When and how to tell work about pregnancy

[Vavamum]

Hello All,

First of all, I am sorry if a similar question has already been asked, I’m kind of new to this forum. While I've read many old threads in the past and found them incredibly helpful, this is my first time writing here without feeling like I don’t belong here- I’m now very newly pregnant for the first time (happy but scared!) and I’m unsure when to share the news with my workplace.

My initial thought was to wait until I’m 12 weeks along before telling anyone at work. However, I’m in a bit of a predicament. I’ve signed up for a charity event with my colleagues that involves significant running and other intense exercise - essentially an extreme sports activity. I now realise I need to withdraw from this event for obvious reasons, but I’m not ready to share the news of my pregnancy just yet. The event is scheduled for two days after I reach the 12 week mark, so if I wait until then to say anything, it won’t give much notice for finding a replacement.

I would greatly appreciate any ideas or advice on how to handle this situation. How should I approach withdrawing from the event without disclosing the reason, or is there a better time to share my news with my workplace?

Thank you in advance for your guidance

Could you not still do the event? You don't need to give up exercise in pregnancy

Pregnant with 3rd and just started a new role (internal promotion) and planning to tell them tomorrow, I'll be 24 weeks. I am so nervous because other than announcing I'll have to tell them my due date is in 4 months.

Just to add ** not sure what the policy is like at your work place but at mine we have to inform HR and manager no later than 11 weeks before the due date.

You might be up for it, if you're already fit and have a good first trimester.

But it totally makes sense if you want to withdraw. I think it would be fine to sag 'I've found out about a potential health reason why I have to drop out'. If anyone is pushy for details be vague or tell them to mind their own beeswax.

I won't be giving up exercise but I won't be taking part in extreme sports

There is a date you have to tell them to get mat pay. Before then you tell them when you feel comfortable - usually just before you start showing or earlier if you are feeling unwell. Don’t do the event if you don’t want to. Find another reason.

You usually need to inform your employer by 25 weeks and can start maternity leave as early as 29 weeks.

Congratulations on both the promotion and your pregnancy. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow, it's just a normal life situation hopefully your boss understands + think of it as a few months to prep a very nice handover!

Thank you & you!

Usually I wouldn't mind telling them if I have been on the team long enough but you can't help feeling nervous given I just joined and now will have to leave so soon.

I guess you have 2 different situations here - officially giving notice to HR that you’re pregnant, and letting your team mates know why you’re not doing the event.

For HR, you usually have to let them know by 25 weeks, so when you do that is really up to you. I would suggest letting them know earlier though if you’re going to need any workplace adjustments. I told my employer as soon as I found out, and was pleased I did because I was so unwell and had to take loads of time off.

Regarding the event, whether you tell them the truth will depend on your relationship with the rest of the team. If they’re people you’re close to and trust, maybe tell them at around 8 weeks (so further along, but still hopefully enough time for them to replace you). If they’re not people you’d naturally want to know earlier, then let them know you won’t be doing it but come up with an excuse (maybe a relative could have a big birthday and you didn’t realise the date of their very important party clashes with the event?)

I'd just find another excuse to get out of the running event, can't you say you have a knee/ankle injury? Or are now busy? I told my manager when I was about 6 weeks as I felt so unwell, and I'd had a miscarriage before which she was very supportive of. But formally you only have to tell them by 15 weeks before your estimated due date.