By: Tash
Hughes of Word Constructions
The
test was positive and you were excited; it’s been hard not telling the
world that you are going to have a baby.
Perhaps you choose to keep it quiet, at least in
some areas of your life, for the first thirteen or so weeks. Or just
long enough to tell the Grandparents and close friends first.
Whether it’s thirteen weeks later, or you’ve just
found out, telling your Boss the good news is often a daunting task.
With your Boss, there’s not just the personal level
as your Boss still needs your job done and will wonder about your maternity
leave and coping without you, and so on. And, maybe, the relationship
is very formal so personal topics are hard to raise. Or any number of
other factors comes into play to make it awkward to tell your boss.
Regardless of the relationship you have with your
Boss, consider the following points:
- Tell your Manager before you announce it to other
work colleagues; it’s courteous and respectful to so. Any close friends
at work may be told earlier, but only if they are able to keep a secret!
- Tell him or her privately and when you are both
free to sit and talk for five or ten minutes; ideally, divert phones
or sit away from your desks to have your chat.
- Choose your timing. If a major job is due tomorrow,
wait for the next day; don’t try and tell minutes before your Boss
is due in a meeting or to leave for home.
- If you are at all concerned about the response, do some research
first. Find out what the company policies are on maternity leave and
know the safety aspects of pregnancy in relation to your duties, as
well as any legal requirements in your state and industry.
- Consider your options and desires before hand so you can tell your
Boss whether you plan to return to work, and when. You are free to
change your mind later, but give your boss the chance to start planning
for your absence.
- Tell your boss before it becomes obvious! This may give you more
or less time in which to do it, but don’t let you boss have to ask
if you’ve just put on weight …
- Many people wait until after the first trimester (at about 13 or
14 weeks) so there is less miscarriage risk. However, if you can’t
wait, that’s fine to tell work sooner. Consider, too, that if you
are having problems with morning sickness or need a change in duties,
you may be best to tell earlier than 13 weeks.
- Be prepared to ask about part time and work-from options for after
baby’s arrival - or even beforehand - if you want to keep your job.
Not all jobs suit such arrangements, but it may be worth asking the
question if it matters to you.
- Negotiate different conditions if necessary. When I was heavily
pregnant in summer, I worked to seven at night as the office was air
conditioned and I was more comfortable there and I then took some
long lunch breaks for a nap instead.
- If there are other expectant or new Mums in the company (or department
for a bigger place,) you could always ask them about how their news
was received - and how they did it! Of course, this may result in
some people knowing before your Boss, so be discrete with who you
ask!
- Wait until after a job or salary review if one is imminent - then
no one can associate the two, deliberately or otherwise. Of course,
be careful about future plans made in such a review…
- If possible, announce it just after completing a major job or some
other achievement as this demonstrates you are still focusing on work
which may be a concern for your Boss.
- Depending on circumstances, you may wish to confirm agreements
from the meeting in writing afterwards. Include such details as changed
responsibilities, duties or hours as well as anticipated leave arrangements.
Ensure a copy of the memo/letter goes in your personnel file.
- If there are doubts or concerns, talk to your Doctor or midwife
first so you know where you stand medically before needing to discuss
this with your Boss.
Of course, some people find it easy to talk to their
Boss, and want a different approach for fun!
The following list includes some fun ways of sharing
your news…
- Have a coffee and tell him/her in a casual format
- Pull out building plans to determine where the crèche will
fit or reorganise your work area to fit in a cot!
- Write a formal memo, using obscure wording to announce the news
- Fill in a leave application for 12 months leave in nine months’
time and see how long it takes for him/her to register the times involved
- Let your Boss find you scribbling with crayons at your desk - then
explain you’re practising for your new role!
- Ask him/her little questions over a period of time until the penny
drops (eg “do you prefer John or Tom?” “is lemon or lime a better
neutral colour?” or “I’m thinking of learning to knit”)
- If your boss is a parent, start asking lots of questions about
when the kids did certain things, how they made decisions, where the
baby was born, and so forth.
- You could ask “Do you want the good news {pregnant} or the bad
news {I’m leaving} first?” and take it from there
- Set up a little chair beside your desk as “you’re working for two
now”
- Wear or place on your desk a Learner sign - although this may be
less relevant if you already have a child at home!
- Send him/her a teddy bear from “someone looking forward to meeting
Mummy’s Boss in seven months”
- If it is close to a particular event like Christmas, his/her birthday
or Boss’s Day, send a card or email from the baby - or just from you
as usual but sign it from you and Baby.
- Send a memo or email requesting s/he plans no meetings or deadlines
for you on a given date as you have major plans that day
And remember that not everyone is as excited as you
about your baby. If your Boss isn’t particularly positive, that’s his
or her choice and needn’t stop YOU enjoying the fact you’re pregnant!
Tash Hughes is a Melbourne mother of two. She is the owner of Word Constructions www.wordconstructions.com.au and assists businesses in preparing all written documentation and web site content. Tash also writes parenting and business articles for inclusion in magazines, newsletter and web sites.
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