As you are super excited that you are pregnant but to share it with your boss and your team members may make you nervous if you are a working woman. You may have so many thoughts as when is the perfect timing, how to break that news, what to say, is this news going to affect my job etc. Let’s discuss these points in detail:
WHEN TO TELL YOUR BOSS THAT YOU’RE EXPECTING :
There is no rule as to when to disclose your pregnancy to your boss, some tell at the end of their first trimester when their pregnancy is more stable, while other’s tell it sooner. It depends on various factors like how you feel, what kind of job you’re in, when will your baby bump become visible etc.
When Is The Best Time:
First trimester of pregnancy is considered more crucial, as the chances of miscarriage are more. So most women share their pregnancy news with their boss after first trimester (i.e. at the end of the first trimester or at the beginning of the second trimester) when there is confirmation that pregnancy is going well and healthy. After the first trimester, your baby bump starts forming and gets clearly noticeable from the middle of the second trimester. It’s the best time to tell your boss that you’re expecting, before they start making guesses.
How You Feel:
Some women experience mild symptoms during early pregnancy, while other’s may experience severe symptoms like too much nausea, vomiting, fatigue, frequent urination etc. In such cases it gets difficult for you to hide your pregnancy news. So your pregnancy symptoms at your workplace may let others know on their own. So in that case, tell your boss and colleagues sooner before they guess that you are pregnant, as this will make more sense.
What Kind Of Job You’re In:
This factor also matters a lot when to break the news of your pregnancy with your boss. If the demand of your job is: carrying heavy weights, climbing and standing for too long, working under heavy noise, working under chemicals and radiations, or any other similar environment which may cause complications and is considered not safe for pregnant women, then you should disclose your pregnancy news sooner with your boss. So that you can ask for any other duty. And in case if your job is like work from home, then you can hide this news for longer if you wish to.
Other Factors:
There are many other factors that matter, you’ll get them with your observation and by understanding the boss and colleagues nature. Like:
> If you are working on an important project which is about to be completed, then it’s great to break the news of your pregnancy afterwards. Then tell the boss about your pregnancy after showing your dedication towards your work and with further plans.
> If your co-worker is one of the very good friends of yours or if any of your co-worker is a new mom, then you can ask for the help or the suggestions.
> But if your co-workers have gossip nature, then be the first one to tell your boss about your pregnancy before anyone guesses.
Simply analyze the situation and go ahead to tell your boss. Make sure you aren’t too late to tell, so that your boss and your team workers can get sufficient time to plan.
HOW TO TELL YOUR BOSS THAT YOU’RE EXPECTING :
Whenever you are ready to share that news in your office, just make sure to share it with your boss first before sharing it with your colleagues (even if they are your friends). It’s always better that you would be the first one to tell your boss about your pregnancy before anybody else or before your pregnancy symptoms/baby bump becomes visible.
Tell Your Boss First:
It’s always better to tell your boss first and as soon as possible. If your boss gets to know from somebody else before you inform, then it may create trust issues. So break your pregnancy news yourself and preferably face-to-face. This way you can also explain, how are you going to manage work and home responsibilities. Then share your pregnancy news with other team members.
Timing Matters:
Don’t tell your boss in hurry either on the way to the meeting or while climbing stairs or while your boss is in a hurry. First of all, analyze the situation. And when you feel it’s the right time to tell your boss then better to schedule an appointment with your boss to share your pregnancy news, so that both you and your boss can attentively get the conversation happen. And after you have the details of your due date, it’s better to give it in written about the maternity leave to avoid any confusion.
Know Your Basic Rights:
Before breaking the news, it’s better to know your company’s policies and your basic rights of being pregnant. These little knowledge may help you: to ask for some other work if your current work is not safe for pregnant women, to ask for more flexible terms and conditions of your work, to get your maternity benefits, and in case you don’t want to continue your work after maternity. This helps you get a comfortable conversation with your boss.
Be Professional:
When you are going to tell your boss about your pregnancy, be professional and brief, as this is not your last meeting. Don’t discuss the discomfort or the other problems or illogical issues in detail, just be professional. So make the first meeting brief, and then further update your boss about the issues you have while working during pregnancy, about maternity leave, and when’ll you get back to work etc.
Be Confident:
Most of the women get nervous for being judged by sharing their discomfort at work, less dedication towards work because of health issues, fear of discrimination, etc. because of pregnancy. Just calm your nerves and be confident about it. Anytime you feel uncomfortable and need help, don’t shy and just ask for it. There are many policies and benefits on your side if ever you feel discrimination at your workplace. You can also take the help of the HR department if needed.