Corporate Climbers - when are you telling work?

Question

For women in very competitive corporate jobs - when are you telling work? Although there are laws against it, im concerned that as soon as work knows...I will be passed on for interesting projects and/ or promotions. Do others feel this way? How long do you plan to wait to tell work?

Answer

I have a very competitive job, and I was up for promotion right around the time I found out. I told my direct supervisors and it all worked out well for me. I got the job and everyone was really excited for me. I think telling around 12 weeks is good. Especially if you tell them with the spin of like 'I wanted you to be in the loop, I know it's important that you have a plan' type of thing. I hope they're receptive! :)

Answer

I've decided that I'll tell my boss at 13 weeks. I'm also concerned that it'll mean that I'll get passed up for projects, but I'd rather have a longer amount of time to confront any of these issues and see what prejudices I can counteract by volunteering for more assignments and trying hard to make everyone see it as a non-issue.

I'm worried if I wait longer they'll still think the same way they would now, and the only difference would be that I'd have less time working when I have plenty of energy for 12+ hour days and feel good enough to prove them wrong (if they actually do decide to be idiots. I guess there's still hope that they'll be great about the whole thing).

Whatever happens, good luck! I'm sorry that so many of us have to worry about something like this.

Answer

I will notify at 12-13 weeks, but if you're not showing, you could wait longer. I work at a major pharma, and I have a work friend who waited until 16-17 weeks bc she had similar fears to yours. In her case, she probably could have notified earlier with no negative effects, and people were surprised that she waited so long.

I'm not advocating early or late notification, but notifying later would give you more time to get involved in projects and plan both your pre-baby work and organize what to do during maternity leave, all without others' interference. Just check into your HR policies - some require that you notify your manager of a planned leave X number of weeks/months prior to the leave.

Answer

I told work early on when I was doing Ivf and subsequently got passed over for a $3,000 salary increase and title of regional field trainer because my boss said that she wanted me to focus on my pregnancy and first baby and not take on added work.

I'm still doing added work and supporting people, and I'm pissed that I told her and someone else got picked. Was told when I come back from leave (which I'm strongly considering not doing, and secondly, is rather be a trainer while pregnant and then back off and not have extra work when I have a newborn) I would have the position.

In any case, it did affect my climb. It's fine, I know it's against the law to discriminate against pg.

Answer

I was completely exhausted early on, so I told my direct supervisors/boss and was able to adjust my schedule slightly. Told the bigger boss in person at 11 weeks since he was in town. I will tell HR at 12 weeks, after my screening. I am up for a big promotion so I'm very concerned that this may affect my chances. They told me "absolutely not!", but we'll see...

Answer

I'm planning to tell after our NT Ultrasound, at 12 1/2 weeks. I'm really stressed about it as I work at big pharma, there is a new job opening up soon that I could apply for, and my boss can be petty.  Also, we're just two that "run the ship" from the office, and my coworker just got another position - covering someone else's mat leave!! I've had coworkers (close friends) give me advice from "just tell, put a happy spin on it, reinforce your commitment" to "let your boss know that you suffered a MC before, and that's why you waited till 12 1/2 wks to tell, even though you knew you were pregnant while your coworker interviewed and left for the other position." I'm very stressed about it all, I'm not sure how he'll take it either way, and I've worked my butt off for 9 years there now... Any advice for telling a sometimes-chauvinist boss?

Answer

I'm 14 weeks. Planning to tell work at 16.

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I had to tell at 6 weeks because I have been VERY sick and did not want to come off as a sudden slacker for missing work occasionally when previously I have literally never missed it.

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Had to tell my boss at 7 weeks due to horrendous morning sickness I had to explain myself x

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Ive told my direct boss but not everyone. I have the same concerns and am now 12 weeks.

Corporate Climbers - when are you telling work?

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