How to Communicate Your Pregnancy at Work
Many women, when they become pregnant, are afraid they may lose their job if they let their bosses know. So, in this article, we’re going to explain how to communicate your pregnancy at work in the best possible way.
You’ll no doubt be thrilled to be able to share the news of your pregnancy with your loved ones. However, you may be hesitant to let your work colleagues know that you’re pregnant. There’s nothing to fear though. You should concentrate on enjoying your pregnancy and looking forward to having your baby.
Having said that, we do recommend that you find out how your pregnancy could affect your ability to carry out your job. Then you can make preparations if you think there’ll be things you won’t be able to do. You should never have any doubt that having a child is a choice and a right. It shouldn’t, therefore, have any sort of implication in your working life.
Tips on how to communicate your pregnancy at work
Here are some tips to keep in mind when considering how to communicate your pregnancy at work:
Choose the right time
The first tip is to plan the right time to communicate your pregnancy at work. Most women usually report it at the end of the first trimester or the beginning of the second trimester.
Ideally, you should schedule an informal meeting with your boss to inform him or her of the facts. This is especially important if you think there might be a negative reaction. This way, you can measure your boss’s immediate reaction and get a general idea of their attitude.
Maintain your professionalism
Secondly, when announcing your news, you shouldn’t do so with an apologetic tone, as if you were treading on eggshells. Having a baby is a right for every woman and a major part of their lives. Remember that with a few minor exceptions, you’ll be able to do most of your tasks in the same way you did before you were pregnant.
Because of this, it’s important for you to keep your professionalism intact and communicate your pregnancy at work in compliance with business requirements. This means that you have to do so well in advance. In this way, the company will have time to make arrangements to face the new situation.
Contact human resources
Pregnancy is a good time to talk to human resources and find out all you need to know about maternity leave. If there’s no one who can answer these questions, you may be able to ask a colleague at work who has recently been pregnant. That way, you can get first-hand guidance and information.
Don’t disclose it in job interviews
Another important point is that you aren’t required to disclose your pregnancy to potential employers in a job interview.
For a woman, looking for a job is often hard enough, and you shouldn’t have to worry about future childbearing. In fact, if your application is rejected or an offer rescinded, then this would be a clear case of discrimination. If this happens, then you could sue the company and you’d have every chance of winning.
Don’t be afraid
Finally, as we mentioned before, many women are afraid to tell the boss that they’re pregnant, because they think they may lose their job. Losing your job because of pregnancy is considered to be discrimination. As a woman, you’re protected against these kinds of decisions.
As you’d expect, these conversations can sometimes be difficult. However, they need to take place in order to dispel doubts and communicate your pregnancy well in advance. In this way, the company will be able to assess their options and provide solutions for your maternity leave.
You can be sure that one of the best parts of pregnancy is to be able to share all the excitement and emotions that you’ll have during your pregnancy and while you look forward to your baby’s birth.
We hope that you’ll now feel better informed and more confident about telling your bosses about your pregnancy.
