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How close are you to your team? I personally wouldn't mention anything about actual work or FMLA or any of the actual maternity leave/work stuff. I don't think anyone aside from my boss should be associated with that stuff even in passing conversation.

If it was me, I'd send the pic of Xander.

I don't think I would be that specific. Just say that you are expecting in early December and attach the picture. Have they all meet your son? If they haven't or you aren't that close, I don't think I'd attach a picture.

@mrsjyw: Ha, jinx!

@mrsjyw: I agree.

I would tell each person individually and allow conversations about work/FMLA to come up naturally. I guess I feel that announcements are reserved for people to get excited about baby, I don't know that mentioning how you'll be out of work is going to be exciting for your team (not to say they won't be happy for you or anything--just think there's no need for a formal announcement at work).

Personally I would be more low-key and just tell people naturally without a big announcement (mention it over coffee, in the staff room, etc). That's what I did for my first and word spread on it's own .But maybe if you're super close and it's something they would get excited about ?

Definitely no need to mention mat leave or anything though...id leave that up with your boss.!

@Adira: I don't think it should matter to anyone how long you'll be out. And the work will be redistributed by your boss. Also - I wouldn't attach the pic of Xander either (after reading your addl details)... In the scenario you described, I actually wouldn't even do a group announcement. I did one at my work because my team is a small group and we share personal things like birthdays/weddings/etcs together. It doesn't sound like that is the case, so I'd do a one on on announcement as it came up with my coworkers in your situation.

I never did a real announcement, I don't know why but I would have felt kinda weird about it. And I wouldn't put anything in writing this early about how long your leave will be, when it's starting, what type it is, etc. You never know what will happen between now and then - if you'll need longer, if you'll end up having to leave earlier than you're expecting, etc.

I just told one or two people and let the word spread on it's own. It was kind of fun having people come up to me saying, "So...I heard something about you. Is it true?" Haha!

I would definitely make it more formal and not attach a picture. I'm super close to my team (we hang out outside work) and i still wouldnt make the announcement this way. I told my co-workers individually that i was adopting and discussed time off with my direct manager only.

@Adira: Is it possible to wait until next Monday and announce in person then?

@Adira: if you need to tell them in terms of work coverage, that's really your direct manager's job. If you're not that close, just let them notice when you're seriously showing.

ETA: you've basically posted your solution above. Tell your actual work friends and just let office chit chat do its job.

Office chit chat gets around fast....

@Adira: That makes perfect sense! Hmm, can you just call your team together (how many are there in your team?) and tell them?

@Adira: do all 2,000 need to know you are pregnant? just your team right? i would assume if you mention it to your functional manager, he will need to tell the team to get coverage.

You're over-complicating this, girl. Tell your boss who assigns you your day-to-day work first since obviously he needs to know. You can tell him it's not a secret. If your work is anything like mine, word will spread fast as they start talking about whether they'l be changing deadlines or having other people working on your projects while you're gone or whatever.

After reading the details you added, I agree with @hotchildinthecity. Just tell the people you are somewhat close to and word will get around enough. Everyone will eventually know you are pregnant lol. The only one who really needs to know for maternity leave stuff is your boss.