“There are laws and guidelines in place to ensure employers continue to treat women fairly,” said the spokesperson. “The new Workplace Fairness Act, which has been passed in Parliament, builds on the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to further strengthen protections against discrimination on the basis of sex, marital status, pregnancy status and caregiving responsibilities, and will take effect in the next year or two.”
TAFEP said that jobseekers are not legally required to disclose their pregnancy but may choose to do so with their prospective employer. “Having an open conversation sets clear expectations for work deliverables and fosters trust and understanding between both parties.”
Eugenia Ng, director at recruitment consultancy Michael Page Singapore, said that even though potential employers can’t ask candidates if they are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, “unfortunately in Asia, there are still many interviewers who ask this question”.
If you are at the receiving end of such a question, Ng suggested responding politely but professionally: ‘I’m not comfortable answering personal questions about my pregnancy plans. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to this role and am fully committed to performing my job responsibilities. I am happy to discuss my qualifications and experience in more detail’.
“This response helps maintain professionalism and focuses the conversation back on your qualifications, while also setting a boundary regarding personal questions,” said Ng. “If such questions make you feel uncomfortable, you can politely decline but consider whether the company’s culture aligns with your values.”