when do I have to tell my employer legally about my pregnancy?

Question

I have been working for my employer for 2 months. My pregnancy does not interfere with my job performance. Can I get fired for having to take time off? I am 20 weeks pregnant and am ok'd by the doctor to work until I am due in October.

Answer 1

Here is what the law says:

You must notify your employer of your intention to take maternity leave by the end of the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth, unless this is not reasonably practicable. You must inform you employer that:

1. You are pregnant
2. The expected date of childbirth
3. When you want maternity leave to start

Answer 2

FMLA is the law in the US that covers these kinds of leave...unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that one rule is that you have to be with the employer for at least a year to be covered under FMLA; otherwise, you don't qualify and your company can let you go if you're gone too long.

Given that you've been there less than a year, i'd tell your boss ASAP and hope for the best - maybe you can take one or two months off instead of the full three. Also, confirm with your HR dept about FMLA laws.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I told my boss straight away. That way I gave him enough notice that I wanted maternity leave at the end of the year and that I will be taking time off for my appointments. Legally in Australia they are not allowed to fire you just because you are pregnant as it is discrimiation so the quicker you tell your boss the better off you are legally if he does fire you. Discrimination happens all over the world, preganant women can be discrimitated again for purely procreation

Answer 4

Legally...you don't have to tell them anything. But, if you are taking leave...you must of course tell them. It would be a good idea to check leave rules...as since I wasn't employee a year...I could only take a mth off....

Answer 5

i think you should tell the boss CAUSE HE WILL FIND OUT sooner or later. do it now so you don,t have to much stress and hurt the baby by accident. my mom was in your exact promblem.