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July 2012 Moms
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Curious, do you tell your customers??

kellyw928kellyw928
in July 2012 Moms

I'm an Account Manager with a VERY large company. I manage mega enterprise accounts.

I told my leadership team about my pregnancy at 16 weeks but am getting pressure from them to communicate to my customers. I don't know why, I'm close to these accounts but it just feels so "personal".

Sooo, do I tell them? And how?? It feels so random to just bring up to my Vice President level customers that I'm pregnant on a weekly call. The thought of doing so just makes me cringe.

Have any of you been in situations like this?!

Thanks for any insight!!

Kel 

 

 

 

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Re: Curious, do you tell your customers??

  • TheFutureMrsH2012TheFutureMrsH2012

    Is it really the customers business to know? If not, then don't say anything about it. I don't walk up to random strangers and say, "Hi! I'm 17 weeks pregnant!"

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  • kellyw928kellyw928

    That's EXACTLY how I feel!!

    I don't see why I have to explain to them that I'm pregnant, etc. Basically, let's say I was going out on leave because of "mental issues" or a sick loved one..I wouldn't have to communicate that...

    Thanks for the validation!!

     Kel 

     

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  • caralckcaralck member
    I don't think telling someone over the phone is needed.  I think if you were to leave the company after your maternity leave to be a SAHM, then maybe the customary 2 week notice is fine but no reasons are needed.  Maybe if you have face-to-face interaction with people regularly, then casually bringing it up if you feel comfortable is fine.  For my job as a doctor, I am telling patients because I see many every 3 or 6 months for routine follow up and so I have started letting them know (started telling them 2 wks ago) because I will tell them to return in 6 months and realized that I won't be there in 6 months!   Then I reassure them that I'll be back to work after my maternity leave (est to return in October).  I wouldn't just randomly tell them over the phone though.  That seems weird.  I only have been telling my patients I've had for awhile though, not new ones.  I'm not really showing so the new ones don't ask and I don't tell.  I'm not exactly going to say randomly, "hey, I'm pregnant by the way.  Your antibiotics will be ready at the pharmacy in 30 min."  
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  • camillaandcarsoncamillaandcarson member

    LOL at the I'm pregnant and your antibiotics will be at the pharmacy in 30 minutes.  

    I didn't tell my clients.  Or the people I work with with the exception of one individual who was on leave at the time.  I did tell the director because my pregnancy is high risk so I had to take some time off.  My director sent out a long mass email telling everyone I was pregnant.  

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  • kellyw928kellyw928

    Thanks for your insight, Caralck! That makes complete sense.

    I guess one of the factors in that I do travel to the east coast about once a month for onsight visits with them. With that said, my next visit isn't until April but still, it's such a weird topic to explain over the phone. Especially since there are multiple people present, not just one to one.

    Who wants to tell a group of people that they are preggo over the phone??!!

    Kel 

     

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  • ViveVive member

    I work in allied health. I started a new job in jan to replace a girl going on maternity leave (which is for 12 months here). The employers knew I was pregnant when they hired me so that's been fine, but they asked me to keep it quiet for now because they didn't want to upset the doctors I work in close association with. 

    I dont actually see the doctors that often... So that's been pretty easy and even so there isn't that much to see anyway or so other people tell me. I've had one patient/client guess so far (late last week) and that's it so far. Or at least ask me anyway... I've decided if someone asks directly I'll tell them, but otherwise I intend to keep it to myself for now. I may have to change that strategy in a month or two so the clients who are rehab focused (not just diagnostic cases) are prepared... But there's enough confusion going on right now already (one girl going on maternity leave, another taking indefinite sick leave... People who are the clinicians not admin staff) that I don't want to cause any more patient/client upset.

    I would probably wait until I saw these people face to face in your case. It would be hard to hide by April I'm guessing. And it will also give you a good opportunity to talk about what is going to happen in your absence (which may not be determined for a little while yet anyway). Good luck!! 

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  • missusbeemissusbee member

    Unless your supervisors can give you a professional, business related reason to tell, its inappropriate to do so. As soon as your mat leave becomes a matter of professional relevance, you tell. So, if you specing out a contract that will run into July, that's relevant.

    I didn't have the luxury of this delightful choice. My boss informed all of my clients for me as soon as I told him. I was mortified. Its an awful feeling---such a violation of privacy. Tongue Tied

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  • FemShepFemShep member
    I don't think you need to tell your customers right NOW, but you do need to tell them soon since your work will be impacted. Keep the conversation focused on business, and how you'll be providing great support for them. Introduce the topic by explaining, "My trip in April will be my last visit before my maternity leave begins, and during that trip, I'd like to review with you how we'll continue to support your account." Then, during the trip, take 15 minutes to review who will be covering for you during your leave (introducing them if possible), how you'll brief that person so there are no hiccups, when you plan to return, etc. A few weeks before maternity leave begins, follow up with a reminder, contact info for relevant people, etc. All your boss really wants is for your customer to be assured that they'll continue to get their needs met with no problems, which is also what your customer wants to hear (with details and reassurance that you're on top of this). And this is your chance to win HUGE brownie points by proactively dealing with something that causes your customers lots of stress and showing them how awesome you are.
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  • KarmBKarmB member
    I HAVE TO LIFT OVER 20 LBS AT work so if a customer asks for somethign i ask for help and tell them im not allow to lift that much due to the baby lol

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  • kellyw928kellyw928

    Thanks so much to everyone for the GREAT suggestions and feedback!

    Part of what makes it so strange is that I'm a remote employee (work 100% out of my home office) so it feels weird that I interact with these customers all the time (and my colleages) but only actually "see" them every few months.

    Another concern is that my customers are so comfortable with me, that there are not many boundries they respect anymore. I just don't want the pressure of multiple people on a call hitting me with question after question about my pregnancy...

    I know now that at some level, I do need to share the news but will make sure to limit how much info I give them. Like you guys said, plain and simple...better to do in person if possible...I'm pregnant, going on leave and here is the plan I have put in place to make sure your taken care of.

    Thanks everyone!!

    Kel

     

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