Breaking The News
Talking about your pregnancy can feel terrifying. To think that sharing such a personal and happy moment could through a wrench in your professional path. You may feel fearful that pregnancy could make you miss out on promotions.
Prior to telling your boss that you are pregnant. Visit your employee handbook on their maternity leave policy. There are actual laws in place to protect pregnant employees and provide paid or unpaid leave. Understanding your company’s specific policy on maternity leave is very important so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
How Far Along Should I Be Before Sharing The News?
I would wait until 15-20 weeks. By this time your pants are likely not fitting and your co-workers will likely see changes in you. At a minimum, I would give 3 months’ notice that you will be going on leave. Ultimately, there is no perfect time to share the news so just trust your instincts when deciding when to share your news.
Preparing For Your Maternity Leave
Lastly, I would share your pregnancy in person or over Zoom. In the age of email and texts, it seems impersonal to do it one of those two ways. To me, it shows respect and that you care about your position and company to give them a heads up and to have the conversation in person or over Zoom. The more time you and your company have to prepare for your leave the better for you both upon your return! In closing- my best advice I trust your gut, give an approximate due date (in case you want to start your leave a bit early), and keep the lines of communication with your company!
