Greg Gillman’s Post

I was with you until you said "disease or condition". As a person who has a disability, it's concerning to me because there are people who do the same with a disability for fear of not getting the job. I know you didn't mean it to be derogatory toward people who have a "disease" or "condition"; however, it's truly the reason why so many people who have a disability don't speak up.

Well, my experience was very similar . I joined Triburg at 28 to start a new business and already had a child. Didn’t have immediate plans of having a 2nd one . However I was pregnant ,2 months into the job and wanted to resign because I felt that a new business needed me 100% full time for a longer period. When I talked about my resignation, the CEO Said Why ? I said I am pregnant. He said? That’s all?? Do you plan to work after your baby? I said absolutely Yes. Then he said. What’s the problem then, the company and the business and your family will all grow together:-)) .He ensured I had every kind of support for the next year to cope with my pregnancy and the baby. Well 28 years later, I am still here, thriving and enjoying what I do:-)) and many people in my team have had their babies and come back to continue working just like I did.

I lost my job after I found out I was pregnant with my son and struggled finding a permanent position. I went through that pregnancy without a partner by my side. I feared how I was going to raise a little boy on my own with no job to support us which put a lot of stress on me. I have since found a job at Mercury Marine that supports my lifestyle as a single mom. They allowed me to continue to work remote and move back to Minnesota to be closer to family. They have also been understanding dealing with challenges with sickness and loss of daycare. That coupled with the flexibility of my schedule allows me to thrive not only on my career but also as a mother. With all that I have received from my current employer I have also given them so much as well. I make sure the LMS functions properly and is more user friendly so technicians and employees can get their training. I have brought interactive and engaging elements to training. And I have taken on the role of developing customized 3D animated videos and images to support our training needs. I bring a lot of value to my team and have helped our department come a long way in my time with Mercury. #momsinbusiness #shecan #valuable #momswithcareers

In my job seeking history I’ve been asked directly or indirectly if I was planning on having a family. I was in my 20s at the time but I don’t imagine it was legal to ask. I am certain that male candidates for the same position weren’t asked this question. I’ve also been told that a coworker deserved more money for the same job because they had children while I did not. Women have been penalized for years-for having kids and for not having them. I won in the end; had a good career and retired to enjoy the good life!

For medical reasons, some women don't share their pregnancy news until they pass the early 4+ months (1st and 2nd trimester) with commonly high rates of miscarriage. It has nothing to do with broadcasting personal health status, but preserving their own privacy for their own sanity should it occur (again without having to divulge something so personal amidst strangers). Some OB/GYNs will even advise women not to share their pregnancy health status until at least that critical second trimester or for some, after fetus viability outside the womb in the last trimester. I don't blame them one bit. I'm surprised no one has thought of putting a woman's privacy first vs. "just anyone's desire to know". This is especially true for any who have dealt with the highly emotional process of infertility and assisted fertilization over several *years* (close friends). It’s no one’s business to share that level of information with strangers, until they are comfortable they will have a successful live birth in the 3rd trimester.

This is not the woke post you think it is

While the language in the end of this post is quite improperly articulated. However, I do agree to the crux of it. I'd like to share that I've been fortunate to have worked for employers, clients and colleagues who've been very supportive and inclusive. But would like to add - Going on maternity is another assignment for Newborn care and Postpartum recovery, having support is all the more essential and plays a big role in ensuring talent retention. It's sad to see that even now some organizations do not offer Maternity benefits, and others who do...have the Unpaid Maternity Leave policy... which is brutal! And depicts the perception about Maternity as "Vacationing".

This really touched me. I had to hide my pregnancy on several occasions because I knew that it was a huge possibility I would get rejected. I came into work through my contractions and all during the pandemic. I asked my supervisor who would take leave from time to time because his wife just had a baby and he would take his 6 weeks Intermittently, if I could work from home. His response was always… “sure as soon as we have some work for you to do at home”… that time never came but my baby did. I was a dedicated employee that didn’t want to leave my team hanging but wasn’t given the opportunity to work from home when 90% of the team and workforce was already working from home. It is very disheartening when women have to hide or choose their children/pregnancy over career, when jobs are cabable of allowing remote work. A lot of times companies are missing out on some of their best employees.

I always felt like I had to choose between being a mom or having a career. Now that I'm back in college and working my way into a new field I'm finding myself almost culture-shocked working with organizations that actually let you prioritize your family. Need to go pick up your kid because they are sick? No problem! Need to take a day off to attend to a family matter? Of course, do what you need to. Before it was job first then family and that's the attitude employers EXPECTED. If you wanted to keep your job everything else had to go on the back burner. It's a refreshing change!