When are you telling your boss?

shaybe90 · June 2015

Hey all - so I'm sorry if this is already a topic, I tried checking around and didn't see anything. When do you plan on telling your employer? It's been a real stress for me. My morning sickness is getting kinda hard to hide, but I'm only 7 w 5 d, so that seems way to early.

Trisham1201 · June 2015

I told mine yesterday because I had some bleeding and had to go to the ER (everything is okay). The visit took 4 hours, so he was really starting to get worried. I would have liked to wait a few more weeks, but I'm really glad I told him in the end. He went through 2 miscarriages with his wife and now I feel completely comfortable going to him with anything pregnancy related. My boss is super cool though, so I feel fortunate I can open up to him. I'm 6 weeks and 2 days.

WLJ2 · June 2015

I already told my boss. I'm 5 weeks. I came back from a vacation where my backup did absolutely nothing. So I brought him my concerns and included my news in it and let him know I would be taking a full 12 weeks. I know it's about 35 weeks out but I am concerned about what's going to happen when I am gone. My boss is not one for follow through so I am hoping we have a plane in place in the next 6 months. 8-} :-SS

laurae110 · June 2015

I'll be telling mine next week, at 10 weeks. Would have liked to wait longer, but am starting to show and don't want to wait until it's obvious to everyone.

Mamabeagle · June 2015

12 weeks because that's the same week I'm up for a promotion!

sck601 · June 2015

I told my boss last week at 7 weeks.

l4rk · June 2015

Mamabeagle said:

12 weeks because that's the same week I'm up for a promotion!

I'm curious... Are you waiting for the promotion first to see whether you get it, or are you telling them right before to help guarantee it? Or do you know for sure you will be promoted and just don't want them to have a sudden change of heart?

debrowling · June 2015

I've also already told my bosses (last week - which was 8 weeks). Saying no to coffee added with the fact that ive had bad 'all day sickness' means they had pretty much already figured it out. They have been supportive so far.

Mamabeagle · June 2015

l4rk said:

Mamabeagle said:

12 weeks because that's the same week I'm up for a promotion!

I'm curious... Are you waiting for the promotion first to see whether you get it, or are you telling them right before to help guarantee it? Or do you know for sure you will be promoted and just don't want them to have a sudden change of heart?

My manager is known for being a little sexist, and was very unhappy another team member took such a long maternity leave that she only returned from in April. I think he could subconsciously not promote me if he knew, even though I have met all of my metrics and have a positive attitude at work. So I'd rather not get it because he finds some quantifiable issue with performance rather than think it could be due to my pregnancy. (It's an individual promotion, not something that is me vs. anyone else).

l4rk · June 2015

@Mamabeagle, yeah, that makes sense. I would do the same thing.

JNGettinMarried · June 2015

My first pregnancy, I waited until about 13 weeks to tell my immediate supervisor (I felt I had to because we were announcing in Christmas cards that were being sent out which she and other employees would be receiving). I was a teacher so I did tell the school nurse, just in case. I waited until about 25 weeks to officially sit down with my principal, as contracts were coming out for the next school year. I'm SAHM now, so not an issue anymore, but I say do whatever you're comfortable with. Just make sure someone at work knows, God forbid anything should happen while you're there.

bananers · June 2015

At least 12 weeks, but maybe longer. There's a lot up in the air with our department, which could mean an opportunity for advancement - or it could mean I get laid off. I'm waiting to see how things shake out before I bring it up. I know they can't legally lay me off or withhold a promotion because of pregnancy, but if it comes down to me vs someone else, the person taking 3 months off doesn't exactly have the upper hand.

babybluu · June 2015

I told mine around 6 weeks because I was starting to get really sick. That way they are understand when I have to sit down and breathe for a minute or when I look like crap. They've all been supportive of me, and helping out making my schedule a little easier on me.

lesliemdl · June 2015

I told a coworker/friend I was facilitating trainings with at about 5 weeks just in case I had to run out in the middle of our presentation. I told my boss and our CEO around the same time. We're close-knit and they've known me for years. I figured they would notice my energy level is a bit lower than usual. I wanted to give them a heads up, especially considering I'm already going to be adjusting my schedule to (frantically) finish my Masters degree this summer. They're incredibly supportive of anything family, health, or education related, so I'm very lucky.

Knottie1452445632 · June 2015

I guess it completely depends on where you work and how comfortable you are with sharing your news. I am now a stay at home mum but in my last pregnancy I worked on a farm in a school as a teacher (don't ask) and when I'd just found out I was asked/ told by my boss to lift heavy machinery so I blurted it out then. I then had to tell my co-workers for the same reason - they thought I was joking at first and was making excuses as I couldn't be bothered/ lazy (charming). Although I did use the pregnancy to my advantage as it progressed to get extra rest periods!

JandJ62914 · June 2015

I just told mind yesterday. I'm a teacher and we have two weeks of school left. This is the time of year where she's making any changes to our aides, if she's moving us to a different grade level, etc. so I wanted her to know while she was making all of those decisions. Plus when I back in September I will probably be showing and I didn't want the awkwardness of people wondering if I'm pregnant or just ate a lot this summer! lol I'm still not telling all my coworkers until the second trimester, but now I'll feel comfortable doing so knowing that our principal is already aware.

Life is Exciting · June 2015

With DS, I told my boss and HR at 12 weeks. I had had a previous M/C, so I wanted to make sure I was, for the most part, out of the danger zone first.

This time around, my job is less stable, so I'll probably wait as long as I can. But I found it hard to wait last time because I started showing at 10/11 weeks.... and they say you usually start showing earlier with #2.

Glamgirl25 · June 2015

I will probably tell mine right before I go on maternity leave. I work from home so she will never see me anyway.

jlmiller92 · June 2015

I find this a hard thing as well. I work in a fast paced kitchen with a bunch of guys where I'm constantly proving that I'm the best. I'm nervous that I'll get treated different because I'm pregent. The dad also works with me so its kinda big news all around.

nlwz123 · June 2015

I would like to try and wait until 2nd tri (I usually only see my boss once a week or so as it is, so that might be kind of easy). I already told our grant manager because she handles everyone's time, and I figured if I'm going to be dipping out early for appointments she'll know there's a legitimate reason.

lemasted · June 2015

I told my direct manager last Friday when I was 6w5d and let him know that I planned on telling our team (and everyone else) Tuesday if my ultrasound went well Monday. We got to see the heartbeat and everything looked good for 7w1d, so I brought in donuts and a little sign to tell everyone. The people on my team are all women, except one guy, and 3 of them are breastfeeding, so they have all been really supportive while I was trying to get pregnant, and especially now that I am. Our company is really supportive of family issues, so I felt comfortable announcing it.

amy_m_benoit · June 2015

Well, my boss is my husband so he already knows!

nikkicola101 · June 2015

I just got a new job and made the decision to tell my immediate manager yesterday 8w 6d. I decided to do it so early because I was being cleared for work before I start and I had to tell them I'm pregnant and I didn't want my hiring manager to think I was hiding things from her. Unfortunately, I don't even start orientation for another week and a half so time will tell if I made the right decision.

kmew117 · June 2015

I told at 6 weeks because I had to go for an emergency appointment. And took the rest of the day off. Luckily pregnancy is in the water here so it wasn't a big deal.

Knottie95966472 · June 2015

I just graduated college and am currently looking for something part time. Things are looking really good for me at a company that I've previously worked for, but in a different department. I'm not sure when I should tell them, if I should wait until I am offered the position or at the panel interview. My previous supervisor already knows but I don't think he's said anything. I'm leaning more towards waiting but this is my first and I don't know when I'll start showing. Luckily my MS isn't bad and I feel like I could definitely manage 15hrs a week. What do you ladies think? I'm 8w2d

Mamabeagle · June 2015

Glamgirl25 said:
I will probably tell mine right before I go on maternity leave. I work from home so she will never see me anyway.

I would think waiting until you're having Braxton hicks might make it very difficult for your boss to find someone to take over your workload while you take 2 months off...or by right before did you mean start of 3rd trimester?

nicolesmith92 · June 2015

I might wait until my 12 week scan and get my scan picture and just show him that lol I'm 9w5d but I think he already knows as I've told my coworkers and there not the best at keeping secrets

Kellymarie0214 · June 2015

I have no idea. I'm currently 5 weeks 5 days and I'm thinking I'll be showing before I tell anyone at work. So they can just find out that way. Lol. I like to keep my private life separate from my work life if I can. Planning on being a stay at home mom!

willashbaby · June 2015

I told mine right away because I missed a day of work and had to leave early twice for appointments. The only way that would fly is if she knew what was up. She's not very sympathetic lol.

MrsReese28 · June 2015

I will tell mine after I have my first appointment at week 10 and I hear the heartbeat. Hopefully it will be taken well, it was taken pretty well last time. I work in a school though so it seems we have at least 2 pregnant teachers each year.

aspringer210 · June 2015

I told my manager at 7 weeks. (I'm 9w3d) now. I haven't told any of my other co-workers yet and don't plan to until about 12w.

Life is Exciting · June 2015

Knottie95966472 said:

I just graduated college and am currently looking for something part time. Things are looking really good for me at a company that I've previously worked for, but in a different department. I'm not sure when I should tell them, if I should wait until I am offered the position or at the panel interview. My previous supervisor already knows but I don't think he's said anything. I'm leaning more towards waiting but this is my first and I don't know when I'll start showing. Luckily my MS isn't bad and I feel like I could definitely manage 15hrs a week. What do you ladies think? I'm 8w2d

I would wait until after you get the position. Just my opinion. You don't want to give them a reason not to hire you.

amyjeffcoats · June 2015

I've already told my boss...way earlier than I wanted to. I work in a small business and my boss pretty much called me out and asked if I was bored or uninterested in my job.

So I had to tell that pregnancy brain was getting the best of me.

PreggoInTheCity · June 2015

I told my manager on Monday at 8w4d after seeing the heartbeat on u/s last Friday. Only told her so early so I don't get any issues with time off for appointments and whatnot. She also has high visibility to some of my projects so I want her to be able to call out if I miss stuff before the client does. Luckily she has 3 small kids of her own and was very understandable and excited for me. I'll probably tell everyone else after my 12 week scan.

claireloSC · June 2015

I wasn't planning on telling anyone for a while and actually haven't told my boss, but I told my boss's boss, the CEO. We're pretty tight and I'm friends with his daughter so he is extra nice to me. He pulled me aside to tell me he might lay some people off but I shouldn't worry cause I was "safe". So I felt like it would have been dishonest not to say anything. He was nice about it. I think he's just happy the due date isn't till 2016 and that it didn't get sprung on him amidst layoffs and financial woes. Plus now it would be discrimination to fire me, so in a way I'm probably safer...

shaybe90 · June 2015

MrsReese28 said:
I will tell mine after I have my first appointment at week 10 and I hear the heartbeat. Hopefully it will be taken well, it was taken pretty well last time. I work in a school though so it seems we have at least 2 pregnant teachers each year.

I think that's my plan too. After I hear the heartbeat it will seem so much more realistic. I actually think my boss will be excited for me, she's been my direct superior for years and I really trust her.

evavivalasvegas · June 2015

I work in a supermarket. I'm a Pharmacy Tec. About 6 weeks I told the head Pharmacist & my human reasources manger. I wanted to protect myself early.

steffi-rae · June 2015

I told my boss at 5 weeks, but my boss is more like family, so that did play a factor.

Rach8672 · June 2015

I told my manager at 7 weeks because the morning sickness has been pretty terrible. I am a physical therapist that travels home to home so I had also expressed concerns about going to more dangerous neighborhoods (south side of chicago) now that I'm pregnant and somehow feel more vulnerable. Looks like I'll just have to take security , nothing was really changed

Somewhat angry about this ... could be the hormones

jferrer1212 · June 2015

Well...I want to wait as long as possible...12 wks or more. Unfortunately, I work in medical field, where my OB just called me high risk yesterday and that I may have to do genetic testing (routine but needing genetic counselor) with blood taken AND sent thru my department at hospital. Ugh, I know there's HIPAA, but the older nosey women are gonna say something. Ugh, I'm so freaking out. And I know they can't label my forms or blood as Doe,Jane. I'm so nervous and I know my direct supervisor will have a 'Tude & he becomes resentful. Never knew this would be stressful. It's our first and we just want to enjoy this time. :-(

laxdixdar · June 2015

I told my boss from the start. I run my own facility so time away can be tricky and I knew I would quickly have several doctors appointments (which I have had one a week for the most part). That being said she was very supportive during my miscarriage in January and I feel better if she lnows the whole scenario if things start to go a little rough.

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