Telling coworkers

Re: Telling coworkers

• boogerbearoriginal member

  July 2013

  I've been at my job for almost 7yrs and I am nervous about telling, so I understand!

  I'd wait until you're out of the first trimester, like 12/13wks. And from there I'd tell your boss first. When you talk to your boss be prepared to discuss your plans for after baby is born, like whether you plan to return. I would also look in to what kind of leave options you have, since you won't have been there 12m you aren't protected by FMLA but many places will work with you.

  I found simple/straight to the point is easiest, so I wanted to let you know, I'm having a baby in x month.

  Good luck! 
  

  
  
  

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• cecilyandgautam member

  July 2013

  I agree with PP - come in with a game plan and keep the conversation focused on practical matters. Don't dwell on how this is awkward or kind of embarrassing to bring up. At most, you could acknowledge it's a pleasant surprise, but I definitely wouldn't go beyond that. 

  Set up an appointment with your boss, say you have some news to share - you're expecting, due on such & such date, and wanted to give as much heads up as possible. You'd like to be take X weeks of leave and will work with your boss to make sure whatever loose ends are tied up before your leave and that you've trained whomever s/he assigns to cover the basic tasks while you're out.  

  

  
  

  
  

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• Fullcircle06 member

  July 2013

  I had a very similar situation last year, and I was VERY nervous about it. I waited until after the first tri, I think I was about 14 wks, and I told my direct sup first, and then I said, "I have a plan in place"...and went from there. I think it helped that I presented my plan immediately. Congrats and good luck to you. My office does not qualify for FMLA, but was very supportive and worked with me, so hopefully yours will, too.

  

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• Karla CS member

  July 2013

  I've been at my job forever and didn't want to tell people.. My boss new pretty early (not drinking at a conference in Vegas kind of drew suspicion), but I didn't make any announcements until I was well past 20 weeks..(I was tiny. Not so tiny anymore!)

  I think you really only need to tell your immediate co-workers when you'r ready, and everyone else can find out later. 

  

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• JerseyBella member

  July 2013

  My boss is my Aunt and we are close so I am not too worried about that. I only work immediately with 2 other people. Then there are some others scattered through the building that I really never speak to except a hi. I don't know why I have so much anxiety over this.

  
  

  
  
  

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• Netty_3 member

  July 2013

  Same thing happened to me. I waited until after the first trimester to tell them (a month after I started). I recently got called out for not saying sooner...but to be fair to myself I had consulted my SIL whose and HR exec and asked her opinion. Plus, like you I found out right when I was starting...for me it was 5 days prior to my first day. I think it depends on the atmosphere of your new job. Mine is very family oriented, but I didn't tell my close friends at that point either because I wanted to be sure we got out of the first trimester woods before I started telling people other than close family. 

  

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