when to tell work

[Swimgirl83]

Morning everyone.

So I am currently 11+2, 12 week scan booked for next week.

Not told work yet, currently WFH until at least April next year so real need to.

But when do people normally tell their work, as I know at some point they may need to think about backfilling my role etc (although I am only taking 4 months off)

With DD1 my boss found out when I was 6 weeks (he had guessed something was up as I was asking to wfh more than normal due to morning sickness and we had a really good relationship so I confided in him) now at a different company altogether!

Thanks!

@Swimgirl83 I think it's up to you really. I told my boss at 3 weeks (yes really) as he'd been incredibly supportive through two MC and I needed him to understand why I was going to appointments and generally out of my mind and unable to concentrate some days. I would've told work early if I had a physical job etc that could be affected by pregnancy as well. And I would've left it later if I thought it would affect promotions/redundancy etc (fortunately not in my case but I know some employers are less ethical than others).

Obviously remember you have to tell them before week 25 to qualify for SMP. Your work may have a policy on it as well - mine aligns to the SMP rules. So if I don't tell them before I'm 25 weeks I get no maternity pay at all (worrying thought!) I actually did all the paperwork this week as got my MAT B1 at the 20wk scan.

I would leave it for a while as you are working at home. I think it would be different if you were not wfh. Maybe tell them after Christmas.

I told my boss at 6 weeks due to sickness, then told the wider team at 14 weeks.

Is there a reason as to why you want to hold off or not tell them? I would usually wait until my 12 week scan.

The latest you can leave it is 15 weeks before birth so any time between now and then will be OK

I had to tell them before 25 weeks.

I told just my boss at just over 12 weeks, so he could get on with hiring cover, and he appreciated it. I told a couple of work friends around 16 weeks, then everyone else at 21 weeks after the anomaly scan.
I could never have hidden it so long without WFH though!