Announcing to Boss/Manager

dogperson11 · March 2017

Announcing to Boss/Manager With my first pregnancy I was laid off at 7 weeks pregnant, so didn't need to tell a boss/manager. This time I'm employed and have no idea what to say/do. Do I just ask to sit down with the manager and tell him I'm pregnant? Will they expect me to have answers about maternity leave expectations and stuff? I don't plan to return to work, but I don't plan to tell them until much closer (I will probably give a months notice - is that ok?).

purplestarz · March 2017

I wouldn't stress about it too much (easier said than done, I know). Last pregnancy I waited until 12 weeks when I told everyone else. I just let her know that I planned to work up until my due date and planned to take the full 12 weeks off. I would just ask what paperwork you need to complete for maternity leave/disability and leave it at that. I knew I likely wasn't returning to work after leave, but I didn't let them know until I was already on leave (maybe 6 weeks prior to my scheduled return). I didn't want to burn any bridges before my leave just in case I had a change of heart or circumstance that would require me to return to work instead of staying at home after all. Maybe ask if there is anything you should do ahead of time to prepare for your leave (my boss had me literally write down every step to every one of my tasks)

kstirton · March 2017

It wasn't a big deal to me... I told my boss pretty early (She's a woman and a mom and totally gets it) and was super excited for me. I told her boss, a little later. It came up in conversation that my family was growing, that's exactly how I said it. They don't really need all the details hammered out, HR will do that for you and they won't worry about when your taking off until it's closer. They know these things typically take 6-7 months.

grkgdss00 · March 2017

I waited until 16w to tell mine, when I couldn't hide it anymore. I may end up telling them earlier this time, but not before 12w.

baker1jm2 · March 2017

I told my boss at 8 weeks last time bc I was really sick and didn't want her to think I was slacking for no reason. I work for a super small company that doesn't even have HR so I think I just texted her a pic of my ultrasound and told her. She's a young mom so she's also kind of a friend to all of her employees..I guess it depends on what kind of company you work for.

dogperson11 · March 2017

I plan to tell them at 12.5 weeks. Our manager is brand new and has probably said 5 things to me ever. He's awkward to talk to, which makes me feel weird telling him this personal info.

riverrainez · March 2017

Last time I told my boss around 12 weeks, and like others said, it wasn't a big deal. This past fall I had a mc at 7 weeks and ended up having to tell my boss (different boss from the first time) because I was missing a lot of work unexpectedly. She was very understanding. Anyway, I don't think she'll be too surprised when I tell her about this pregnancy. I'm planning to wait until at least 12 weeks.

feeislove · March 2017

I was planning on waiting until closer to the end of the first trimester BUT I actually spilled the beans today.

buttercream_frosting · March 2017

I personally would wait a little longer and I would give 2 months notice at the very least if i wasn't on planning on returning. Depends on your job though. My job is a bit niche and would take time to replace me. Plus I would have to train the new person.

operaghost · March 2017

I waited until 20w to tell my boss and am hoping to do so again this time around. I honestly think you should wait as long as you can. For me, the issue was I didn't want to stop getting assigned cases (I'm an attorney) and have no work for months.

riababy4 · March 2017

I would wait until I am legally required to. I think sometime around 25 weeks. That's if you can hide the bump that long! I told my ex employer early on because of morning sickness and he took me off a work trip abroad that I was supposed to go on. So I was basically penalised for being pregnant. That sucked. And with giving notice...well, whatever it says in your contract.

mommac2017 · March 2017

I think it really depends on your workplace policies and how comfortable you are with your manager. With DS I told my manager just a couple days after I got the positive POAS. This time around I am waiting until 12 weeks. But I now only work casually and am a SAHM otherwise.

For our maternity leave you have to give 1 months notice. I can't imagine having not told my manager until I was 8 months pregnant! But I also work in a small hospital where everyone knows everyone. It would have been impossible to hide it.

DMM927 · March 2017

I'm telling my boss next week and I will be 8 weeks. But I work with teenagers with autism in residential care so there are some precautions I have to take. Plus I have a student starting a medication that I can't handle if pregnant.. so I don't have much of a choice! Otherwise I'd have waited for 12-15 weeks

beezeee · March 2017

I told my boss last week, when I was 8 weeks. I was planning to wait until 12, but I'm an attorney and we were scheduling court dates for one of my cases and I knew they'd be looking at dates in October/November. I felt like I had to tell him, because it's my case and I'm expected to be there, and we were able to schedule around my leave. It went fine. It's a very small firm and we're all very close. If something bad had happened/happens, I would be ok telling him.

I think it totally depends on your workplace, your job, and your relationship with your boss.

kkerner87 · March 2017

I work for a company of like 7 people including the 2 owners, so ichad to tell her supsr early becaise i needed time off for doc appnts during our busiest time of year (tax season). I just told her i needed to talk to her and she knew right away what I was going to say lol

joforyoga · March 2017

With my first pregnancy Intold them at 3 months. If you want to be entitled to any maternity benefits whatsoever do not tell them that you don't intend on returning to work until one month before those benefits are up. Even if your maternity benefits are coming from the government your company could be questioned and they would have to be honest that they are aware that you have no plans of coming back.

MCraig1484 · March 2017

I intend to wait until 12 weeks before telling, but you never know. Last time I think I told my boss around 8/9 weeks because I was dealing with MS and I had to miss work because of it and my doctors appointments. As others have suggested, if you don't plan on returning to work, keep that to yourself until maybe a month before you are supposed to return. Its super common so don't worry.

dogperson11 · March 2017

Knottie1447173547 said:

With my first pregnancy Intold them at 3 months. If you want to be entitled to any maternity benefits whatsoever do not tell them that you don't intend on returning to work until one month before those benefits are up. Even if your maternity benefits are coming from the government your company could be questioned and they would have to be honest that they are aware that you have no plans of coming back.

Unfortunately I live in OR where there is no paid maternity leave. I work part time so don't qualify for FMLA.

purplestarz · March 2017

dogperson11 said:

Knottie1447173547 said:

With my first pregnancy Intold them at 3 months. If you want to be entitled to any maternity benefits whatsoever do not tell them that you don't intend on returning to work until one month before those benefits are up. Even if your maternity benefits are coming from the government your company could be questioned and they would have to be honest that they are aware that you have no plans of coming back.

Unfortunately I live in OR where there is no paid maternity leave. I work part time so don't qualify for FMLA.

It won't be paid, but you should be eligible for OFLA (Oregon Family Leave).

Kaleighwilliams1224 · March 2017

I have the same issue. I am a Co manager at a retail location and my assistant manager has already told the boss she is pregnant & I'm only 2 weeks behind her. I don't won't him to freak out because 2 managers will be out for 6 weeks at the same time. I guess it's probably best to wait until at least after the first doctors appointment.

baker1jm2 · March 2017

@Kaleighwilliams1224 that happend to me last time. I work for a small company and 1/3 of us employees were on maternity leave at the same time. My boss almost had a stroke. Sucked too bc we got less time bc so many of us were off

MsMae79 · March 2017

Goodness this is tough! I am going through something like myself. I just started a BRAND NEW job this past week - which I LOVE!!! Fantastic company and people all of it! Well the week prior before started I found out that I am PREGNANT! I honestly have NO idea how to tell them! I plan to come back. I love my job! So this is such a pickle. Like seriously a pickle. :-/
At what point do I tell them I am pregnant. My husband and I want to wait until I am 12 weeks pregnant at least just because last time we lost our baby at 8 weeks... Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I am more worried with them being really upset with me or mad and finding a reason to let me go...

PizzaMonster3 · March 2017

I'm also struggling with how to tell my manager and team. FTM and anxious!! I'm the only woman in my group and play a unique role that can't easily be filled. I have a counterpart in another city who is also a woman - she was more established in her role before she became pregnant - but she has been so successful in her role that my manager was very supportive of my family planning when I took the job. Sales is a very relationship driven industry and I don't have her luxury at only one year into the position. I also didn't plan on getting pregnant any time soon...
I'm 10 wks and wanted to wait as long as possible before telling them, but we are planning a large symposium for the week after my due date that I need to spearhead. All of this points to telling them sooner rather than later - except for the fact that I haven't built up my "case" just yet on how I will continue to be effective in my role without being able to take customers out to drink as often as I was. Keeping my fingers crossed that some sign appears and tells me when is a "good" time.

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