When to tell work?

abkemayberry · October 2015

This is my first pregnancy and at 15 weeks, I am not showing quite yet. I was curious to see when you plan or have planned to tell your coworkers. I have told my manager but that's it. I am nervous about how people will react especially because I am not planning on working after I have the baby. Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you!

sarahufl · October 2015

I told a few coworkers but it is only because we are close outside of work. I met with HR at 16 weeks just to get a feel of the process for leave, etc.

As for my direct bosses- I don't intend to tell them until after Christmas. I am starting to look fat right now, but not obviously pregnant.

amandac12581 · October 2015

My boss knew before everyone else at work. Mostly cause I always felt so sick and tired. I told the rest of my coworkers at 13 weeks. It's really up to you and how well you get along with your coworkers. If it's not something you want to share with them then don't feel like you have to say anything.

sprocketsngadgets · October 2015

I told my boss a while ago, my co workers when I was 13 weeks because one asked if DH and I were thinking about having another kid any time soon. Same co worker has had an attitude toward me ever since. I'm actually thinking he and his wife are TTC and aren't having an easy time. He's been a little pissy toward another coworker who's wife just had their third last week too adding to my suspicions. My other coworkers gave their congrats and that was that.

I would suggest no divulging to your coworkers that you don't plan on returning. If they ask just say you haven't decided.

fourtsixand2 · October 2015

My department is fairly small (5 others in my immediate office, 6 beyond that in the rest of the department) - I decided to tell them a couple of days after my positive pregnancy test, because I'd started going to the restroom constantly.

I also couldn't stand to tip toe around and not share something I was so excited about.

After my 12 week (first) sonogram, I made it public to other friends.

littleredx2 · October 2015

I told my bosses/coworkers at 10 weeks. It's my 4th baby in 5 years so I wasn't going to be able to hide it much longer and I know that they are all supportive. I haven't told HR yet, but that's just because I'm not ready to be hounded with the paperwork for leave. I will likely tell them closer to my 20 week appt time.

allaire314 · October 2015

I told my boss when we were 12 weeks. One of the programs that I am in charge of requires some really heavy lifting, so I needed to let him know so I could get coverage. I specifically told the co-workers that I am close to around that same time. Now at 15 weeks other co workers just ask, or say they heard a rumor because my bump is so big it is pretty obvious. I also do not plan on returning to work after my leave, but I haven't divulged that information yet.

kcbarbo78 · October 2015

I was planning on waiting until week 16, but unfortunately I had to go on bed rest at 9 weeks and had to tell my Human Resources rep. I told my boss as well because I had a major bleed at work and burst into tears in her office, so when I found out that I would have to go on bed rest I just told her why. I knew that she already suspected. (My case was somewhat unusual as well because I had to go to a million appointments for IVF, so colleagues I work closely with all sort of knew what was up. It didn't help that I started showing pretty early, and prior to that was very bloated and looked pregnant, anyway.) If I had my way, though, I would have done so at 16 weeks (after first trimester screenings and when most people start showing, etc.) so that they would have time to prepare.

Meggs2559 · October 2015

I told my principals at 12 weeks and just started to spread the word with my coworkers today, at 15 weeks. It's whatever you see fit. Plus, you don't have to explain now that you're not working after. At least that's my opinion!

mrstrax · October 2015

I think this is super specific to your situation. My situation is different than many because I do in home daycare, but I told my kiddo's family at 7.5 weeks so they could start looking for a new provider. In my limited experience with large companies, actively preparing for your time off is more important than the exact timing of your announcement. DH's coworker announced super early (6 weeks) but then did nothing to prepare for her leave so the temp they hired wasn't able to do much of anything for the first few weeks while he tried to sort his way through her lack of project notes. On the other hand, another co-worker waited until she was clearly showing (6ish months?) but had already been getting everything together for the person who would take over for her so her leave was really smooth.

Ready4theParty · October 2015

I told my boss the day or two after I found out. I was nervous but he has daughters my age and I figured should anything happen he'd understand. This proved to be smart because I was so sick this time around. I also couldn't hide much after 8 weeks.

I agree with pps. I would just omit to your boss and coworkers that you don't plan to return. Should your employer need to do lay offs you'd be an easy choice.

thaisac1 · October 2015

abkemayberry said:
This is my first pregnancy and at 15 weeks, I am not showing quite yet. I was curious to see when you plan or have planned to tell your coworkers. I have told my manager but that's it. I am nervous about how people will react especially because I am not planning on working after I have the baby. Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you!

I told the chairman of my department at 12 weeks, and the head of my echo lab between 15-16 weeks, because these two ppl are actively involved in putting together our schedules for next year and it's fair for them to have this information.
When I told the chairman at 12 weeks he did not tell anyone else until I was ready t "go public", which is what happened at 15-16w.

geminioftwo · October 2015

I told my manager around 11 weeks. Everyone else has been slowly starting to ask last week around 15 weeks and I just confirm their suspicions.

pinottoparenthood · October 2015

I broke the news after the NT scan at 13 weeks to my bosses, and then slowly word spread from there.

ivyvines6 · October 2015

I told one job almost immediately, but didn't tell the other until week 17. I found out I was pregnant before starting with either of them, and didn't want to make a stressful situation immediately. I am easily replaceable at one place, but the second I'm going to be almost impossible to replace. I didn't want to tell them until around December, but my fiancé made me. Luckily they weren't as upset as I'd expected them to be, and were grateful I told them now.

JadaBlue · October 2015

I told my chain of command at 8 weeks for planning purposes (I'll have to medevac at 34 weeks) and announced at a staff meeting after I I received encouraging Harmony results (13 weeks). In my experience people are just happy for you so it's not a big deal, but I'm a tenured government employee so I don't have to worry about getting fired for having a kid.

kalanieileen · October 2015

I told my immediate bosses ASAP because I was experiencing terrible morning sickness (puking multiples times a day) early on and I wanted them to know why I would be late some days or need time off. I waited until now, 13 weeks, to spill the beans to the rest of the lot.

Lilpenguin3 · October 2015

I'm a nanny so I told the family at about 6 weeks after our first appt and ultrasound. 1 because they had just drafted a new contract and I wanted to give them a chance to alter if needed before I signed and 2. I was incredibly sick and did not want to have to hide it.

RLVbaby · October 2015

I told my bosses at 8 weeks. I was super sick and with the dangers of my job it was best to say something early.

MrsCayEye · October 2015

I haven't told my actual boss yet, but I don't work with her so I will probably tell her in January so she has 4 months to find coverage for me. She's really just a staffing coordinator since I work for a nursing agency, so that's plenty of notice to get coverage. I told a few coworkers that I'm close to last week and everyone else can just come to their own conclusion as it becomes more and more obvious.

mumidi · October 2015

I told my principal around 8 weeks and explained that I didn't plan to tell many people yet. I told a few close teachers at 10 weeks and around 13-14 weeks my principal made an annoucement at a staff meeting that there were several people expected and if you wanted to stand you could so everyone would know (or you could keep it to yourself). I stood. There are 5 female teachers pregnant right now and 3 male teachers who have wives expecting.

Goldsgirl9 · October 2015

I told my director at 8 weeks. Normally I wouldn't tell this early but because I was recently diagnosed with another medical condition I knew it would be a lot of appointments. He also knew about my mmc in May because I had to be out for a few days. He was incredibly supportive. I have yet to tell my staff. Waiting until 16 week scan. If all looks good I will let them know.

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