Today's Agenda: How to Tell Work You're Pregnant

Congratulations you're pregnant! There are more than enough questions swimming through your mind at the moment - and if you're a working gal, then those questions also include:

- When should you tell your boss?
- When should you tell your coworkers?
- What next steps should to be taken once the information is public?


When during your pregnancy you tell your employer might depends on the type of work that you do. Does it involve heavy lifting or interaction with items and/or substances that could be potentially harmful to your baby? How is the work environment? Do feel comfortable and safe there?

Part of the formula for telling work depends on your particular pregnancy. Do you have special needs? Are you having multiples? Are you especially sick? Do you need extra time off? In the end, the only real rule of thumb is that at some point it's going to become obvious and you'll have to share the news.

I very much found myself in the later situation. It was starting to get obvious and I had to brave the conversation. I literally racked my brain and courage for several hours before snatching up a brief window of opportunity. Lesson learned: it is better to forgo the awkwardness and plan ahead of time.

Telling your boss:

You may want to consider telling your boss earlier into your pregnancy than you would tell your other coworkers. This will ensure that you are granted the flexibility to attend doctors' appointments as well as to take sick or personal days as needed. This will also give your manager time to reach out to human resources and learn how he or she can best support you. How do you schedule an appropriate time and space to speak with your manager? Do you already meet weekly with you boss? These type of meetings provide a great opportunity to discuss your pregnancy as well as discuss transitioning workload and other areas impacted by your maternity leave.


Telling your coworkers:

How and when you tell your coworkers is really up to you. How close and open you are typically with your coworkers? What is the professional impact on them when you are away on maternity leave? You also want to identify the type of communication you feel most comfortable with. You'll need to ensure you communicate in a way that quells anyone's potential fears or concerns about transitions during your time away.

Tips on how to tell coworkers:

- Tell team members and coworkers individually, over lunch or afternoon coffee
- Add it as an agenda item to the weekly or monthly staff meeting
- Email or call team members individually that are remotely located
- Still not sure the best approach? Enlist your manager to assist you


Once everyone is in the know how do you best proceed from here? Next steps:

- Work with your manager (and employees) to create a transition plan
- Identify key long-term projects that may have milestones will you're away
- Establish how best to work with clients, customers and other outside vendors to ensure a smooth transition

All work environments are different. If you work in a larger organization you most likely have access to a human resources department that can work as your advocate. It may be more challenging if you work somewhere small or entrepreneurial with limited support systems in place for moms-to-be.

Regardless of the company's size, here are some things to consider:

- How long will you be taking for maternity leave?
- Is it expected or documented that your company will be covering you financially during your leave?
- Has your company had previous experience with expecting employees?
- What are your preferences in regards to communication and contact during your leave?
- How would you ideally like to transition back into work at the end of your maternity leave?


Remember: communication is key. It will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that expectations as well as needs are clear. The more communication and the greater the clarity provided early on, then the easier the transition into maternity leave and your eventual return to work will be for you and those who depend on you.


Discussion: When did you tell your manager and coworkers? How did you tell them? Is there any advice that you would give to other moms-to-be? Join the conversation in the Pregnancy community.


Previous posts:
- Swine Flu and Pregnancy: What You Should Know
- Developing Your Birth Plan: First Step, Know Your Options
- Birth Planning 101: What To Consider When Creating Your Birth Plan