Having a child is usually a time of excitement and wonder for the expecting parents, however, those who are employed will be able to tell you that the nagging internal debates on when to tell your employer about the pregnancy can be distressing. The question usually comes with multiple follow-ups, should you tell HR first? How to tell HR you are pregnant? When to announce the pregnancy at work to ensure the least amount of complications? Will it change how your work is perceived? Just the thought of handling it all can be dizzying.
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It is important to take a deep breath and remind yourself that you have time to communicate with everyone. The conversations can wait until you determine your plan of action. The U.S. has many legal protections in place and reading up on it can be a source of comfort. It can also prepare you for the conversation about when to tell your employer about the pregnancy.
When to Tell Your Employer You Are Pregnant?
There are no laws that dictate how and when to tell your employer you are pregnant. You could request your employer for leave 30 days in advance before you plan on taking the time off and if your workplace is covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), your employer will be required to agree to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. However, leaving the issue till the last minute can reflect negatively on your commitment to the work and leave very little time to redistribute your work.
Most women wait till the end of the first trimester when they are likely to begin to show signs of pregnancy. This provides ample time to get familiar with your plan and work with your employer on how you can manage your responsibilities over the next few months.
A study by Baylor University found that perceived pregnancy discrimination could lead to stressful outcomes not only for the mother but also for the baby, who might experience issues like lower gestational age and birth weight. It is understandable, as an expecting mother, to be hesitant while considering when to tell your employer about the pregnancy but there are legal avenues you can turn to if actively discriminated against.
How to Tell Your Employer You Are Pregnant?
Before starting a conversation about your pregnancy, equip yourself with sufficient data on the federal and state laws that protect you. Once that’s done, you can sort through who you should talk to and in what order to inform your company.
Learn about the U.S. Protections
The FMLA applies to all organizations and institutions with 50 or more employees, requiring them to provide eligible employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces three separate laws that protect pregnant employees:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Prohibits discrimination against employees based on past or current pregnancies as well as their associated health conditions.
- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) – The new law requires employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” for workers with known limitations connected to the pregnancy. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – The disability act applies to limitations and health concerns faced by pregnant individuals who are temporarily unable to work at full capacity.
The U.S. Department of Labor has an interactive infographic that can help pregnant workers see what state protections are offered as well.
Learn about Company Policies
Refer to company policies on the matter and see what can work best for you. Some companies offer longer maternity leaves, paid time off, flexible working hours, etc. that you can use to your benefit. Being aware of these can be helpful when you tell your employer about the pregnancy.
When to Announce the Pregnancy at Work: Start With Your Boss
It is always ideal to first settle on when you should tell your boss you’re pregnant before you share the news with coworkers. An honest and upfront approach can communicate a serious attitude towards resolving the issue with them rather than leaving them to deal with the outcomes alone.
Dragging the conversation on can become unhelpful so it is important to stick to the points you want to communicate such as due date, leave period, existing workload, etc. When you tell your boss you’re pregnant, make sure you convey your current action plan to them, while also leaving room for their input on how they’d like to further the discussion.
Determine When and How to Tell HR You Are Pregnant
Your HR team will be your best source of information to plan out your next year. If you are nervous about when to tell your employer you are pregnant, you can always start with the HR team. Ask them when you should tell your boss you’re pregnant—some companies might even require you to do that first.
Alternatively, once you decide when to tell your employer about the pregnancy, you can also involve the HR team in the conversation in case you fear a negative response from your boss. SHRM reported that 84 percent of American workers found poorly trained managers to cause unnecessary stress. If your experience falls in that category, you might want to talk to HR first.
Preparing for Colleague Reactions: When to Announce the Pregnancy at Work
When you decide you should tell your boss you’re pregnant, that does not have to include all your coworkers. Depending on your own comfort levels, you can plan out when to announce the pregnancy at work. This can help you address all the relevant details with your boss before you encounter a disgruntled colleague with a negative outlook on the situation. Once you practice how to tell HR you are pregnant, you might feel better prepared for it to be public.
You might also choose when to announce your pregnancy at work based on your work delegations—in case there are many tasks to be reassigned to other people. Starting early will allow everyone to familiarize themselves with their tasks. I will also allow them to reach out to you with questions while you are available to answer them.
At the end of the day, deciding when to tell your employer you are pregnant is a personal choice. If you would prefer to keep it quiet for a while, remember that trying to hide it from people you see regularly can become stressful.
It is also important to note that the choice of when to tell your employer about the pregnancy doesn’t only affect the period you will take leave to give birth. Instead, the months leading up to it will have their own set of complications, from timing regular doctor appointments to dealing with morning sickness, swollen feet, and other conditions that pregnancy can bring.
By talking to your employer and HR department about your pregnancy honestly, you will be better placed to discuss any accommodations you might require leading up to delivery, from flexible working hours to more desk work rather than on-site traveling. Showing the company how you are still committed to balancing your workload, can win you some brownie points in the conversation.