Telling work

[MrsB44]

Hello,
I'm interested to find out when people told work they are expecting?
I don't really want to tell them yet because I'm so early on (6weeks +4) but I work in a very male dominated job (builders merchants) with no other female employees so feel a bit on my own.
My job does involve heavy lifting from time to time and I know if the boys knew I was expecting they would make sure I wasn't lifting or doing anything dangerous.
From a health and safety point of view would it be best to tell them now? My 12 week scan is on 15th November and I was going to wait till then.

[NapQueen]

Legally you can wait till 24/25 weeks pregnant.

In terms of health and safety best to tell in advance if you need a technical reason to get out of things

Is it possible to feign a different sort of ailment which would mean you can't lift? Backache or wrist pain?

[HeadDreamer]

Given your job I'd say after the 12 week scan if you are comfortable at lifting? Otherwise you'd have to have a chat with your supervisor so they can make accomodation for you.

I didn't tell until after the 20 week scan on my last pregnancy. But I have a desk job and the most dangerous thing is RSA with the mouse!

[MoonlightMojitos]

I plan on telling mine before the 12 week scan so I can have the time off work for it paid! You can't claim time back after you've told them but otherwise they have to give you paid time off. I'd be rubbish at lying otherwise about what the time off was for. I figure if anything did go wrong I'd need/want time off anyway so they might as well know. I'll probably tell them around 10 weeks or a few weeks before the appointment. And only my manager/directors and then everyone else after the scan. I work in an office though so no issues with safety. Obviously it's all down to when feels right for you though.

[UnicornPee]

I'm 16 weeks and haven't told them, dreading it.
Gonna have to do it in the next two weeks as my bump is getting bigger each week and is harder to conceal

[kp78]

I'm with you UnicornPee 18 weeks and still not told them...dreading it and I work in HR !!!

But in answer to the question, I'd tell them as soon as you are comfortable with telling them. In the meantime maybe tell them you need help lifting anything heavy and don't say why.

[MrsB44]

Thanks ladies, I think I might just wait till after my scan.
I've told them Im on antibiotics to get out of drinking at boozy staff do this weekend and I've complained of a sore back (not exactly lying it's aching!)
I think given that they're all young guys with no kids they will probably not guess! X

[Chaseley]

I told my work when I was 5 Weeks, simply because I was in my probation & hospital had just signed me off for a week pregnancy related....my work don't take too kindly with time off so I had to tell them simply to keep my job, had I concealed the pregnancy, they'd have just let me go at my 3 months. I've since had another bout of time off, another which they can't sack me for!