Being on Centrelink Benefits in Early Pregnancy
Ok, so Centrelink know that I am pregnant, they should also know how hard it is for pregnant women to find a new job.
Yes, I left my job in QLD to look for work in NSW, with intentions of going back if I failed to find suitable work. That was before I found out about my pregnancy. I did have confidence that with 19 months bar work experience, my RSA and RCG that I was sure to get something.
I decided not to go back to QLD as there are better facilities here in Newcastle and a much better range of friends that are helping me through this.
Not long after notifying Centrelink of my pregnancy, they handed me a job diary to record 10 jobs per fortnight for 6 fortnights. I am now up to fortnight 5 and I have had no luck. Only a couple of times I have been called back in to see the employer but still nothing.
I really don’t think it is fair that most employers won’t employ pregnant women. I do understand however that you are restricted during pregnancy of what you can do and with only four to five months work in you, are you reliable? How many sick days and hospital trips will you be making?
I didn’t fall pregnant for the money; or to stay out of the workforce, it was accidental but why should any of that matter. I am sure that if a woman falls pregnant and has worked a while before that and can still work at that particular place then why can’t we find jobs just as easy.
I understand why pregnancy has made it hard for me to find work but until I am 7 ½ months Centrelink have no idea and I don’t think they really care.
Terrie