Having to tell work

[Sliiim]

Bare with me whilst I explain this😂

I had my booking in appointment 2 days ago and I’m now off work for a week(took holiday)

At my booking in scan I was told when my 12 week appointment will be and it will be the week I go back to work on a Wednesday. I haven’t told work im pregnant yet and I will need to take time off work for this appointment. (My normal day off is a friday)

I have a close relationship with my boss and colleague, so I’m gonna have to go in on my week off and tell my boss?! But how the hell do I do it without it being awkward? Do I go in because I need to buy something and then ask to speak to her upstairs???

She’s gonna be off the week I go back to work for holiday so I can’t leave it any longer and I can’t really lie to work about the appointment as I should get paid time off anyways!

HELP IM WORRYING😂

I didn't tell my work I was pregnant till I was half way through the 2nd trimester. Then again, I wfh a lot and any appointment I would usually just block out in my calendar and then log in later to make up the time. However, mine is office based and good with the work life balance and hybrid working policies. Is it a must to tell them now ?

You don't have to tell your boss anything at this point. Could you not just say you have a doctor's appointment? Most companies allow time for this if you stress it's important (could always fib and say it's a last-minute/urgent appointment). Alternatively, call in sick.

My point is, no one needs to know at this point unless you want them to. Huge congrats on your pregnancy!

(Should also add, I withheld details of my pregnancy until almost 20 weeks, and mine was an IVF pregnancy, so no mean feat. Do what's right for you.)

I know some say you don’t need to tell work straight away but also take into account nature of the work as you do need risk assessments in place too

I told management at 4 weeks due to risk assessments

I also didn't tell work until I was 20 weeks. Just say you have a doctor's appointment or dentist or something??

i don’t understand the big deal, email the boss informing them of your pregnancy and state you’ll be taking time off for your ultrasound appointment. Give the date and time. Inform them that this is to be kept strictly confidential as you do not wish for anyone else to know at this time.

I think you’re over thinking, can’t you just phone your boss? I told mine on the phone when I was about 6 weeks, as I needed to take sick leave and wanted to be honest; and she knew I had a miscarriage last year so it was hardly a surprise. And it can be beneficial to tell early if you do any jobs with possible risks so they can do a risk assessment

I know I am overthinking it but I suffer with extreme anxiety. This is my first and I don’t know how all this works and the etiquette of doing it.

I work in retail if it matters. Will I get told off for fibbing and saying the appt was for something else when they finally know I’m pregnant?

I know I can get paid time off for midwife appointments but I just didn’t want to say anything yet but now I’m stuck incase they can’t cover me because we are short staffed across all branches

Tell them you have a medical appointment and will be off on x day between y times.

I told mine at 6 weeks. To be honest she’s a friend too but also the nature of the work can be hard so needed to take into account

I couldn't be bothered with trying to find cover stories for when I needed time off and I also knew if anything happened early on I’d be happy to tell her too - as again I’d probably need time off

You’re massively overthinking
if you say you have a drs apt that’s not a fib.
doesn’t your boss have an email or phone number? Why do you need to go in?
or just move the appointment to a Friday? There’s no reason it needs to be on that day. There are a lot of options here.

Why don't you just tell them? I don't understand the dilemma or why you think it would be awkward

I think they’ll appreciate been told sooner than later considering you know they have staffing issues

I already said in a previous post

I know I am overthinking it but I suffer with extreme anxiety. This is my first and I don’t know how all this works and the etiquette of doing it

I don’t think my midwife does appointments on Fridays.

There isn't an etiquette. It depends on your relationship with your manager and how formal it is. Mine was "Got some news. I'm pregnant"

If you're uncomfortable saying it out loud for some reason just email. Later on you'll have some forms to fill in.

It doesn't have to be a big deal. You don't need to explain yourself or use any specifc language. If you want to make it easiest tell them earlier so you can just go to all your antenatal appts without needing to find an excuse.