How to tell your boss?

autopsycorpses

I work for a group of Doctors and my role is essential to their business.  I know that my news will not be good news for them, and also that they will need to contract someone to replace me while I am on leave. 

I am generally very well liked and respected by the group, but I worry that breaking the news inappropriately might damage our relationship.

 I have spent hours looking online for ways to tell your boss that you're pregnant, but all the articles tell you is to act professionally and to take a number of things into consideration.  This seems blatantly obvious.

Normally, forming coherent and eloquent sentences (a requirement for the type of work I do) doesn't present a problem.  However, in preparing to tell my boss the "bad news", I find myself suddenly speechless.

 Strolling into the office and stating: "Bad news, good news- I'm pregnant, but it's not yours!"  Doesn't seem like the way to go (I'm obviously trying my hand at humor here...).

How did you tell your bosses? Verbatim or similar...please help.

alegaga4u

I was in a similar spot at my company, and somebody on the 1st Tri board had suggested creating a written "plan of action" for while on maternity leave.  I wrote it in a way that I could give a copy to my manager, but that it would a;lso help serve as an outline/checklist to me as I transitioned my workload to others in teh organization. 

I basically outlined my major responsibilities and my thoughts on how they could be potentially divided up and covered by co-workers,etc.  I also left this open ended so my manager could make that decision.  I made certain to indicate my intent to return to work and to let them know that I was very appreciative of their support in my development as an employee.  I looked forward to returning 12 weeks after the birth. 

My manager was very appreciative of the thought I put into it, and took the news much better than I had anticipated.  He was actually very congratulatory and happy for me. 

GL!

ladylisalt

hmmm sounds a little stressful for you. I don't have any great advice but I like the idea of putting it in writing. I know for me anyways, I do better writing something than saying it when I am nervous. However, that may not work if you are trying to go the face to face route. In the end, they are going to be more than happy for you even if their initial reaction is not what you want. Any understanding person would be happy that you are trying to start a family.

I once had a boss that cried when I told her I was leaving.( I was not pregnant just moving on..) She made me feel so guilty because it was a small company and I was one of her few fulltime staff members. I felt horrible but knew that I was making a change no matter what. Within no time at all everytime I saw her she was saying positive things, and how proud of me she was. I am sure as soon as these doctors figure out what they will do when your gone, they will be asking you all kinds of questions about your pregnancy. Good luck! 

 

anniebugg

My advice is the same as what alegaga4u offered; create a written plan.

I told my boss without submitting a plan at first, she was very excited for me but also stressed by the prospect. I put the plan together later (after realizing it would really help the transition) and she's seemed pretty relaxed since (I'm still working).

Although our jobs (yours and mine) differ, I thought it might be helpful to share the components of my plan. It includes:

- A detailed contact list of people I contact when certain situations or needs come up 

- An outline of projects and responsibilities that may need attention while I'm away

- An outline of the "day-to-day" tasks I engage in, both formally as part of my job description and informally to support the office or my staff

- Websites, passwords, etc for things I usually take care of (ie, ordering marketing materials) that someone will need to do in my absence

- a folder on our office's shared drive where projects to be addressed when I return can be placed

Depending on your responsibilities, might it be possible to do some work in advance? I tried to prepare as much "stock" stuff as I could (ie, newsletter articles for coming months and staff announcements for known events) so that someone could just send things out when the time came but the work would be pretty much done. 

Hope that's helpful! 

autopsycorpses

Thanks for taking the time to offer some advice. 

I'm in an awkward position because I don't have an office job with a manager.  I report directly to the doctors.  They will have to hire someone from a medical temporary staffing agency because I do a highly specific type of work requiring special training and cross-coverage with existing coworkers is not possible.

I am certain that arranging my own coverage will be par for the course- I do it for all of my vacations and days off already.

I am really struggling with the wordage.  "Hi Docs, I called this meeting to let you know I'm pregnant, and due in August.  I've already arranged for X coverage.  Is there anything else I can do for you today?"  Seems rather blunt...but maybe the best...I'm just so uncertain!!!

dzdevil79

I keep rewriting this as my employer at the time of my pregnancy was ... ugh.

 

on my wish I had list:

 

- not let the office figure it out at 8weeks (how I could do that when every movement was tracked, I don't know) - I was "away from my desk for extended periods" (due to morning sickness) and ate nothing but saltines and gingerale for my entire 1st tri and a little beyond

- come up with a coherent plan including being well versed in what your company/employer entitles you to and expects of you during your pregnancy and after

- scheduling a time to sit down together away from the business and busy-ness of the day.  (I met with her in her office rather than in the more private conference room as I should have)