You love your job very much. But you and yours have been equally busy back at home, slowly adulting behind closed doors. Within no time, the consequence starts showing in your stomach. But at what point should you disclose pregnancy to your employer?
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I was standing in for my sister M. I had five candidates on my interview schedule. My sister had made it clear that I needed to choose a reliable and hardworking candidate for the shop attendant position. I had so far interviewed four candidates and I was not amused. I patiently waited for the fifth candidate. She was a charm! She had such a friendly allure and adequate skills to nail the role at hand. ‘Do you have any questions for me?” I asked. “Not really, but I’m pregnant!” she replied with a straight face.
I did not know how to react. Being a lady, I understand the struggles of pregnancy. One time you will wake up and notice you don’t like the pimple on the face of the woman that sells you bread. In the afternoon, the books on the shelf will be smelling like trash, and in the evening, you will hate the walking style of the stranger who just walked past you on the road! Such are the struggles of a pregnant woman. I looked at the amount of work to be done, looked up at her with a sweet smile and said, “Thank you for your time, we will call you.”
Pregnancy is a big part of transitioning to parenthood. To some, pregnancy is evidence that you are keen on raising a family. But when you’re officially unmarried, in your first job and heavily pregnant, breaking this news to your employer looks like a tall order but not anymore. Here are some tips on how to disclose pregnancy to your employer.
Do not disclose pregnancy during the interview
Can we agree that it’s totally okay to be pregnant? That being settled, you are not legally bound to disclose pregnancy to your potential employer. While it might seem that our society has progressed, disclosing your pregnancy status during an interview might deny you the opportunity to get that job.
Determine the right time to tell your employer pregnancy news
Whereas it’s not written in stone, you need to be strategic about your timing when it comes to breaking the pregnancy news to your employer. I highly advise you to break the pregnancy news after your first trimester. This will allow you enough time to gather your thoughts and ascertain that truly, you are with a child.
Do not wait until the end of your pregnancy to deliver the news. Your employer needs to make plans for your maternal leave and make arrangements for someone to stand in for you in your absence. If you don’t communicate early, this will make you an inconsiderate employee.
Additionally, some pregnancies are complicated. They need a few adjustments to the normal working schedule, for example working from home. As such, communicate early with your employer so that they can make the necessary adjustments for you
Break the news before your baby bump protrudes
Imagine the awkwardness when you bump into your employer in the hallway with a protruding tummy? I understand you might want to surprise your enemies of progress with a bouncing baby when the time comes, but the element of surprise in the workplace is not ideal. Be prompt to communicate your pregnancy as soon as possible to your employer.
Important to note, is that there’s nothing to be ashamed of in matters of pregnancy. Pregnancy is joyous as much as it is a delicate matter. So go ye and fill the world! Trust me, your employer will adjust.
