Telling work

[LJF1609]

Hi all

Looking for some advice. I’m currently 16.5 weeks pregnant with DC2 and I haven’t yet told work (working from home means I can get away with it!). In my year review last month I spoke to my manager about a pay rise and she’s finally come back to me to say that benchmarking has shown it’s possible to give me an increase, but can’t confirm what that is yet as it needs to be signed off by senior bods (have been told it’s incredibly unlikely they’ll refuse). This won’t happen for another few weeks yet but I’m keen to share the news, what with appointments coming up as well as just given them notice, especially as another member of the team is going off on mat leave in about 6 weeks.

Would you spill the beans now based on being told a raise is coming or wait until I’ve officially got it in writing? X

I'd wait. And then wait a bit once you've got it. Pregnancy is a protected characteristic but personally I wouldn't want the hassle of a fight for the sake of a few weeks.

Thanks @Forestdweller11. I’m leaning more towards waiting, I’m just mindful of it reflecting poorly on me if I tell them once I’ve got the payrise but rather that awkwardness than lose out on money.

Honestly, I'd wait. I wouldn't bother til you either hear, or have to declare it. Make up some excuse like you had a scare and didn't want to share too early.
Fwiw I didn't tell my clinical colleagues til I was about 17 weeks, and had a pay rise and just got a promotion 6 months prior, one batted an eyelid when I told them -but I waited!
Congratulations by the way!

I’d wait too until it’s in writing. Just make sure you’re within your maternity leave guidelines for notification.
Fwiw, 18 weeks here and I’ve not told my work yet either. Planning to wait until the 20 week scan and go from there.

Thanks all. Good to know I’m not the only one not sharing the news until later on. It’s such a shame that we even have to think like this; potentially being penalised for being pregnant but I know it’s be very difficult to prove so it makes sense to keep quiet a little longer.

Have they said in writing that the pay rise is possible but needs to be approved by higher ups?

If so then that would give you something to go back on if they try and take it away.

I was in a similar position a few months ago. I wanted to tell work about the pregnancy at around 18 weeks once promotion had been secured. Unfortunately I got quite ill with dizziness at around 13 weeks and had to tell them anyway.

I’m pleased to say that the pay rise and promotion were not impacted. I know this specifically because me and another college were both at the same stage and have been awarded the the same ‘new’ salary.

I’d wait until you get it in writing but check your maternity policy for when you have to tell work by

@PinkPlantCase Nothing in writing so far, only in conversation so I think I’m best to wait. If I’m honest I don’t think it’ll be a huge surprise to them. I haven’t made a secret of wanting two children and my son is now 20 months so I think most people are expecting it. I definitely couldn’t hide it much longer though if I wasn’t working from home as bump has popped out much earlier this time round!

Just use the 20 Weeks scan as your excuse, you wanted to make sure everything was ok before sharing (rather than it being about the payrise)

Legally, in Scotland at least, you don't need to tell them until 15 weeks before your due date. I'm waiting until after my 20 weeks just to be safe anyway as we have had losses before.

Don't feel bad for not letting them know at this point.