Is my employment agency legally allowed to refuse me interviews because I am pregnant?

Should I tell them I am 3 months pregnant? I have a job interview tomorrow and was wondering whether to tell the interviewer. Word will get back to my employment agency and I don't want them to refuse me interviews. I know EMPLOYERS aren't allowed to do this but is the same true for agencies?

No.

It's not their business, say nothing !

The same applies to agencies. If you are denied interviews based on being pregnant, that is against the law. If they knowingly deny the interview and you can get any documentation of this event, you have a lawsuit on your hands. Good luck, and enjoy your pregnancy!

The rules are the same, but in reality!!!

no they are not..but then again why would they recommend you to a potential employer when they know you will be there a short time & then need maternity leave. dont think the agency would be used by them again..do you?

tell them because it will show honesty but if you feel discriminated take legal action

No, neither an employer nor an agency can discriminate on the grounds of pregnancy.

Good luck and hope all goes well x

Nope! In fact, there was an employment agency in my town who was sued by two women for discrimination.
I've went to interviews through an agency when I was obviously pregnant!! If it's a temp agency, why should they care?? They could still get 6 months of work from you, and I've had temp assignments that lasted only weeks.

No , in this day an age I would speak to Citizans advise or a solicitor specialised in employment as your employment agency are preveniting you from finding work.

See a solicitor for advise , its 2007 remember x

They can tell the companies you are pregnant, and they can decide to choose someone eles.......... They cant deny you interviews but they can decide they dont want you.

If you do not tell them that is grounds for replacement......... It asks on the apps........ is there anything that could interfere with your job performance and attendance. Its always best to be open and honest so u dont burn your employment bridges.

Put yourself in their shoes......... they are going to waste money on you training you, and once you are trained you will be leaving to have the baby........... so there they are STUCK and forced to train someone eles.

If you are in your second trimester, you should tell them.

They can't refuse you interviews. However, employers may not be interested in someone who'll only be there for a few months.

It's bad timing, but good luck.

Hate to break it to you, but pregnancy is not covered by discrimination laws; however, the fact that you are a woman and pregnancy is related to that does give cause to file suit...depending on the lawyer you would talk to this could be deemed discrimination based on gender.
Anyone has the right to refuse you interviews. You should look into the contract you have with the employment agencies and see what it says.
Most women prefer to keep quite about being pregnant until they have the job. Then the case of discrimination becomes stronger.

They cannot. They know this. Good luck. If you live in the USA and have no insurance, I think most states do not allow insurance companies to use pregnancy as a preexisting condition to refuse coverage. So you are not decieving anyone by not telling them you are pregnant.

Don't tell them! It would be best if you don't tell them at this stage, just let them find out when you start showing. They can't refuse you interviews because your pregnant, but they don't have to tell you why they are not going to hire you! So just keep it to yourself right now, until your hired, then you can tell them! Good Luck!

I think that s discrimination! Don't stand for it, seek legal advice.

Don't bring it up unless specifically asked, and don't deny it if you are asked. If you deny it and then they find out, that's grounds for termination. They can then make the determination about hiring you based of the truthful information you gave them. Some companies really don't care about you being pregnant, as long as you can do the job very well for 6 months and only take 6 weeks off.

I have had that happen to me and even though you know they did it because your preg. you won't be able to prove it. So don't say anything right now. But if your needing health care benfits keep in mind most companys won't pay for any preterm things like they wont cover the baby being born. Just as a side note. Good luck with interview!

Intersting, uninformed responses here. A prosepctive employer is allowed to determine if you would be able to perform the job being considered whilst you are pregnant. If you do not disclose this to an prospective employer and then you are not able to perform that job due to your pregnancy, they may terminate you for that "deception". This is NOT the same as becoming pregnant after you are in the employ of a company.

Starting a job at 3 months pregnant you will not be entitled to maternity pay from them. But this does not mean that you should not be considered for employment.

Are you looking for permanent or temporary employment - my company have had temporary workers from agencies who are pregnant many a time.

hmm u need to tell them huni

In the UK this would count as sex discrimination.

You don't need to tell anyone that you are pregnant, and neither they can't ask you. Go to your interview, period.
Worry about being a productive and good hard working girl.

that depends on what kind of work you do, i.e if you are a plant operator/bricklayer, they probably won't recommend you and it would be irresponsible of them to do so, however if you do office work, there shouldn't be a problem and it would be illegal of them to refuse you interviews, I am asuming that you do temping work? in which case any employer would have no reason to turn you down if you interview well, as they would be under no obligation to pay for you maternity leave or keep your job open for you. But please ignore advice not to inform your employers of you pregnancy, there are health and saftey issues regarding pregnant women that employers must adhere to, (did you know that photocopier toner is toxic to an unborn child?) and if they don't know, they can't be held responsible if something goes wrong. however I would wait until an offer of employment is made, that way they cannot say you weren't good enough! good luck.