How and when should I tell my boss that I'm pregnant (been here for 3 months)?

Question

I am 19 (kinda young) and work full-time at an office making good money and have excellent health insurance. I live with my boyfriend, who makes almost as much as I do, so I can't afford to not have a job. Well I've been here for just over 3months and I am 10 weeks pregnant (just found out April 2), so my due date is Nov. 27. How and when should I tell my boss that I'm pregnant? What determines if my job is worth holding for me? Can they still let me back after 2 or 3 weeks after the babys born (I plan I using my 40 hrs vacation and 40 hrs personal time for 2 of those weeks)? I'm afraid I'll be discriminated cuz my boss always talks about how everyone in our department is young enough to be her kids and everyone here treats us (our department consists of 19-22 year olds) as if we are kids. WHAT DO I DO? I NEED THIS JOB AND INSURANCE.

Answer 1

Legally you don't have to tell them until 30 days before you plan to go on leave. They'll figure it out on their own before that, but that's all you legally have to do. Because you won't have worked for the company for at least a year, I don't think you'll qualify for FMLA, but here's a link for you do read up a bit more on it: http://www.employer-employee.com/fmla.html

If all you take is vacation time and personal leave then you'll definitely have your job waiting as long as they approve the time off. And if you're doing well after 2 weeks you should be okay to return to work (though if you're going to be using a daycare there are many who don't take babies younger than 6 weeks old). Just work on making yourself a valuable asset to the company that they'll want to keep employing.

Answer 2

Pregnancy is your personal life. You don't have to say a word your belly getting bigger will do it for you. You can't get fired for being pregnant, it's unconstitutional! If your company is any good the should have maternity leave (usually between 6- 12 weeks). You shouldn't have to use any vacation time. This is an issue for all women you shouldn't feel guilty for having a life out side of work. My sister was in the work force for 10 years when she finally got pregnant, her boss hated it! When she was on maternity leave she made a life changing decision to leave the company to stay home with the baby. This was a big risk for her and her husband since she made 2 times as much money as he. But, he stepped up, put out applications on the net and got a better paying job and keeps his eyes peeled for the next step up. Not only are the doing good, but they are now expecting there second child and things are great. You might want to look in to your options after your maternity leave is over, it may not be in your best interest to go back to work. Child care is very expensive! It is sometimes less of a financial burden for mom to stay home with the kid. One of my sisters pay check was just enough to cover child care and gas, So she was just basically paying some one else to raise her kid. So what ever you decide, make sure you fill out your insurance forms before you go to the hospital and before you leave the hospital so you don't have any problems. And remeber pregnacy is not a desease therefore is not a pre-existing condition, you might have to remind your insurance company of that. Good luck girl! Oh and by the way I was 19 when I had my first, Wisdom does't come with age it comes with the paticence. No one can tell you what to do so, take the time to make this important Choice for your Family.

Answer 3

Actually she can't fire you because you are pregnant. She can not pay you while you are off. Family and Medical Leave Act prohibits her from firing you. Just do a good job and make youself come to work even on the bad days and you should be fine. I waited until I was 13 weeks pregnant before I told my boss and I had it all planned out that I would work until the baby was born and that I would take 4 weeks off and work part time the other 2 weeks. Babies cannot go to daycare until 6 weeks old. He was fine with it. I was just open and honest.

Answer 4

I would tell them when your about 3 or 4 months along. I don't know where you work or what state but here in Missouri its a work at will state which mean you can be fired without reasonable cause. However, if we prove it was for race or descrination prego etc, then we can get the job back.

What I would do is 1, make sure you do great at your job and don't screw up. Don't gossip or have any reason or cause to upset people or make enemies and don't even make friends stay all Accquantances. When the time comes for you to tell your boss let him/her know you plan to use your vaction time (granted you qualify for it at that time) Also, look at your insurnce when did it kick in? some companies have a 90 day policy and some 1 year before you can get insursed. I would check that.

Answer 5

Wait until you really start showing to tell her. I'd wait until I was 5 or months along. Then tell her and make sure you act really happy when you tell her. If she says anything about you waiting so long to tell her, just tell her that you wanted to make sure everything was ok with the pregnancy before you spilled the beans. :)

Tell her that you'd like to use your 40 hrs personal time and 40 hrs vacation for the time you are away. I doubt she'll get rid of you. Just be honest and tell her how much you like working there and how you want to come back after the baby is born. Invite her to the baby shower.

Also, don't screw up by missing work or goofing off at work during the next few months. Be her "go to" girl!

Good luck! :)

Answer 6

It depends on how your pregnancy goes. So far, it sounds like you haven't have any morning sickness, which is good, I hope you don't. You may have to explain it earlier than you'd like if you have to miss any work because of being sick.

I would let them know as soon as you had a plan figured out, if you are planning to return to work after 6 wks, or if you are allowed any extra time off due to their policies. Check out the FMLA act to see if you qualify for being there only 3 months, you may be by the time the baby arrives.

At any rate, be honest. If you are really up front about the whole thing, I'm sure your boss will understand how you feel, especially if she really thinks of you as one of her kids.

Good luck! And happy pregnancy!

Answer 7

I have a very similar case to you. I am 20 years old, have been with this company for 4 months and am due November 24th. I have great health insurance and I still have not told my boss of my pregnancy. I will end up telling them very soon because it is getting obvious that my belly is getting bigger. I have worked harder than before so hopefully they will take that into consideration and I have not missed work (thankfully I dont have morning sickness). I think you should tell them soon because they will see that even though you are pregnant, you put 100% to your work and they will see you aren't slacking off on your duties. I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 8

Most states have a Mandatory Maternity Leave of three months in which the company has to keep your job open for you (most use temps in that time until you return). He may notice you are pregnant before you bring it up (morning sickness, weight gain) but I would let him know by the end of the first trimester so he has time to find a temp and discuss leave options.
My boss is totally cool with me taking off three months. I did however suggest a replacement that he would not have to retrain on everything. You could also offer to train your temp so there is little problems in transition. I would not use sick or personal leave for it, you may need that for other things first. Remember, most doctors put pregnancy in the parisite/desease catagory.

Answer 9

Hey don't worry, look maybe you should just be honest with them and tell them. You can't turn back time now, so it's over and done with.

I'm dead sure that you can sort something out. but you tell your boss, you willing to come back after 2-3 weeks after the baby is born and your willing to work as much as possible.

Cross fingers your boss will understand. And don't worry about the discrimination, they might be just saying that out of jealousy.

And we are not kids!!

I'm 18, 11 weeks gone and due november 21st!!

GOODLUCK

Answer 10

I was pregnant at 18 with ym son and was working. I told them as soon as I found out cuz I'd been there for abotu 2 months. They understood adn I didnt' loose my job while I was pregnant. And they told me that when I had the baby I could come back whenever I was ready. They understood since my boss had bene in the same situation when she was my age. As logn as you are a great employee, you should be alright. Negotiate with them. they'll understand. Being pregnant is not a bad thing. They shouldnt' be treating you as though it is!!!!! Good Luck!!!!