Once we have announced our pregnancy to our loved ones, we must also announce it to our boss. Whatever our relationship with him, we wonder how he will take this news…
One of the least pleasant moments of early pregnancy is the stress that comes with the idea of announcing your pregnancy to your boss. He can't fire us, it's the law, but he doesn't have to be happy to hear it. Will he make us feel it? Will he blame us for a drop in productivity? On the contrary, will he support us? All these questions often bother pregnant women. Here are some tips to prepare you for this meeting which will give you the opportunity to announce the good news to your boss.
When is a pregnancy announced?
Ideally, you don't announce your pregnancy to your boss immediately after buying a drugstore test. To first make sure that the pregnancy is going well and that the baby is well attached, it is better to wait to meet your doctor for the first time. This will confirm the pregnancy and let you know if everything seems to be going well so far.
In general, we suggestto wait until the third month of pregnancy before telling anyone because of the risk of miscarriage during the first trimester. Once the announcement has been made to your loved ones, that of your boss can follow.
In the meantime: a secret pregnancy
Until the time is right, you may find the time long. We may talk to you about promotions or big projects that are coming up and the period of great secrets is very trying for those who hate lying. Don't be too angry with yourself for keeping the secret, it's better than announcing a pregnancy that is ultimately not one. Don't blame yourself for being pregnant either. Professionally, there is never a good time to have a child. It's something you do for yourself and you should be happy and proud that you want your own family. So you need to stop feeling guilty now.
Also take advantage of this period to reflect on the changes that will take place in your career. From now on, you will be a working mom with all the responsibilities that come with it. Maybe you'll have to let go of some projects and a bit of your fighting spirit for the next few years, and the opportunities you'll see rolling by that you know you'll have to decline will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Again, don't worry too much! During your maternity leave, you will take the opportunity to assess your professional and financial priorities in the context of maternity. It is sometimes difficult to assess the impact of a child on his life as long as he is not in the world, so give yourself time and above all do not worry today for a decision that you will have. to be taken in almost 2 years!
When announcing it, start with your boss
Whether you are afraid of not having been employed by your company long enough, or on the contrary of being totally irreplaceable within it, you will eventually have to prepare for your departure. Even if it's difficult, don't wait for your curves to betray you. You will have to talk about your pregnancy sooner or later, and once it is confirmed by your doctor, announce the good news quickly.
Also avoid telling other friends at work before telling your superior. It's a very hard secret to keep and news always travels at breakneck speed in the workplace. So take the time to tell your boss first. It will be reassuring for him that you show professionalism and he will be more confident than if he finds out by chance while going to get a coffee.
Good news for you, but not necessarily for him
Even if you're so excited that you have a hard time hiding your joy, your boss doesn't necessarily have to be. For his part, he will have to find someone qualified to replace you and train this person to then let him go when you return from your maternity leave. Without being the end of the world,it's a small concern that will make you feel like he's far less comfortable with your pregnancy than he actually is.
To help him, it is best to arrive at this meeting well prepared. Bring your expected due date, the vacation you are en titled to and the calculation of the portion of parental leave you have chosen to take. He will thus have a good idea of the deadlines he has and the needs to be met.
Also talk about potential complications, if any, and what your doctor has recommended to avoid in the workplace: for example, if you work in an environment that poses a danger to your he alth and that of the unborn baby, where there is a lot of noise or if your task is incompatible with a pregnancy, you will probably have to be assigned to another position or be put on preventive withdrawal.
Offer Help
To reassure your superior, also talk about the help you can give him before leaving. You will surely be able to train the person who will replace you and prepare the files, contacts and methodologies so that the transition is smooth.
You can even start preparing for this transition now. Every time you perform a task, even if it seems simple, write down the passwords, the people to contact and the result to be achieved. If you do this every time, you will have quickly prepared your departure and you will be much more comfortable if you are facing preventive leave orif you give birth before the due date.
The laws protect you
Even though your employer is aware of the laws that protect pregnant women, you may feel that your rights have been violated. If your position is abolished, if you are not offered preventive withdrawal when you should be en titled to it, if you are threatened with a replacement for good, in short, if you think your job is threatened by your pregnancy, you have recourse. Labour standards include several provisions that you should be aware of from the start of your pregnancy in order to take the appropriate measures if necessary.
