Hellobee Boards

When you are out on maternity leave what happens to your work? Does someone else do it?

@Adira: yah I think we would need to know if someone will be covering you while you are on leave. Because if so, you should just make it as if you are going to be there...

I would tell your boss - I know it's a personal issue but if this a that big of a project I really think you need up be upfront now! Schedule delays are costly and I wouldn't want to be the reason for it ... ( this is me talking from someone who works in the govt contracting world )

@Adira: ahh, in that case, I would just tell them.

I started a new job when I was pregnant and in fairness to them I told them I was pregnant - only 7 weeks, hadn't even told my in laws - just so they knew what they were getting into (small company and I told them I wanted 12 weeks off) - and I felt better being totally honest up front, no one got screwed, and they appreciated it.

I would just tell my boss early and ask her/him to keep it quiet for another couple of weeks--then I would ask my boss if he wants me to plan on someone replacing me during my maternity leave when I'm making the work timeline.

I'm a teacher/librarian and last year, my boss asked me if I would head a new summer program...and at that point I was about 9 weeks pregnant. I just told him on the spot I wouldn't be able to do it because I was pregnant and due in the summer. I didn't want to lead him on when I knew I wouldn't be able to do it---then, I just asked him to keep it quiet for a few weeks until I was ready to officially announce.

I'd just tell your boss and ask him/her to not say anything but at least your timeline will be understood.

I had to tell my boss at around 8 wks b/c I happened to have my review and my boss thought I was really unhappy or upset with him so I had to fess up! It turned out not to be a big deal since he isn't going to tell anyone. It actually worked out for me since he's sensitive to why I come in late or appear lethargic half the time!

I'd be honest about it - you don't have to tell everyone, but I'd at least tell my boss.

I think I'd also be honest about it, strictly telling my boss about my situation. Together, we'd come up with a schedule and a plan on whether that included a replacement for while I was out or an extended timeline based on me being out. I'd also ask that my boss keep my news confidential until I was ready to announce.

I would also say to tell your boss, and when you do just let him/her know that you aren't ready to announce just yet but you thought they needed to know. Maybe that will help keep it unannounced until you feel more comfortable?

@Adira: I would tell everyone that NEEDS to know for sure. So in your case the program manager and the senior software person.

@Adira: Yeah, I don't know anything about programming, basically I just mean I would tell the people that really need to know and tell them to keep it to themselves until you're ready to announce.

If someone else can take over the project when you go on mat leave, make the schedule as is and tell them later. If it has to be you, I would tell whomever needs to be involved in the schedule now so they can plan accordingly.

I am 100% for employers being accommodating of pregnancy and parenting and all that jazz. But I think it's our responsibility to make that as easy as possible for them. I think you can make it very clear that you are disclosing your pregnancy earlier than you feel comfortable and do not want to discuss it further at this time, but I think that practically they need to know you will be gone.

I think I agree about telling your boss/person in charge of your project but being very clear to keep it quiet. I do have a question though, in your over thread about announcing to ILs didn't you say that you feel like you're showing? I'm just wondering if you don't tell your boss if they are going to wonder if you are showing already or will be soon... Just a thought, I work with all women though so they speculate on this stuff more than guys

@Adira: great advice from your managers!

Yep, do the "realistic" project timeline as is, they'll have to have a backup resource for when you're out! It'll still be completed according to the "realistic" timeline.