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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Telling work during lockdown

25 replies

Maternitynurse16 · 04/05/2020 18:33

Has anyone had to tell their employers that they are pregnant during lockdown? It's looking more and more likely that I will have to and I'm not too sure the best way to do it. It's quite a small family run company, and I've been working from home since the middle of march. We've been told not to expect to be back in the office until at least June.. I'm 10 weeks now so not sure whether to tell them now, after 12 week scan or when we go back whenever that may be? Any advice appreciated!

OP posts:

duckling3 · 04/05/2020 19:00

Hi, I've told my employer on isolation at 14 weeks. They were pleased to know as soon as possible so they can plan maternity cover for me. I work for a large company so there is a bit of bureaucracy to go through to hire so it might be a bit different in your situation.

sunnygirl123 · 04/05/2020 19:02

I told my boss around 6/7 weeks. I was going to wait until 12 weeks, however I was working from home and there was talk of me going back into the office, which I didn’t want to do. So I told my boss and they have directed me to stay at home for the foreseeable. They were lovely about it!

LH1987 · 04/05/2020 20:12

If it were me, I would tell them after the 12 weeks over the phone. That way they have all the information they need when planning returns to the office. Maybe they will consider that you should just continue working from home etc. Also, if you are sick / have medical appointments you don't have to make up excuses!

India999 · 04/05/2020 20:17

I told my boss at 21 weeks when my bump started showing. The only reason I'd have told them sooner is because of healthy and safety/commute difficulties at work, I don't think legally you have to tell them for quite a while.

Original poster

Maternitynurse16 · 04/05/2020 20:39

I was thinking about telling them after the 12 weeks scan, but I am struggling to come up with excuses for time off for appointments as our doctor's surgery is closed unless it's an emergency so I feel like they would ask if I said it was a doctors appointment. Forgot to mention I did have a private scan at 8 weeks so I'm not worried about reaching the 12w milestone so to speak x

OP posts:

MichelleOR84 · 05/05/2020 09:05

With my first pregnancy ( which ended at 9 weeks in a miscarriage) I told work right away . I had horrible morning sickness and I just thought it was better to be honest than have them wonder why I’m in the toilet half the morning .

With my second pregnancy, which resulted in my baby boy , I had no morning sickness during work hours so I didn’t tell work until 13 weeks after my scan . I didn’t see a point really and my job has very low health and safety risks .

I’m currently 12 weeks pregnant , still with the same company, and I’m on furlough leave ( and have been since I was 6 weeks pregnant) . I’m undecided when I’ll tell work as all my bosses are also on furlough . My scan isn’t until next week and I haven’t told anyone yet ( not even family ) so I’ll have fun telling my close ones first and then I’ll decide when to tell work . I likely won’t he back until June too . I’m already showing so I’ll definitely need to tell over the phone vs in person .

In your situation, as you have appointments I would tell work now . That’s how I’ve always viewed it . If there is a need or reason to tell them do it otherwise wait until you feel comfortable.

Foreverbaffled · 05/05/2020 09:10

I would tell work now if you have appointments. Just makes it easier for you.

I had to tell my employer when I was 5 weeks which obviously felt incredibly early but I’m an nhs nurse and otherwise would have been having direct patient contact which I need to avoid.

PipTed · 05/05/2020 09:29

Hi. I’m also ten weeks and found out pretty much on the day that we were advised to start working from home, which was so lucky! Since, I have been put on furlough twice (April and May) and have made the decision not to tell work until absolutely necessary, e.g; when they decide on a return to work date.

Main reason is money - I don’t want my being pregnant to influence a decision on reduced hours upon return to work, as this will of course impact maternity pay. After speaking with the MD reduced hours is something they have been discussing...Another reason is that I had a miscarriage in November, so want to ensure all is well and the pregnancy is healthy before telling family. Work is the last place I will tell, as previously mentioned, legally you don’t have to tell them until 15 weeks Before due date.

OP - I know the situation is different for you as you are still working. But I think I would still hold off (if it was me) - as I’m not sure it’s any of work’s business what a medical appointment is for, even in these times. But if you feel uncomfortable With what to say should they question you, obviously that’s a different story.

Everyone has a different circumstance in this strange time, but I can’t help feeling like pregnant employees pose a total minefield for companies at the moment.

EithneBlue · 05/05/2020 09:58

I'm a teacher so told my school at about 4 weeks (now 10+6) -- I found out I was pregnant the week before we closed, in a piece of spectacular timing. Normally I wouldn't have said anything until at least after the 12 week scan & screening results (if not a little later) but I wanted to keep myself off the in-school rota to be as safe as possible (which wasn't a problem: they've managed to do the rota and keep everyone in a vulnerable category out of school). I suspect a few of my colleagues have guessed, though, as they knew I was TTC before Christmas but none of them are rude enough to ask ;-)

other89 · 05/05/2020 10:21

@eithneBlue
I'm also a teacher and found out that I'm pregnant while off. I'm only now about 5 weeks but I am due to be in work soon. I'm just wondering what will happen if we have to go back to work before the end of the year. I'm thinking that I should probably tell them and then just have to see what happens. It just feels very early to be saying :S

other89 · 05/05/2020 10:22

@EithneBlue
I'm also a teacher and found out that I'm pregnant while off. I'm only now about 5 weeks but I am due to be in work soon. I'm just wondering what will happen if we have to go back to work before the end of the year. I'm thinking that I should probably tell them and then just have to see what happens. It just feels very early to be saying :S

PipTed · 05/05/2020 11:02

Yes - I suppose the crux is whether or not you are required to go into work. I am not a key worker, so it’s a lot easier for me to lay low and wait for the next decision to be made. I would have a different approach if I was a key worker, as the advice is (according to my midwife) to self shield for 12 weeks, which obviously impacts who you tell and when, I’m order to ensure your safety.

MichelleOR84 · 05/05/2020 11:49

@pipted Exactly why I’m worried to tell work . Pregnancy is meant to protect you but that is not always the case . My hours likely won’t be reduced however my pregnancy will be an inconvenience to them and I’m aware I could be discriminated against .

Baba11 · 05/05/2020 12:07

@other89 @EithneBlue
Hi
I am also a teacher but only 4 weeks but feel it is very early to say anything. If schools do go back in June I will be hopefully be 8 weeks so will feel more confident about telling at least the head.
It is a scary time as I had a mc last time at 11 weeks so feel so scared

PipTed · 05/05/2020 12:21

@michelleOR84 I know that in an ideal world pregnant employees have rights, but I can’t help but think- at the moment the world is far from ideal and it’s in the company’s best interest to protect employees that have longevity for the next 12 months at least. I feel bad for companies in this position, but my need to support my child in the best way I can outweighs that and furlough pay is not exactly helping us save as we intended. I fear that if I shared the news now, it would be easy for my employer to use the current situation to their advantage when deciding on their return to work strategy. It’s so difficult.

1990shopefulftm · 05/05/2020 12:50

I told mine the day the lockdown started at 8 weeks having just had a private scan and they ve been absolutely wonderful about appointments, I couldn't wish for a better manager.
Some people in the company have been furloughed but as I ve shown plenty of enthusiasm before the lockdown and my roles quite essential , I don't seem to have anything to worry about with that.

EithneBlue · 05/05/2020 13:01

@other89 and @Baba11 I think it depends on your relationship with your Head of Department and Headteacher to be honest I was really clear that I was telling them very early, but the union advice is not to be in school so I wanted to let them know -- both were very supportive. No one else is aware. Of course it's a risk to tell so early, but I weighed that up against the risk of going in to school and decided that telling them was better.
You could wait until the official plan for return has become clearer before you make a decision about what to do?

HarrietM87 · 05/05/2020 13:07

I’m 13 weeks and found out I was pregnant a week before lockdown. I’m not planning on telling them until after I’ve had my appraisal as I don’t trust them! Luckily I’ve been wfh since lockdown so they have no idea. I might hold out until we have to go back in physically as it doesn’t make any difference to my ability to work, and they don’t need loads of notice to get cover.

Baba11 · 05/05/2020 15:22

@EithneBlue yes think I will wait until the exit plan has been released and then make a decision.
My head is really nice bless her but feel like it is too early at the moment

Stabal · 05/05/2020 15:30

I work in a high school and only in on days when there's children of key workers in which hasn't been very often (small town) but I'm 8+3 now and very wary of when I'm going to be called in to work and how I approach what I tell my supervisor as I'm conscious my pregnancy is high risk. It's a very confusing and uncertain time for sure.. After TTC for over 2 years this is just typical timing for me 😂

Baba11 · 12/05/2020 19:36

I think given the announcement that schools are to go back on the 1st June, I think I have to let me head know.
@Stabal you have been trying for a long time why risk it. If I had been trying for so long I would not want to take any chances.
I spoke to the midwife and I asked her. She advised me to tell my head as pregnant women are classed as vulnerable and need to be shielded.

Stabal · 12/05/2020 19:41

@Baba11 unfortunately I've had a missed miscarriage and had to tell the school. Well not 'had' to but I thought it better being honest with them

Baba11 · 12/05/2020 19:47

@Stabal sorry to hear that chick.

user1487755366 · 13/05/2020 17:24

I told my boss before I told my husband
Was due to be at work the following day and would have needed last minute cover. I'm very glad that I did.

other89 · 15/05/2020 09:49

@Baba11 I did end up telling my head. She was fine about it and took me off the rota to be in work. I'm still not 100% sure on my dates because I have irregular periods and haven't had a period in months. I've got an appointment next week so am hoping that will clear up my dates a bit more.

@Stabal I'm sorry to hear that.

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