Facts About Pregnancy in the Workplace

Pregnancy is an exciting time of change for a woman but for those in the workplace it can create added stress. The rights of pregnant women are protected by law but the politics of the workplace can help determine when a woman tells her boss she is expecting and how she takes time off for doctor’s appointments.

Telling Your Boss You are Pregnant

Many women are nervous about telling their boss that they are expecting a baby. It is best to avoid telling coworkers about a pregnancy before informing an employer because office gossip could help the news get there faster than a woman wants. Scheduling a time to sit down with an employer to inform them of a pregnancy and discuss how it will effect work performance is a professional way to break the news.

Telling Coworkers

It is a personal decision whether or not a woman tells her coworkers that she is pregnant. Many women prefer to wait until they are out of the first trimester to inform coworkers of their pregnancy but this can be difficult if the woman is experiencing morning sickness.

Taking Time Off for Doctor’s Appointments

Monthly doctors appointments are important for the health of both mother and baby. While it may be possible to schedule doctor’s appointments into a lunch break, many woman find that they must take some time off work for medical care. Scheduling doctors appointments at the beginning or end of the day make it easier to simply come into work a bit late or leave a little bit early. Keep in mind, however, that late afternoon doctors appointments are often delayed as the appointments get behind throughout the day and it may be a long wait to get in to see the doctor.

Scheduling Maternity Leave

It is best to determine what the company policy on maternity leave is well before it is needed. Asking to see the company maternity leave policy and reading through it can help answer many questions. Schedule an appointment with the HR rep to determine how the policy will affect your maternity leave plans.

When to Stop Working

While some women find that they are able to work right up until the time that their baby is born, others are worn out at the end of pregnancy and choose to begin maternity leave early. Most companies give a woman a set amount of maternity time, regardless of when her baby is born. Keep this in mind before deciding when to begin maternity leave. Taking time off before the baby is born may limit the time a woman has at home after the birth of her baby.