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Info Centre - Pregnancy and Work
This page is taken from Returning to Work: a guide for parent, produced by NCT and Working families and sponsored by DHL, Russell Jones and Walker and Pregnacare.
Whilst there’s no guaranteed right way to announce your big news, there are a number of things you can do to increase a positive response and build a firm foundation for a smooth return to work after your maternity leave. When announcing your pregnancy you should aim to reassure your boss and colleagues of continued professionalism and commitment. It is worth bearing in mind that this will be a transition for your employer and colleagues as well as for you.
When should I tell my employer I’m pregnant?
Legally, you do not need to tell your employer of your pregnancy and intention to take maternity leave until the 15th week before your baby is due. Many women announce their pregnancy at the end of the first trimester (about 12 weeks), as at this time the risk of miscarriage is greatly reduced and a growing bump may not be easy to hide.
There are various benefits to telling your employer sooner rather than later:
- The more planning and preparation you (and your employer) do before you leave the easier both of you will find it when you return.
- An employer’s specific duty of care for a pregnant employee does not come into effect until informed of your pregnancy.
- If your pregnancy is difficult or you are experiencing issues with morning sickness or require time out of the normal work schedule for antenatal appointments, the right level of support may be difficult to arrange if your employer does not know you are pregnant.
- Although you may work for a company that employs lots of women, many managers have no recent experience of managing a pregnant employee.
An earlier announcement will enable all those involved to support you and the operational requirements of your organisation.
Regardless of when you announce your pregnancy verbally, if you wish to take maternity leave or claim SMP you need to notify your employer in writing of the date you want to start of you leave and wish to claim SMP. You also need to provide proof of your pregnancy, which is usually in the form of a MAT B1 certificate signed by your midwife or doctor. The MAT B1 certificate is usually not available until after week 16 of your pregnancy.
Who should I tell first?
Generally, it’s advisable to tell your boss first. Even the closest friend at work may make an unintentional comment that could reveal you are pregnant before you are ready for colleagues to know.
Telling your boss first will enable you to plan together how best to tell the other people you work with. It is absolutely fine to ask your boss to keep this information confidential until the time is right to tell other people. Depending on your role, your upcoming maternity leave may require a planned handover of relationships with customers, clients or suppliers in a way that does not impact the operation of the organisation.
If you anticipate a negative reaction from your boss it may be advisable to inform your employer earlier in confidence via HR.
How to prepare
The more you prepare, the easier it will be for you to plan what needs to be done. This also presents you as professional and committed.
- Talk to your GP or midwife about when it might be best to start maternity leave.
- Understand your organisation’s practices and policies, and your legal rights (see the previous section of this guide for your basic rights)
- Anticipate your boss’s reaction. This may be the first time your manager will have worked with a pregnant employee.
Concerns
Women who have worked hard to climb the corporate ladder may be concerned about getting less challenging projects, particularly if partnership is a career ambition. Organisations should understand the strong business case for employing women at all levels and work hard to build a culture that is inclusive.
Occasionally, announcing pregnancy can be met with a less than enthusiastic response. Whilst your boss may be genuinely happy for you, she or he may be concerned about meeting operational requirements and possible impact to the business, especially if this is the first time they have managed maternity. Being professional and prepared will enable you to reassure your boss of your commitment and increase your ability to make a smooth transition.
Your co-workers will probably be happy to share your joy; they may also have questions or concerns about changes to their own work as a result of your pregnancy and maternity leave. Other factors that may affect when and how you tell your colleagues is the culture of your organisation and the known or anticipated ambitions of your colleagues. You may find that relationships with colleagues change after announcing your pregnancy and, in a small number of instances, you may find that you are deliberately or inadvertently excluded from key meeting or decisions. If this does happen, be assertive about wanting to be asked and involved, and reassure your colleagues of your continued commitment to the organisation, its goals and your role objectives. If this does not happen this may be a form of discrimination and you should seek legal advice.
When You Return
As with all change there is an emotional and psychological adjustment. The first few days can be difficult. You may feel comfortable being back in a familiar environment while at other times it may feel like it will take ages to settle in again.
This is when all the preparation and planning will pay off. A back to work plan - agreed by your employer and including a planned handover period - will provide the framework to get back up to speed. You may find the plan needs to be readjusted because you are adapting quickly or not. It is OK to speed things up or down if that feels right to you.
If you built a strong network before you left and have kept in touch with people over your maternity leave, this will also pay dividends. You will find that you are welcomed back and can continue developing the relationships that will help you in your working life and career. Remember that this is a transition period for your colleagues and boss as well. You may choose to work differently from when you left. It will take time for your colleagues and boss to realise the full implications of this.
