New Job- when to tell my boss....

chelseakopperud · June 2012

I started a new job last week... my new boss (or old boss for that matter) does not know I am pregnant. I am getting married this weekend, so I have work off from this Thursday through 07.08.12. I will be 14 weeks when I return. Should I make a point to tell him right away when I return? I have never had to do this before as I was in college during my last pregnancy. TIA!

thesarahg · June 2012

This is my first pregnancy so I'm not sure what usual protocol is... for me, I'm only beginning to tell my bosses (I work two PT jobs) as my husband and I begin to tell more people. I don't think they need to know right away, but I especially don't want them to find out from other people. Unless you think your boss is likely to find out from someone else, I don't see a need to tell him right away.

amh04 · June 2012

Personally, I would of told them after you had accepted the job offer. But I would ask him for a minute to talk (during a nonstressful time) and let him know your expecting and a general plan you had come up with (I plan on working until 2 weeks prior, up to due date etc.. ) and ask him if this plan would work with him and maybe come up with a general game plan together. Etc.. it would be a good time to address concerns and assure him that it wouldn't interfere with your work ethic.

chelseakopperud · June 2012

amh04:

Personally, I would of told them after you had accepted the job offer. But I would ask him for a minute to talk (during a nonstressful time) and let him know your expecting and a general plan you had come up with (I plan on working until 2 weeks prior, up to due date etc.. ) and ask him if this plan would work with him and maybe come up with a general game plan together. Etc.. it would be a good time to address concerns and assure him that it wouldn't interfere with your work ethic.

I was only 5 weeks along when I accepted the position, and we have not told anyone yet, not even parents.

amh04 · June 2012

thesarahg:
This is my first pregnancy so I'm not sure what usual protocol is... for me, I'm only beginning to tell my bosses (I work two PT jobs) as my husband and I begin to tell more people. I don't think they need to know right away, but I especially don't want them to find out from other people. Unless you think your boss is likely to find out from someone else, I don't see a need to tell him right away.

I get waiting until it's safe - but your employer will need to make arrangements for someone to handle your workload while your on maternity leave (paid or unpaid). I guess just being in a management position perviously I would of found it horribly rude for someone to of waited until 20+ weeks to tell me. I find it's better to give more of a notice, then a shorter one. But that's JMO.

amh04 · June 2012

chelseakopperud:
amh04:

Personally, I would of told them after you had accepted the job offer. But I would ask him for a minute to talk (during a nonstressful time) and let him know your expecting and a general plan you had come up with (I plan on working until 2 weeks prior, up to due date etc.. ) and ask him if this plan would work with him and maybe come up with a general game plan together. Etc.. it would be a good time to address concerns and assure him that it wouldn't interfere with your work ethic.

I was only 5 weeks along when I accepted the position, and we have not told anyone yet, not even parents.

OH! gotcha - I assumed that it was relatively sooner than that, sorry about that!!

chelseakopperud · June 2012

amh04:

thesarahg:
This is my first pregnancy so I'm not sure what usual protocol is... for me, I'm only beginning to tell my bosses (I work two PT jobs) as my husband and I begin to tell more people. I don't think they need to know right away, but I especially don't want them to find out from other people. Unless you think your boss is likely to find out from someone else, I don't see a need to tell him right away.

I get waiting until it's safe - but your employer will need to make arrangements for someone to handle your workload while your on maternity leave (paid or unpaid). I guess just being in a management position perviously I would of found it horribly rude for someone to of waited until 20+ weeks to tell me. I find it's better to give more of a notice, then a shorter one. But that's JMO.

I completely understand where you are coming from. I would like to tell them asap. When I accepted the job offer, I had to tell him I was getting married 06.30.12 and would beed a lot of time off for that, so I didnt feel comfortable saying "oh and I will need 3 months off starting in January for maternity leave"... I feel like I am in a tricky spot. Thank you for your advice though- I think I will tell him the first week I am back from my honeymoon. It totally makes sense to let him know asap so we can plan accordingly.

thesarahg · June 2012

amh04:
thesarahg:
This is my first pregnancy so I'm not sure what usual protocol is... for me, I'm only beginning to tell my bosses (I work two PT jobs) as my husband and I begin to tell more people. I don't think they need to know right away, but I especially don't want them to find out from other people. Unless you think your boss is likely to find out from someone else, I don't see a need to tell him right away.

I get waiting until it's safe - but your employer will need to make arrangements for someone to handle your workload while your on maternity leave (paid or unpaid). I guess just being in a management position perviously I would of found it horribly rude for someone to of waited until 20+ weeks to tell me. I find it's better to give more of a notice, then a shorter one. But that's JMO.

Yeah I should clarify that I definitely wouldn't wait that long, I just meant that I don't think you need to rush in to have that talk on your first day back. I think you could wait a week or so to get settled again and show what you can do.

amh04 · June 2012

thesarahg:
amh04:

thesarahg:
This is my first pregnancy so I'm not sure what usual protocol is... for me, I'm only beginning to tell my bosses (I work two PT jobs) as my husband and I begin to tell more people. I don't think they need to know right away, but I especially don't want them to find out from other people. Unless you think your boss is likely to find out from someone else, I don't see a need to tell him right away.

I get waiting until it's safe - but your employer will need to make arrangements for someone to handle your workload while your on maternity leave (paid or unpaid). I guess just being in a management position perviously I would of found it horribly rude for someone to of waited until 20+ weeks to tell me. I find it's better to give more of a notice, then a shorter one. But that's JMO.

Yeah I should clarify that I definitely wouldn't wait that long, I just meant that I don't think you need to rush in to have that talk on your first day back. I think you could wait a week or so to get settled again and show what you can do.

Yeah definitely doesn't have to be like "BAM" right now. I told work at 12 weeks. I think that's pretty standard. I told my direct boss who happens to be a family friend at 7 weeks just so she would understand why I had so many appointments popping up. But I think anytime betwen 12-15 weeks is the norm.

chelseakopperud · June 2012

TarHeelMomToBe:

I just told work today (my "official" due date is 12/29 even though baby measured for New year's) - I was going to wait until next week after I passed into 2nd trimester, but my boss is out of town next week.

At 14 weeks when you come back, still 6 months before your due date -- that's a pretty standard notification timeframe in my company. Enjoy your wedding and honeymoon!

Thank you!

IncogNeato · June 2012

Just FYI, if you haven't been working there for a year prior to birth, you aren't qualified for FMLA which guaruntees 12 weeks of leave (unpaid.) Without that it's up to your employeer whether or not they want to give you leave, and how much. You'll probably want to talk to HR ASAP.

chelseakopperud · June 2012

Thanks- I have been here for over a year... I was just promoted and am in a new position, which doesnt change or affect my benefits. Thanks though!

Jenn0810 · June 2012

I am looking for a new job- as a teacher. Last time I was pregnant I told my boss as soon as the dr confirmed it so he would understand why I keep taking time off for appointments. Previous years I NEVER took days off work so this would have been weird for me to do. This time I plan to tell a new boss (hopefully!) once school starts. I'll be around 19 weeks. Even if I stay at my old job I probably won't tell him until I go back to work around the same time (19wks). If I were you I would at least tell them with 2-3 months to figure out how to cover your job.

Angel0423 · June 2012

I was 20 weeks along last time when I started a job. I would have told them during my interview had I known it was my interview (odd situation I know). So I told my boss after orientation (seeing how I hadn't even met her when I got a job offer- which takes me back to not knowing I had interviewed formally!!!)

Anywho, it all worked out just fine. I'm sure they weren't the most pleased, but there's nothing they could have done at that point anyway. The only reason I felt awkward is because I'm a physical therapist which is a fairly physical job so it's definitely something I would share during an interview do that both parties could be aware of expectations an physical limitations. Can I ask what you do for a living?

Angel0423 · June 2012

IncogNeato:
Just FYI, if you haven't been working there for a year prior to birth, you aren't qualified for FMLA which guaruntees 12 weeks of leave (unpaid.) Without that it's up to your employeer whether or not they want to give you leave, and how much. You'll probably want to talk to HR ASAP.

Only 6 months here to qualify for short term disability benefits if you pay into it.

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