When do you tell your boss?

Question

I am needing a little bit of advice and I don't know where else to put this discussion but here's sense I'm sure most of you are in the same boat as I am. I am currently working in Minnesota for the state and since I am almost 13 weeks pregnant I am debating on when to tell my boss that I am pregnant. Since I have only been working there since January 2016 and my baby is due at the end of October I will not have been working there for an entire year before I need to go on leave. This means that I will not qualify for FHA LMA and I'm not sure if I even qualify for the Minnesota leave act. I have put away money in a short time disability account is provided through my employer and that is what I was told would be needed if I were to get pregnant. At this point I'm not even through my six-month probationary. So I really don't know when to ask or talk about leave options with my boss.

Long story short when did you or when do you plan to talk to your boss about being pregnant and leave option and why?

Answer

If I were you I would definitely wait until the probationary period is up (if at all possible). I told my boss at 10 weeks because of our relationship and I will be with our school district for a year and will receive FMLA leave.

Also, be sure to contact you short term disability carrier to find out how much they will pay, the number of weeks they will pay, as well as required documentation needed from you.

Hope this helps,
Tracey

Answer

I would wait until the probationary period if at all possible. I am from Minnesota also, and I'm pretty sure Minnesota only follows the federal FMLA act with a few added benefits that don't really apply to pregnant women (only applicable to other types of leave) so in this case based on what you say you won't be eligible for FMLA. Some employers in MN have other benefits surrounding leave but those are on a company by company basis.  Also be sure to look into your short term disability policy as mine has a 9 month period that needs to go by before it can be used for pregnancy and I believe it only pays 6 weeks at partial salary for pregnancy leave. Also you could look into how PTO and sick time works and if you could use that towards leave instead. Also depending on employeer many are flexible in leave if they value you as an employee they may be willing to work out something with you to take time off unpaid. But you won't have the added protection of having your job guaranteed for you under the FMLA act. Good luck hope you are able to work something out!

Answer

I told my boss last week at 10 weeks. I didn't discuss leave or anything else. Just informed him and then the rest of the staff. I have had an increase in dr visits that I've needed to leave work for and wanted to explain the reason behind them.

Answer

I told my boss already at 11 weeks, but my job can sometimes require lifting and just happen to be hosting a huge event...yea noo. I told her and she said she already knew by the way I had been acting and feeling lol. She took it well of course.

Answer

I'm in a similar situation and feel your anxiety over this.  I started a new job in March. Found out a few weeks after I accepted that I was pregnant. I also have a probationary period which won't be up before I show. I am really lucky that I have a signifiaant chunk of sick/vacation time that I'll be able to use. Otherwise without paid time off you are at the mercy of HR.

I'm gonna tell at 12 or 13 weeks. That's the usual time, and it 1) gave me time to get on their good side and show my value and 2) I could "blame" the delay on the whole miscarriage risk before the second trimester. I think that waiting any longer just shows that you were trying to hide it, which isn't good, and I wouldn't have felt OK with it.

I'd say tell at week 13 at the latest, unless you are only a few weeks from your probationary period being up. You can't legally get fired for being pregnant BUT they could find other reasons if they really want you gone. Which is crummy. But it happens.

Answer

Is there someone else you could talk to who has worked or works for the state but isn't in your chain of command?  Someone in another department? If you're in a union, they might be helpful. Maybe an anonymous call to HR?

Answer

I think you should tell her now. You risk others finding out if you start to show and I'd be far happier if an employee told me earlier and her plans for returning than waiting. You need her to hold your job and since fmla doesn't spply, by law she doesn't have to. If you tell her she might be willing to work with you to hold the job fir some time.

Answer

In your case idk, maybe wait until your probation period is over, unless you think your boss will get mad for waiting so long. I am a veterinary technician so I had to tell my boss the second I found out because there are too many dangers at the clinic for me if not taking the necessary precautions.

When do you tell your boss?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey