How should I break the news to the whole office?

mrsjparker · March 2010

Does anyone have any fun, clever ways to tell everyone at my office at once? I've already talked with my direct supervisor and a few close work friends and I would hate to send an email or bring everyone else to the break room for my little announcement. I plan on telling them after my appointment next Monday (follow up post to "I'm not as far along as I thought" will also follow that appointment). Just looking for suggestions.

MissNikki007 · March 2010

Are you close with all of your co-workers or something?

I guess I just don't understand the need to do a cutesy work announcement.

Aloe0l · March 2010

Personally, I don't plan on "announcing" it at work at all. I've told who I feel need to know and the rest will just find out once they see me growing.

Otherwise, if you don't want to schedule something specifically to tell people, does your office hold regular staff meetings? That would be an appropriate time to let them know.

sefaniee · March 2010

I'm sure mine will be word of mouth. I'll tell those I'm closed to but no big announcement for me. It was the same way when I got married in August. I don't like half the people I work with anyway.

chach916 · March 2010

i dont understand either. I'll probably just tell my boss and let it trickle down.

Spacebunny19 · March 2010

every office is different.

mine has me, two other attorneys, and two staff. there are five of us total. when i tell, i will tell the partners first (the other attorneys) and tell them to let me tell the staff myself. it's four people to tell, so i don't have to worry about it taking a long time telling everyone.

mrsjparker · March 2010

I wouldn't say we were close, but I work with about 7 older ladies that will be slightly hurt if I left them out. It's not a very big office and they older ladies are the "mother hen" type. I am really just trying to avoid having to make 7 separate announcements and listen to everyone "ooh and ahh" all over me.

hippotree · March 2010

I had several very good friends at work when I was pg with my first. So I made cookies and had everyone come to my office to celebrate a special occasion, and told them then. I met separately with my bosses and HR and told them in a more serious tone.

This time (I work in a different office now) I will just tell my bosses and let word get around.

mrsjenni · March 2010

With #1, I worked in a different department that was much bigger so I didn't have to tell anyone except for my boss and a few friends. I just let everyone else find out through word-of-mouth.

But this time, I work in a very small office (less then 10 people in my department) so it's not like I could just let them find out on their own... but I also didn't want to go door-to-door either.

I made them Rice Krispies Treats and mixed in little baby sprinkles (rattles, carriages, etc.) and sat them in our lunch room with a note that said:

"Another little Phillies fan is on the way, Baby M___ #2 is due in May!"

Gummybear · March 2010

I don't get this either. I told my boss and his boss and my BFF at work and let everyone else figure it out for themselves. But I guess I don't know your office culture, at mine it would be very strange.

That being said, I have seen girls bring in baby-themed cookies or cupcakes to give to all their coworkers.

*Candi* · March 2010

zukolivie:

My only concern for you would be that if someone has been struggling with infertility or having miscarriages, your announcement could be hurtful and potentially damaging to your career.

IDK about damaging your career, but this is the reason that I am nervous about telling people here. I know someone who has struggled and saw the look on her face last week when we discussed her BFF getting pg. It wasn't pretty.

skyejo · March 2010

One girl on my birth month board was planning on bringing in donuts/bagels for the office with a note on the box that said "from so-and-so and baby." I thought that was a cute way to announce it.

I will only be telling my close coworkers and management. My office has over 100 employees, many of whom I don't even know their names, so they will find out once I start showing.

jadeks1031 · March 2010

I have a department of about 10. I told my boss in person and then just emailed everyone else. It resulted in a gathering in my cube, but I didn't think to do anything "fun".

mrsjparker · March 2010

zukolivie:
My only concern for you would be that if someone has been struggling with infertility or having miscarriages, your announcement could be hurtful and potentially damaging to your career.

I'm not that worried about this since I'm the only female at work that's not having grandchildren. But thank you...I hadn't thought of that.

JDO · March 2010

If you're trying to avoid the "ooh and aah" I'd just send out an email.

At my job, I told the people I am closer with and let it trickle down to the rest. The news spread very quickly by word of mouth, I was surprised how fast everyone seemed to know.

MSC03 · March 2010

My boss and coworker already know (there are only 3 of us on our team) but the rest of our department (10-15 people) will get an informal email.

That's how I did it last time and luckily I avoided ooh'ing and aaah'ing in my cube. They just replied thanks.

lmj8284 · March 2010

skyejo:

One girl on my birth month board was planning on bringing in donuts/bagels for the office with a note on the box that said "from so-and-so and baby." I thought that was a cute way to announce it.

I will only be telling my close coworkers and management. My office has over 100 employees, many of whom I don't even know their names, so they will find out once I start showing.

I love this idea! stashing it away for myself;)

triplea1819 · March 2010

if you really want to tell every one at once, then an email is sufficient. doing a whole thing at work is odd to me, because it is work and most people leave personal things out of work.

lifeandkitchen · March 2010

I'm amazed at how early a lot of the responders told their offices. I'm planning on waiting as long as I can... but I'm just paranoid about having a miscarriage. If I do, I don't want my whole office to know about it.

I think that the lunch date idea with the 7 ladies is a good one!

ValentineBB · March 2010

I think a nice tasteful cake like this should do the trick:

Gummybear · March 2010

lifeandkitchen:

I'm amazed at how early a lot of the responders told their offices. I'm planning on waiting as long as I can... but I'm just paranoid about having a miscarriage. If I do, I don't want my whole office to know about it.

I think that the lunch date idea with the 7 ladies is a good one!

Oh I was referring to my first baby. I told my boss at 14w, his boss at 16w, and by 17w I was getting nasty messages from the admin because everyone was aksing HER if I was pg. just in case I wasn't This time I'm at hoe so there is no one to tell.

SammyBeeRivers · March 2010

i finally told my boss today but i told her i wasnt ready for the rest of the staff to know. they will eventually find out when i start to show....

kittybits21 · March 2010

ValentineBB:
I think a nice tasteful cake like this should do the trick:

that and a rousing game of "jump the pee stick" should do it. we used to play that in gym class allllllll the time. except with a jump rope, no pee stick. it was fun, I think the office would really enjoy it.

Jessis62781 · March 2010

ValentineBB:

I think a nice tasteful cake like this should do the trick:

Valentine for the win.

acesup · March 2010

i work for a large agency, but in a small unit of about 8 women, and we are pretty close knit (they were invited to my bridal shower and wedding). i was planning on telling them at our next unit meeting. the rest of the agency can figure it out on their own lol.

acesup · March 2010

ValentineBB:

I think a nice tasteful cake like this should do the trick:

LMAO!!!!!

marathonjunkie · March 2010

*Candi*:
zukolivie:

My only concern for you would be that if someone has been struggling with infertility or having miscarriages, your announcement could be hurtful and potentially damaging to your career.

IDK about damaging your career, but this is the reason that I am nervous about telling people here. I know someone who has struggled and saw the look on her face last week when we discussed her BFF getting pg. It wasn't pretty.

This. Three of my coworkers recently had miscarriages

BookLover96 · March 2010

sefaniee:
I'm sure mine will be word of mouth. I'll tell those I'm closed to but no big announcement for me. It was the same way when I got married in August. I don't like half the people I work with anyway.

Ditto!

mrsjparker · March 2010

Thank you all for great ideas. I guess if my next appointment goes well I will have lots to choose from. I'm not a "cutesy" kind of girl and I don't like to be the center of attention so I'm surprised I'm so eager to tell. I just can't wait! Thanks again!

Arielle27 · March 2010

zukolivie:

My only concern for you would be that if someone has been struggling with infertility or having miscarriages, your announcement could be hurtful and potentially damaging to your career.

What? I don't understand this.

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