Pregnant? Job Hunting? Confront Stereotypes Immediately
Pregnancy News
Obie Editorial Team
Perspectives:
The applicants applied for retail positions where jobs were openly available at 161 different retail stores in three malls in a major metropolitan area. The study explored how often a pregnant applicant was allowed to complete an application and what kinds of interpersonal discrimination, if any, was shown toward the applicant. Discriminatory behaviors of the interviewers included:
The research confirmed that pregnant job applicants are indeed treated with less respect than applicants who are not pregnant. It also revealed the pregnant job applicants fared much better when pregnancy was revealed in the interview process than did those who remained silent about their pregnancies. Those who openly revealed pregnancy were three times less likely to face discrimination than those who did not. Furthermore, when two specific areas of concern were immediately addressed in relation to the job applicant’s pregnancy - flexibility and level of personal commitment - the pregnant job applicants faced the least discrimination.
Whitney Botsford Morgan, lead author of the study’s findings, says discrimination toward pregnant job applicants is no secret but applicant behaviors during the interview process can help overcome it. “Statements that refute stereotypes about being inflexible and lacking commitment are particularly effective,” according to Morgan.
For best results, the pregnant job applicant is advised to acknowledge these stereotypes and confront them immediately when the interview process begins.
The September 2013 issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology carries full details of the study.
Source: Brooks, Chad. “Pregnant and Looking for Work? Attack Stereotypes Head-On.” Business News Daily. Tech Media Network. Dec 14, 2013. Web. Dec 29, 2013.