telling my boss (XP from PGAL)... opinions?

kevinandmonica2011 · January 2012

I always see lots of thought provoking discussions and great advice on this board, so I would love to hear what you lovely ladies have to say on this subject. I know when to tell, who to tell, what to say, etc is a very personal decision, but I feel like I am in a bit of a pickle and would love to hear some thoughts. Warning... this got longer than I thought... sorry!

I work in a hospital and have worked in the same position as a secretary for about 5 years. On Jan 30th, I will be transitioning to my new job as an RN on one of our post op floors (same hospital). I will be almost 15 weeks when I start on the floor.

I had to (grudgingly) tell my current boss about my pregnancy d/t to bleeding that I had last week and the need to sneak out of the office for an appointment. I did not plan to tell anyone until 2nd tri and especially not her... she is the queen of gossip and office drama (she actually told several people about my m/c... still pissed about that). I asked her to please keep it quiet, because we had not even told family yet (other than parents) and she agreed to respect that (not sure whether I believe this, but whatever).

Anyway, so... I have not told my new boss yet that we are expecting and I am really unsure when would be appropriate to tell her.

-I don't want to say anything before I even get there, but I am a little nervous that my current boss won't be able to contain the latest and greatest juicy office gossip and that my new boss will hear it from someone other than me- which is not ok.

-I don't really want to spill the beans as soon as I start my new job (thanks for hiring me, oh btw, I'm totes knocked up and will be taking maternity leave over the summer, k thanks!)...

-and I don't want to wait until the last minute to say something and put them in a bind for summer vacations, etc.

So... when would you tell? Thoughts, opinions? If you were my new boss- when would you appreciate hearing the news? Before I start, right away or closer to my EDD?

Any thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated... and for reading this monster drawn out question, may I offer you some delicious looking homemade mac-n-cheese?

jnk062602 · January 2012

Mmm I love mac n cheese!

SInce it is a new position (and congrats on the RN!) do you think that the boss will meet up with you after a week or so to see how the transition is or anything like that? That may be a good time to tell.

I agree it should come from you ideally, so hopefully your current boss didn't tell. But if she did - at least it was a former boss and not like one of the other RNs on the floor let it slip to your new boss. Since a lot of people do tell before 4 months, I think it is less a big deal if your new boss does already know.

I think that since someone at your work does know, you do need to tell your new boss sooner than later. Good luck!

jewelsonu · January 2012

I was 12 weeks when I got transferred to a new store. I told my old store the day before I left b/c I figured they would be upset not hearing it from me. I told my new boss the first time I saw him (My 3rd day at the store). I wanted to be the one to tell him. Plus I wanted him aware for when I had to unload truck.

I wouldn't wait until closer to your EDD. Are you going to have any restrictions? Like not lifting more than 25 lbs? I don't know what a post op nurse does. I would tell sooner than later.

TinyPinkBug · January 2012

In your situation, I would probably tell my supervisor as soon as I start the position. You want to be more careful when moving pts and probably try to avoid MRSA pts as well. Good luck with the new position!

kevinandmonica2011 · January 2012

Thanks, ladies! I thought it over for a long time last night and decided that I have my NT scan on the 13th. If all goes well at the appointment, I will probably tell her the following week. It is before i actually start on the floor, but I don't want to risk her hearing it from someone else... And the longer I wait, the more likely that is. Thank you again for the advice!! I hate these awkward decisions.

lawells15 · January 2012

TinyPinkBug:
In your situation, I would probably tell my supervisor as soon as I start the position. You want to be more careful when moving pts and probably try to avoid MRSA pts as well. Good luck with the new position!

This and if you need to move a large patient youd want them to know ahead of time. I was put on lifting restrictions both pregnancies so I always had to have someone help me. Good luck!

wendyj · January 2012

I had a situation similar to yours. I actually interviewed for my current job about a week after I found out I was PG. I didn't really think I had a chance for it, so it really threw me for a loop when I was offered the position. I told very few people at my old job (my immediate supervisor and the coworkers I was closest to) because I didn't want it to get out that not only was I leaving, but I was pg, too. Also, word can travel quickly among administrators (for example, my new supervisor told my old district's superintendent that he'd be losing me before everything had been finalized), and I didn't want it to get to my new supervisor before I got there.

I ended up telling my new supervisor as soon as I saw him, which was my 2nd day of work. It went really well. I was about 14 or 15 weeks at that point. I was lucky that my due date coincided with the end of the school year, so they wouldn't need to find someone to cover for me since I'd be back in September.

OK, talk about getting long-winded. Anyway. I think you'd be smart to tell your new supervisor before you start, if you can. Also, since you'll be starting a completely new position, will your time as an employee change (meaning, will your timeline start all over so instead of being a 5-year employee, you're now a newbie)? If so, it may affect FMLA, so you may want to have a plan that you can present to your new supervisor about what you are going to do to prepare for ML and how long you'll be out. It doesn't have to be iron-clad, especially if with all your good intentions, you end up on bedrest (God forbid you do, but I did and it threw a wrench into all of my plans). Either way, I'm sure it will be fine with your new supervisor. Pregnancies happen. Everyone survives eventually.

missyjg · January 2012

I have no advice but just wanted to say congratulations on your new job:) That's exciting. You just graduated right? Wow, what a year for you! And thanks for the mac-n-cheese. It's the only way I am going to be able to enjoy it, through pictures:)

kevinandmonica2011 · January 2012

missyjg:
I have no advice but just wanted to say congratulations on your new job:) That's exciting. You just graduated right? Wow, what a year for you! And thanks for the mac-n-cheese. It's the only way I am going to be able to enjoy it, through pictures:)

Thanks again, everyone! And yes, missy... It's been a whirlwind year... Got married, graduated, new job and expecting!! I am so very blessed to have enjoyed such an amazing year!! Thank you!!

Want a personalized experience?

telling my boss (XP from PGAL)... opinions?

Re: telling my boss (XP from PGAL)... opinions?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards