How and when to tell work you're pregnant (2024)

When to tell your boss you're pregnant

There's no right or wrong time for when to tell your boss you're pregnant, but most women wait until shortly after their first trimester – when the chance of miscarriage has decreased significantly – and before their pregnancy has started to noticeably show. Ultimately, the decision is yours based on your own comfort levels, and perhaps your relationship with your boss.

There's no rule or law that states exactly when you have to tell your employer you're pregnant, but letting your boss know within a reasonable window of time will give you both longer to work on a plan for your maternity leave. It will also give you time to discuss what you'll do if something unforeseen happens during pregnancy, like if you need to scale back on work, for example, or adjust your job duties or stop working sooner than you expected.

Other factors about when to tell your boss you're pregnant that may come into play include:

Are you having a lot of pregnancy symptoms? If you're suffering frommorning sickness, you're calling in sick more often than usual, or you're just generally fatigued, you might want to tell your boss earlier in your pregnancy. Letting others know what's going on can help them be more patient and understanding, and potentially make you feel less stressed during pregnancy.

Do you have a physically demanding job, or do you work around harmful chemicals? If so, you'll want to tell your employer you're pregnant early so you can discuss changing your job responsibilities in a safe and timely manner. Working while pregnant in physically strenuous roles or around harmful chemicals can lead to complications. Your ob-gyn or midwife can help you come up with potential solutions based on your pregnancy and risk levels. (They'll provide a note if it's needed too.)

How do you think the news will be received? This depends on your workplace's culture, whether your colleagues' past pregnancies have influenced the office environment positively ornegatively,and your own relationship with your boss. Some women feel more comfortable and confident waiting a little longer or timing their announcement to coincide with the end of a project or performance review.

It's normal and okay to feel nervous that your boss may treat you differently because you're pregnant, but it's important to know that you can still do your job (and excel at it, too!) as an expecting mom. Pregnant women continue to have successful careers after announcing their pregnancies, and in most situations, their bosses and employers are supportive.

What to know before you tell your boss you're pregnant

Here are a few important things to know (and do) before you tell your boss you're pregnant.

Understand your workplace rights. In most cases, your employer can't legally fire you because of your pregnancy. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits any company with more than 15 employees from discriminating against someone because they're pregnant.

The PDA states that your employer can't cut your hours, demote, or fire you just because you're expecting. The act also requires employers to make reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant women, such as giving them more bathroom breaks if they're needed, or providing a place to sit if a healthcare provider says their patient shouldn't be standing for long periods of time.

Just because they can't do these things, that doesn't mean it still unfortunately won't happen. But, knowing your workplace rights when you're talking to your boss may make you feel more confident about requesting these accommodations, and knowing that legally, you're entitled to them.

Review your company's policies so you're aware of any paid family leave or other benefits you're entitled to. You don't need to be an expert – and you'll have time to ask your HR department questions before your maternity leave – but it's nice to have an idea of what benefits you have.

Start by researching how much paid leave you have available, if any. Some companies offer paid family leave, but it's also governed by state and federal family leave and disability laws, which differ somewhat depending on where you live and how big the company is that you work for. Among other things, you'll want to try to find out on how long you have to work at your company to be eligible for maternity leave and how much notice you need to give when you want your leave to start.

If you're considering taking unpaid leave, think about how long you can reasonably afford to go without a paycheck. Then figure out how much time you think you'll want to take and start making a plan, including crafting some potential solutions for how your work can be handled while you're away. You don't need to have a concrete plan ready to present to your boss when you tell them you're pregnant, but it will be nice to have some general answers in mind in case they ask questions.

Tips for telling your boss you're pregnant

• Tell your boss you're pregnant face-to-face. Whether it's an in-person meeting or on a video call if you're working from home, this gives you a chance to break the news directly, is the clearest way to communicate, and gives you a chance to see your boss' reaction directly.
• Plan to tell your boss before you tell other co-workers, to avoid any chance of your boss hearing about your news through the grapevine. They'll likely appreciate and respect hearing the news directly from you.
• You don't have to have your entire maternity leave plan figured out the second you break the news, but your boss will appreciate hearing that you've given it some thought, and that you're willing to help create a plan for how your duties will be covered while you're away. Later, you can set up separate meetings with your boss and HR to discuss maternity leave logistics, including how much time you're planning to take and when you're planning to start your leave.
• If you know that you won't be coming back after maternity leave, the ethical thing to do is to let your boss know, even though it may mean forfeiting your paid or unpaid leave benefits. That said, if there's any chance you'll return to work, it's smart to leave this option open. It can be hard to predict how you'll feel once you have a baby (and a few months after that) and what your needs as a family will be in terms of time and income.
• Be professional and confident. Though it's natural to be nervous about how your boss or coworkers will react, try not to feel guilty about your pregnancy announcement. Let your boss know you're happy about this news, and that you value your relationship with your company.

What if your boss isn't supportive of your pregnancy announcement?

Even though the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits unfair treatment of women on the basis of pregnancy, the unfortunate truth is that your boss or colleagues may not seem supportive of your news. They may worry that you won't be coming back, that your work will suffer because you're pregnant, or that your responsibilities will fall to them.

Try to respond professionally, positively, and firmly, and let your boss know that you're committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all involved. If things don't get better, reach out to your human resources department, your company's designated HR specialist, or your company's corporate offices, who should take all reports of discrimination seriously – and discretely, if you wish to remain anonymous.

If you think you've been demoted, laid off, or fired after announcing your pregnancy, you may consider reaching out to an employment attorney, or you can find more information about pregnancy discrimination through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Opens a new window

What to tell employers if you're interviewing while pregnant

Discussing your pregnancy during a job interview is up to you. Know though that it's discriminatory – and potentially a legal risk – for employers to ask you whether you're pregnant.

If you're visibly showing when you're interviewing while pregnant, it's a good idea to bring up the topic after focusing on your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the position. Afterward, you can incorporate your post-baby plans into the conversation without making them the primary focus of the interview. State your plans in a professional manner and be prepared to answer questions about the logistics of your maternity leave and your intentions to return to work.

If you aren't showing yet, you'll have to decide whether you want to say anything. Just like telling your boss you're pregnant, there are no rules that say you have to tell a prospective employer.

You may worry that you'll lose your chance for the job if you disclose your pregnancy – it's a valid concern. While the Pregnancy Discrimination Act prevents employers from making hiring decisions based on pregnancy, it could be hard to prove that's why they decided against you. On the other hand, if pregnancy is a deal breaker for your potential new boss, that may reflect a work environment that's not family-friendly, and that job may not be the best fit for you anyway.

You're entitled to wait until after you've accepted a job offer to share your news, but you may feel less anxious sharing the news up front. The decision is up to you.

Read More:

Pregnancy announcement ideas

How to announce your baby's birth

Is it safe to be on my feet all day while pregnant?