advice for announcing pregnancy to boss

[ThePartyArtist]

Very soon I'm going to need to tell my boss I am pregnant. I am currently 12 weeks. Getting very nervous about telling her as she is not the nicest. Any tips for how to prepare? I want to come across as having made a plan for the time I am off, not just leaving our small team to pick up the pieces. What sort of things do I need to have pre-planned before I tell her?

[PotatoBread]

I guess your workload between now and then and for the time you'll be off. What you think you'll have done before you go off and what will need to be handed over and to who. It's good that you'll have thought of this but some of this is her responsibility to consider and sort too - part and parcel of being a boss whether she's nice or not. Good luck - I was nervous about telling my boss too!

[PrancingMoose]

It's honestly as simple as sitting down with her and starting, "I have some news......" Planning for your maternity leave is definitely down to both of you. She will need to decide with you how the business wants to cover your leave plus the plan for your return to work, especially if you decide not to come back full time. It's a process that any manager will need to work through fairly with their employees. Thankfully, there is a shit load of legislation in place to guide the way.

[Marshpillow]

Don't apologise, or act like it's an inconvenience. Just be polite and straight to the point. If you have any suggestions as to how they can manage your absence then great but that's for you both to work out between you, not for you to fret about alone.

[Dueindecember2016]

I was in the same boat! just make sure you know your entitlements. Information about your maternity leave doesn't need to be discussed until you get your MATB1 form at around 25 weeks.

Make sure they don't overwork you or get you stressed. I wish I had taken my own advice during the early stages of my pregnancy.

Enjoy :) xx