Pregnancy and Breaking the news at work
Everyone has a different idea about the perfect time to tell others that she is pregnant. Many women wait to tell anyone except their partner until after their first trimester, when the highest risk of miscarriage has passed. Others can’t wait to share the news.
At work, there’s no perfect time to tell others. It’s wise not to wait too long, especially if you have health issues or other complications to sort through with your supervisor. No matter when you break the news, consider the following tips:
- Tell your boss personally. Your boss deserves to hear the news directly from you instead of overhearing it in the break room. Even if you tell only one or two people you trust, secrets can be hard to keep. If you begin having trouble keeping your eyes open at meetings or are constantly running to the bathroom, it’s better to let your boss know that you’re pregnant instead of letting him or her think that you are ill or have lost interest in work.
- Watch out for potential conflicts. These days, it’s illegal to withhold a promotion, reduce the amount of a raise or take back a job offer just because a woman is pregnant. Nevertheless, if you have an upcoming salary review or are under consideration for a new position or important project, you may want to wait to share your news. After all, these decisions should be based on your performance up until now. If, however, you want to avoid taking on a special assignment that would be impossible to finish before your baby arrives, you may want to speak up sooner.
- Keep your options open. Your boss and co-workers may want to know exactly how long you plan to work and when you intend to come back. Share some general plans at the start of your pregnancy, but leave enough room for negotiation in case the idea of working until your water breaks loses its appeal by your final trimester. For instance, you could say, “My goal is to work straight through pregnancy, but I probably can’t make a final decision until I reach my third trimester.” Even if you decide to state your plans in detail, be sure to acknowledge that unforeseen problems or circumstances could result in changes.
- Know what your options are. Once you make your big announcement at work, go to your company’s personnel office. Collect information on health insurance, disability benefits, and family or maternity leave policies. You may also want to check into company policies regarding flextime or telecommuting, which may allow you to shorten your hours before your baby arrives or work from home after your maternity leave.
- Offer solutions. Before you share your baby news, think about how your work might be split up. Consider who could be trained to take your spot for a few months, if necessary. This is particularly important if you’re in a management position or will need to change job responsibilities because your current position might pose health hazards to your baby. The bottom line: If you help come up with solutions, your boss and colleagues are less likely to focus on the challenges your pregnancy might create.
- Know the law. Although policies regarding work hours, sick leave and health care benefits vary from company to company, federal laws offer protections for pregnant women and those who can’t work because of the need to care for a newborn. These laws are known as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993.
Be aware, however, that some small companies may be exempt from these laws. Also, you may not qualify for certain benefits if you’re a relatively new employee. Consult your company handbook and your human resources office if you’re in doubt about what’s available to you.
Tags: Healthy pregnancy, Pregnancy and Breaking the news at work, pregnancy guide, pregnancy tips and advices
Posted in Pregnancy
