Telling The Boss You're Pregnant

You couldn't wait to tell your partner, mom, and best girlfriends. But you aren't as excited about telling your boss the news that you're pregnant. Even if you have a good relationship with your employer, you may feel intimidated at the thought of informing your boss, working out a plan for leave, and asking for special considerations over the next nine months. And
what about returning to your job?

According to Nancy W. Hall, author of Balancing Pregnancy and Work: How to Make the Most of the Next 9 Months on the Job, "83 percent of women say that their employers were supportive when they told them about their pregnancies."

And that percentage drastically increases if you discover what your rights are under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and plan your announcement carefully. Hall offers these suggestions for breaking the big news to your boss:


Make an appointment.
Don't just mention your pregnancy in passing or over the phone. Instead, set up a meeting during a quiet time of the day and in a private place where distractions are at a minimum.


Be happy.
Hall says that this "may sound obvious, but some women are so anxious about telling their bosses" that they neglect sharing their excitement about the news.


Never apologize.
You haven't done anything wrong, so there's no reason to say that you're sorry. Even if your leave will coincide with a busy time of year for your company, you don't need to apologize for having a baby!


Show that you've done your research. Hall recommends that you "matter-of-factly let it be known that you are aware of your rights" and of your company's specific policies about family leave. Before meeting with your boss, check your company's employee handbook or speak with the Human Resource manager to answer any questions you may have.