When to tell your employer

[Maxine45]

If you're employed, when do you plan to tell your employer about your pregnancy?

Or for the others who have been there and done that, how did you handle it?


I just started a new job on Monday, I really like it!! Then, on Thursday, I found out that after 11 months TTC, I had 2 pink lines. (first time)

I'm trying to figure out when to tell my employer about this. I don't want them to think I already knew I was pregnant when I accepted the job, I know it's illegal for them to discriminate but I can see this being a company I'd like to be with for years to come so I don't want them to have the impression that I was dishonest with them.

I don't know how to proceed.

[~pi]

Hi Maxine,

I am a grad student and I plan to tell my advisors once I'm past the first trimester.

Do you know yet how long you intend to stay home with the babe after the birth? From what I've seen, that is the main concern of employers. They want to know if/when you're planning to come back to work. If you are planning to SAH long term, I would put off telling them for as long as possible, since you run the risk of being sidelined on projects.

All the best,
Maria

[Maxine45]

Hi Maria,

Thanks for the reply! I don't know what the future will bring me, I will have both options open to me financially, I could stay home if I want to, but something inside me thinks perhaps that won't be the path that is best for me.
I would like to leave open the option of returning to a pretty good job.

I think I'll wait and tell them in a few months.

Thanks for your advice.

[midwestmom]

I only work a couple days a week, but I plan to wait as long as possible... around 13-14 weeks. I waited 13 weeks last time.

Maxine45, I think once you tell them, you could explain that you got the pos preg test the same week you started and they most likely will understand. This is my 3rd pregnancy in the job that I have had for 4 yrs and my being up front and honest about my wants and needs has kept them pretty happy (and I had to do some bedrest with my first 2 pregnancies).

[~pi]

Originally Posted by midwestmom

Maxine45, I think once you tell them, you could explain that you got the pos preg test the same week you started and they most likely will understand. This is my 3rd pregnancy in the job that I have had for 4 yrs and my being up front and honest about my wants and needs has kept them pretty happy (and I had to do some bedrest with my first 2 pregnancies).

I think this is excellent advice.

By the way, congrats on your pg!!

[Maxine45]

My family doctor told me not to tell anyone until 6 weeks had passed (apparently a magical safety zone pops up at six weeks according to the way he was talking) so that will be a good excuse for not telling my employer any sooner. :-)

[Maxine45]

Originally Posted by ~pi

I think this is excellent advice.

By the way, congrats on your pg!!

Thanks :-)

[SoCalGirl]

At companies I've worked for in the past, most women haven't announced their pregnancies at work until around maybe 4 months or so at the earliest. Like, around when they're going to start showing any minute. There's still plenty of time from that point to plan for your absence. I'd probably wait a while if I were you.

[lotus.blossom]

I hope that everything works out for you Maxine.

I'm in between jobs (and on unemployment) and I had a phone interview last thursday before the and the woman was adamant that the last girl she hired got pregnant right away and she was NOT looking for that again. I set up the interview anyway and the next day cancelled for some strange reason. And the next day I got the

I have a really nice situation that I have my : for.
I have a second interview at a chiropractor for a massage therapy position and I told him up front that I was pregnant and he is very excited about it and still wants me to come in for the interview! He is pro homebirth and anti-vaccine and I just think I will adore him!

[Maxine45]

Lotus that sounds like a great opportunity, I hope it works out!