer this question. Even if they lie and they get the job, they will be protected by the law. The employer can not dismiss you.
When do you have to tell your employer that you are pregnant?
I'm pretty much in the same situation. I'm pregnant 10 th week and I want to apply for a job, but as I'm a foreigner and new in Hong Kong I do not know if you have a law which protects the pregnant women and mothers.
@geiboyi
Maybe geiboyi can tell more about this! Do employers ask whether you are pregnant? Do you have to answer "Yes"? In my home country pregnant women do not need to answer this question. Even if they lie and they get the job, they will be protected by the law. The employer can not dismiss you.
When do you have to tell your employer that you are pregnant?
Any decent HR professional should not ask you if you are or are planning to get pregnant.
If you are not yet showing, you need not answer this question, if asked, nor volunteer this information.
It may also be wise to withold this information until the probation period has been completed. Once your employment is confirmed, it is illegal to terminate a pregnant member of staff.
As regards any maternity benefits, you will not be entitled to paid leave. The mandatory 10 week leave will likely be unpaid.
If you are not yet showing, you need not answer this question, if asked, nor volunteer this information.
It may also be wise to withold this information until the probation period has been completed. Once your employment is confirmed, it is illegal to terminate a pregnant member of staff.
As regards any maternity benefits, you will not be entitled to paid leave. The mandatory 10 week leave will likely be unpaid.
I was pregnant when I just started work for about 3 weeks and I was still in probation time; and I was 5 weeks pregnant.
I was felt really bad about my friend feeling as she was the one who referred me to this company. So I did told her and told the boss. Fantastically, the company was OK with it and even give me few hours free for my check up in MCHC (everytime I need it, and I have to give them the hospital letter that I attend the session). And the company did give me all benefits. But I was resigned from this company soon before given birth and now doing my job as a housewife.
I was felt really bad about my friend feeling as she was the one who referred me to this company. So I did told her and told the boss. Fantastically, the company was OK with it and even give me few hours free for my check up in MCHC (everytime I need it, and I have to give them the hospital letter that I attend the session). And the company did give me all benefits. But I was resigned from this company soon before given birth and now doing my job as a housewife.
when i went to talk to companies, i told them about my situation when i was given an offer. All the companies i have talked to did not have a problem with it. I don't think being pregnant should stop people from getting hired......as long as you perform the job well and are qualified for the position!
carolina78
Registered User
Hi everyone
I worked with a company for 5 months (still in probation), told my boss about my pregnancy (27weeks at the time), and got laid off the week after. Long story short tell, I'm going through legal now (both labour department and EOC) and very well- responsed from both sides. Apparently my "international" company doesn't have a clue of what's the law here. Pregnant employees are well protected in HK, provided that you have been in the company for more than 12 weeks, you have not done any serious misconduct and have served notice of pregnancy before the dismissal.
I worked with a company for 5 months (still in probation), told my boss about my pregnancy (27weeks at the time), and got laid off the week after. Long story short tell, I'm going through legal now (both labour department and EOC) and very well- responsed from both sides. Apparently my "international" company doesn't have a clue of what's the law here. Pregnant employees are well protected in HK, provided that you have been in the company for more than 12 weeks, you have not done any serious misconduct and have served notice of pregnancy before the dismissal.