First Time Mom: Career Mamas When to Tell your Job

knottie5438f0c2771ccce8

Hi all,

I am a first time expecting mom. I am really early in my pregnancy; 5 weeks. My company is starting talking and enforcing is coming back to the office. I have been having pretty bad morning sickness and I have some concerns about covid being asthmatic. Before my pregnancy I would of been completely okay coming in. I work well from home and it just allows me to deal with any sickness I feel privately. My question to the corporate mamas out here what do you think I should do? Should I talk with HR first then let my manager know.

Advice is welcome! Thanks in advance

sejica

Welcome!

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Looking forward to you being part of the November 22 moms!

PurplePumpernickel

Ok, I'm going to take initiative and bump this thread.

Last time around, I told a few close friends in my office. I had a close friend who had done IVF the year before, and both mine are IVF, so she knew the whole process. I had another close friend who walked into my office when I was very weak and very nauseous and she asked if I needed anything from CVS, so I asked her for giner ale an saltines. So, kind of a dead giveaway.

As for my supervisors, I waited until after the first trimester. I was an executive assistant, and was actually going to transition into a new role the following September, so we had already been planning for my departure and had hired someone as my direct report who would likely be promoted into my EA role, so I was happy to have a plan.

This time I want to try to wait again, although I have several evening work events over the next few weeks with my boss, and evenings are my worst time, so we'll see. We're also picking up more work in my department and MAY be getting a new hire who will report to me, but we haven't gotten approval for the funding. If we do, that will make things a little easier. If not, well. It won't.

carryon

HR pro here (Dec 2022 mom)...do what is most comfortable for you.  HR can be a good place to start - it is our responsibility to hold information in confidence and provide you with the information you need about the company.  I've had employees come speak to me before TTC to inquire about benefits & leave or come speak to me first about these things before talking to their supervisor.  I provide them with the information they need (in writing) and advise them that I will not tell anyone, but do recommend they speak to their supervisor directly when they are ready to do so.  Most wait to tell their supervisors until after the first trimester.  If someone was not comfortable discussing directly with their supervisor, I would be comfortable informing them at the employee's direction.  

You mentioned a concern about COVID...you could also use that as an opener to discuss with HR and build some rapport if you do not already have it.  Your company should have a written COVID plan or policy that may address some concerns.

Best of luck!

bkk2cville

Because of the nature of my job (veterinary technician), I felt I had to tell work pretty much as soon as I knew (4 weeks). There are a lot of risk factors in what I do, so I would either have to become oddly and specifically lazy out of nowhere, or tell them what's up. Fortunately, they've been really great and accommodating thus far. It was definitely a bit nerve-wracking telling them so early, but obviously, have to put baby's needs first! The other upside to telling work super early was that DH and I felt that we could share with friends and family, since it seemed ridiculous for only the people at my work to know.

knottiedb8bc1e0bba11b41

I work in a garage with lots of paint fumes, gasoline, glue, loud and stinky exhausts and I’m on my feet all day. My husband and I decided to wait until our first ultrasound to tell them but it’s killing me because I am nervous every day about being around everything.