Pay reviews this week. I am 10 wks and I think work know. Should I tell them?

[minipie]

As the title says really.

Ordinarily I wouldn't dream of telling them until 12 weeks and/or until after pay reviews.

However, I think they know already - I've had lots of medical appointments to go to (early scans plus booking in plus blood tests) - and I haven't been drinking at work dos. Plus, several years ago, I (stupidly) said to one of my bosses that I would want to start a family about now - and she has made it clear she remembers that conversation!

In this situation, I wonder if I might be better protected if I tell them "officially". They are reputedly rather paranoid about discrimination claims (it's a law firm) and so I wonder if it might actually work in my favour if I tell them "officially". If I don't tell them, but they have guessed, they can lowball my pay without there being any grounds for a discrimination claim - because there is no proof they knew.

So, should I tell them? Or am I overthinking the whole thing... ?

The sooner that you tell work, the sooner you are protected (you can't assume that they know) BUT it's also very hard to prove discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy is your pay review is pants. I would be inclined to tell them if you are so convinced that they know on the basis that they would see to it that your pay review is scrupulously fair regardless of your personal status.

I agree with Marie, but make sure you tell them in a seperate, specific meeting with your boss. Don't link the conversation to your pay review in any way.

I work for an oil major and I felt obliged to tell at about 10 weeks as we were plannign for the year and I won't be there for the last 4 months. Rather than amend my performance contract I was just told to get it done in the my time left (though not so bluntly)...so it backfired for me! Should have done the planning first and than said, oops pregnant, won't hit all my targets!

Mmm that's kind of what I thought marie thanks.

You're right it would be very hard to prove discrimination on grounds of pregnancy if the pay review is crap. And realistically I would probably never bring a discrimination claim just based on that (or at all...) But I have seen other pg women (once announced) get "kid gloves" treatment so wondering if I could benefit from that.

I'm not hoping to get anything more than I'd otherwise be entitled to of course, I just don't want them to think they can get away with lowballing my pay and bonus because they don't "officially" know iyswim.

oops missed your reply Naisy. about being expected to do 12 months' work in 8!

I don't think that could happen to me exactly as the thing I'm working on will continue and would have to be handed over to someone else - but there will certainly be pressure for me to do as much as possible before handover.

Good point about making it a separate meeting. And I could also link it to "helping them plan" and an explanation for my recent (and ongoing) absences.

My experience fwiw is my boss appreciated the fact I told him well in advance of anyone else (including my female friends at work). I was lucky that we discussed and were able to arrange mat cover before announcing to everyone internally which really helped. He was shocked at the news but giving him time to digest and feeling like he had special manager knowledge and time to plan helped soften the blow. I kept it businessy when i told him giving suggestions for what we needed to plan for in my absence.

Every now and again he'll ask how im doing after an appt and looks relieved when I say great and don't go into any pregnancy details, bless :)

mmm interesting Lois thanks. Difficulty is I have lots of bosses (law firm) though there is one guy I am mainly working for at the moment so it would make sense to tell him. I think he is the sort of person who would appreciate being told.