Announcing your pregnancy at work
In most cases, the best advice is to go to the top first. Sometime during the second trimester—before you "show"—tell your boss you’re pregnant.
Even before you tell your friends at work that you’re expecting, tell your boss. It’s a good idea to give your employer enough notice so that both of you have plenty of time to work out your maternity leave.
Plan your maternity leave
Figure out a game plan with your employer about your leave time:
- Determine the length of your leave before you leave. Even though you may be entitled to 12 weeks without pay, you may discover that you can’t afford that much time off without a regular paycheck. Be realistic about your expenses and remember to factor in new, baby-related costs such as disposable diapers, infant formula, and new baby clothes.
- Consider alternative work arrangements. If you can’t afford a long, unpaid leave, investigate the possibility of a new work arrangement when you return to your job. Ask your employer to consider:
- Part-time work
- Job sharing
- Flextime to accommodate a better schedule with your baby
- A compressed work week—for example four 10-hour days
- Working from home. With high-speed Internet access and video conferencing, this is a more viable option than ever.
- Sell the deal to close the deal. When you approach your boss with your leave plan, think business. Present the business advantages of the alternative arrangement you’ve selected and stress how it will maintain productivity and morale.
Products
GERBER® Nipples
Gerber offers a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Learn More