Expectation to disclose children in interview? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is it expected for job candidates to disclose their status as a parent in interviews? I am currently in the final interviews with a job opportunity that I am very excited about, and that part of my personal life has not come up organically. Should I try to find a way to slip it in in upcoming interviews? If I get the job, I don't want it to look like I purposefully concealed that aspect of my personal life, but it also feels strange to offer it up if a good opportunity to do so doesn't present itself.

[hdr]

Being a parent is normal and not something that one needs to "disclose" if it doesn't come up naturally. Most supervisors should understand if you're facing kid challenges while working from home or if you need to leave the office before 6pm. If you think you'll be perceived negatively for doing standard parenting duties you probably don't want to work there.

[Anonymous User]

Being a parent is normal and not something that one needs to "disclose" if it doesn't come up naturally. Most supervisors should understand if you're facing kid challenges while working from home or if you need to leave the office before 6pm. If you think you'll be perceived negatively for doing standard parenting duties you probably don't want to work there.

Anon here: OK, thanks! Agreed -- they seem very family friendly, so I'm not really worried about negative perceptions. I just want to make sure I'm not missing some sort of professional courtesy/expectation.

[polareagle]

No, you're not expected to disclose, and they *shouldn't* ask--in many states (along with federal hiring) discrimination in hiring based on familial status is illegal, and if they ask you they're opening themselves up to suit. That's one of the topics (along with religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.) that any competent interviewer will avoid. That being said, attorneys aren't always competent interviewers!

[nixy]

^yes, this - they can’t take that into consideration when hiring you so they shouldn’t ask about it. If you want to bring it up to see what reaction you get you can, but there also isn’t any expectation that you’d discuss it at all. And frankly if they’re not bringing it up in any way it could look weird to drag it into the conversation.