The Bert Show — Vault: She's Afraid To Tell Her Employer She's Pregnant (Feb 25, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, The Bert Show team discusses the sensitive topic of pregnancy disclosure in the workplace, focusing on a listener who is afraid to tell her employer she’s pregnant. The hosts and callers share personal stories, legal perspectives, and explore the realities and stigmas women face regarding pregnancy at work. The conversation touches on employment law, discrimination, health insurance complications, and societal attitudes, creating a nuanced look at why many women feel compelled to hide their pregnancies from employers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener’s Situation & Initial Reactions

• [02:00] Co-host Holly introduces the listener’s issue: she's pregnant, feels she needs to hide it from her employer, and is unsure of her rights.
• The show expresses appreciation that listeners feel comfortable bringing these types of personal and legal questions to them.

“You don't have to have crazy problems. You just have a question you can't answer. We're your birdapedia.” — Co-Host or Expert [02:42]

2. Personal Stories: Job Loss & Health Insurance Impact

• [02:49] Caller shares her experience: She told her employer about her pregnancy and was laid off the following week, losing her health insurance during her pregnancy.
  • She warns others of the potential consequences of disclosure, especially in “right to work” states.
  • Discussion about Georgia as a "no fault" or at-will employment state, allowing employers to fire employees without giving a specific reason.

“I decided to tell them. And the next week I was laid off. And I was left throughout my whole pregnancy with no health insurance.” — Caller [02:49]

• [04:24] Caller highlights difficulties in obtaining new health insurance due to pregnancy being considered a pre-existing condition at the time, making Medicaid the only option.

3. The Reality of Pregnancy Discrimination

• Hosts discuss how employers often view pregnant employees as problematic due to anticipated absences and the need for maternity leave.
• Hosts speculate that some companies might avoid hiring women of childbearing age altogether, leading to discriminatory practices.

“Unfortunately, I think too many companies see women who are pregnant as a problem.” — Co-Host Bert [04:54]

4. Societal and Gendered Workplace Challenges

• [06:03] They note the double standard when it comes to leave for new fathers versus new mothers.
  • Male hosts recount their own (limited) paternity leave experiences, often met with little support or encouragement.

“They'll pat the guy in the back like, congratulations on the new kid or whatever. But somebody had to have that kid. … I think it's so unfair.” — Co-Host Bert [06:03]

• Discussion on the persistent greater obstacles women face in the workforce.

“Is it harder to be a guy or is it harder to be a woman? Oh, man, it's not even close, dude. It's so much harder to be a woman.” — Co-Host Holly [06:17]

5. The Legal Perspective: Rights, Protections, and Loopholes

• [08:11] Caller Kate (voice disguised) clarifies:
  • Not hiring women because they could get pregnant is illegal.
  • The HIPAA law protects medical privacy; employees are not required to disclose pregnancy.
  • "Right to work" (at-will employment) still allows claims if discrimination is provable.
  • COBRA and other options exist to continue insurance after job loss, but pre-existing condition penalties and gaps can punish pregnant women.

“You don't have to tell them ... HIPAA protects you from telling them it's a medical condition.” — Kate, Caller [09:39]

6. Real-World Discriminatory Hiring Practices

• [10:22] Caller “John” (voice disguised): Shares that his boss instructed him to hire only post-menopausal women to avoid potential maternity leaves, regardless of skills or qualifications.
  • The hosts express shock and frustration at this blatant discrimination.
  • Acknowledgment this is not an isolated case, but rather a systemic issue in some businesses.

“I was told ... that I could not hire anyone younger, anyone that could still potentially have a [child]. I had to hire an older lady that was like post menopausal.” — Caller John [10:45]

7. High-Profile Example & Societal Implications

• Hosts bring up Sarah Palin, who reportedly hid her pregnancy while serving as Alaska governor, only announcing it in her seventh month and returning to work three days after giving birth.
  • Raises questions about pressure on women to “minimize” pregnancy at work and the unrealistic expectations it can create for others.

“Sarah Palin was back on Friday. She delivered on Tuesday. Three days.” — Co-Host or Expert [12:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm always torn here because we've heard that Georgia is one of those no fault states ... but in a case like this, it sure seems like that wouldn't be legal.” — Co-Host Holly [03:20]
• “Especially now ... it's like a buyer's market. Unemployment is high, there's a lot of people available for jobs ... You could probably be that picky if you were that much of a…” — Co-Host or Expert [05:38]
• "You made the right call... If it's your wife's first kid, go plan on a week (off work). Don't be dumb." — Co-Host or Expert [07:29]
• “So you have to hire—basically what they're saying is: hire the less qualified, non-fertile woman than the woman that could help our business.” — Co-Host Holly [10:56]
• Laughter and light moments interspersed with a serious tone when discussing rights and real stories of discrimination.

Important Timestamps

• [02:00] – Listener’s situation introduced; beginning of main discussion.
• [02:49] – First real-life story of job loss after revealing pregnancy.
• [04:24] – Explanation of insurance issues and Medicaid options.
• [06:03-06:17] – Gender double standards at work; personal stories from hosts.
• [08:11] – Legal insights on rights, HIPAA, and insurance.
• [10:22] – Caller “John” describes direct discriminatory hiring orders from his boss.
• [11:38] – Discussion of Sarah Palin’s concealed pregnancy and rapid return to work.

Conclusion: Episode Takeaways

• The episode powerfully showcases how fear of discrimination leads some women to hide pregnancies at work.
• Pregnant employees are legally protected, but loopholes and at-will employment can be used against them.
• Health insurance complexities and out-of-date policies create additional hardship for expectant mothers.
• Real stories and listener calls reinforce that gender-based discrimination is far from rare, even as it often goes unspoken.
• Societal expectations and cultural narratives, like the discussion around Sarah Palin, fuel unrealistic pressures on working mothers.

Listeners are left with a greater understanding of the difficult choices women face about pregnancy in the workplace and the need for ongoing conversations about fairness and legal protections.