First Time Mom: Career Mamas When to Tell your Job

Re: First Time Mom: Career Mamas When to Tell your Job

• sejica member

  March 2022

  Welcome!
  
  You will be more likely to get an answer in either "The Great Big Question Thread" or the "Ask a STM" thread.  By putting your question there it helps us keep the board organized and easy to find information.  If you have any more questions about where to post please check out the "Read first - Board Organization" Thread, and definitely check out the "knotties, please change your name" thread.
  
  Looking forward to you being part of the November 22 moms!
  

  

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• PurplePumpernickel member

  April 2022

  Ok, I'm going to take initiative and bump this thread.
  
  Last time around, I told a few close friends in my office. I had a close friend who had done IVF the year before, and both mine are IVF, so she knew the whole process. I had another close friend who walked into my office when I was very weak and very nauseous and she asked if I needed anything from CVS, so I asked her for giner ale an saltines. So, kind of a dead giveaway.
  
  As for my supervisors, I waited until after the first trimester. I was an executive assistant, and was actually going to transition into a new role the following September, so we had already been planning for my departure and had hired someone as my direct report who would likely be promoted into my EA role, so I was happy to have a plan.
  
  This time I want to try to wait again, although I have several evening work events over the next few weeks with my boss, and evenings are my worst time, so we'll see. We're also picking up more work in my department and MAY be getting a new hire who will report to me, but we haven't gotten approval for the funding. If we do, that will make things a little easier. If not, well. It won't.

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• carryon member

  April 2022

  HR pro here (Dec 2022 mom)...do what is most comfortable for you.  HR can be a good place to start - it is our responsibility to hold information in confidence and provide you with the information you need about the company.  I've had employees come speak to me before TTC to inquire about benefits & leave or come speak to me first about these things before talking to their supervisor.  I provide them with the information they need (in writing) and advise them that I will not tell anyone, but do recommend they speak to their supervisor directly when they are ready to do so.  Most wait to tell their supervisors until after the first trimester.  If someone was not comfortable discussing directly with their supervisor, I would be comfortable informing them at the employee's direction.  
  
  You mentioned a concern about COVID...you could also use that as an opener to discuss with HR and build some rapport if you do not already have it.  Your company should have a written COVID plan or policy that may address some concerns.
  
  Best of luck!

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• bkk2cville member

  April 2022

  Because of the nature of my job (veterinary technician), I felt I had to tell work pretty much as soon as I knew (4 weeks). There are a lot of risk factors in what I do, so I would either have to become oddly and specifically lazy out of nowhere, or tell them what's up. Fortunately, they've been really great and accommodating thus far. It was definitely a bit nerve-wracking telling them so early, but obviously, have to put baby's needs first! The other upside to telling work super early was that DH and I felt that we could share with friends and family, since it seemed ridiculous for only the people at my work to know.

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• knottiedb8bc1e0bba11b41 member

  April 2022

  I work in a garage with lots of paint fumes, gasoline, glue, loud and stinky exhausts and I’m on my feet all day. My husband and I decided to wait until our first ultrasound to tell them but it’s killing me because I am nervous every day about being around everything.

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