KWR- employer asking when you plan to get pregnant?

That shit is so illegal.

You don't respond. I'd just look at them blankly. That's so illegal, not to mention really gross.

Illegal.

Oh my goodness! How did you respond?

Definitely not legal or appropriate. I don't think I would want to work with for him permanently. Perhaps you should talk to your employment agency if that's how you were placed in this position.

If it was more a light convo like oh do you guys want kids that's one thing. But if he flat out asked like you mention that's illegal and discriminatory.

ETA: if you didn't get a perm position and someone else overheard it he could be in serious trouble.

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh they can't do that. If you really wanted to get at them, I'd ask them why they wanted to know that. They can't say it out loud if they're really thinking it because they know it's illegal, so you make them look awkward and unprofessional. Or if you weren't comfortable with that, just don't answer.

Ask him why and report him. That's illegal and gross and weird

Like everyone else said - super duper not kosher.

Even if he was just asking out of curiosity, it seemed a little creepy to me. Coworkers you know well and have worked with for awhile? Sure. But I literally JUST met this guy and this was like the second thing he ever said to me. Even though I know this type of discrimination is illegal, there's pretty much NO way to prove it. No one else was around to hear the conversation. I also have a couple friends who are lawyers who said unless he explicitly said in writing or in front of a witness "I don't want to hire you for fear you'll get pregnant" I'm out of luck. He could just deny he even asked, or say they went in another direction for completely different reasons. Honestly, I don't want to work there anyway at this point, but one of my friends actually told me she doesn't wear her engagement ring for this reason- employers make sneaky assumptions if they see a young girl and a wedding ring and she didn't want to be passed up for a promotion. So horrible

You can simply ask why he wants to know. You'd be surprised how a direct question will get a direct answer. Even though it's totally inappropriate and yes, gross, I believe it's only illegal to ask this during an interview. You should check with your HR department as well.

100% not okay. Whether he was planning on using that as a basis for employment or not, it's not his business in any way. I would have literally just stared at him for a few moments and walked away. Hopefully that'd make him feel as awkward as his question would've made me feel.

I agree. It's really hard to prove and it sucks. You're also in a precarious position as a temp hoping for a permanent placement. At least you have an idea what's going on in his mind. Write everything down for yourself with dates. If this behavior is continuous or escalates, you can start building your case.

Agree with pp. rude and illegal to ask.

I agree with @MelissaHH. Also, temps are very easy to terminate so I don't recommend taking the approach of telling him it's none of his business or inquire why he's asking.

I would change the subject as smoothly and quickly as possible. Whenever I am asked a question that i don't want to answer, I change the subject. Throw a compliment in there as quickly as possible and he'll forget all about his inappropriate question.

Something like:

Him: Are you getting pregnant right away?"

You: Oh! I almost forgot...I have a question about XXX process/task. Others are saying you're the best person to ask so i'd really like your feedback. How would you recommend I do this?

Him: Answers your question

You: Thank you! I really appreciate your feedback...

...walk away quickly

I wouldn't take the job, I would quit

This is VERY ILLEGAL!

I would go immediately to your HR representative and discuss what happened.

Your wedding and baby plans CAN NOT have an affect on your ability to be hired permanently. Also it is harassment and this kind of "conversation" even if it was intended to be benign should not be tolerated.

ETA: your status within the company should not change your action (temp, full time, part time). This is not appropriate. Also do NOT avoid this issue. That is worse than confronting him directly. I always tell my students in your career you have to decide what is worth going to bat for.

Double post

I believe it's actually illegal (in MA anyway) to ask someone this question when considering a job position.

To clarify what others have said, it is not illegal to ask about pregnancy, but it is illegal to make it a factor in a hiring decision (as it is with any protected class, like religion or sexual orientation) which is why smart employers stay away from it during interviews.