Being open with your manager about plans to have children (or more children)

[barcelona87]

I'm asking in the context of thinking of ideas for an MSc Occupational Psychology research project and want to test whether there is something interesting to say about this.

My hunch is people generally don't feel comfortable openly discussing it and this could impact career planning / the support your manager can give you.

Similarly, for all the managers out there - would you feel comfortable discussing this if an employee raised it in the context of their career?

Would love to know what others think! At this stage I'm just brainstorming ideas...

Thanks!

Thanks to those who have shared their experiences and thoughts in response to the question asked. This has been eye-opening and has sparked a few new ideas.

It has also been a reminder of how rude and insensitive some people can be on the internet. There are ways of disagreeing or sharing more critical perspectives without making personal remarks.

I hope you can all see that I had the best of intentions. I won’t be following responses to this thread anymore.

I told my manager/HR I was pregnant sometime after the 12 week scan each time. So they have about six months' notice of my going on mat leave. That's as much "discussion of plans re having children" as anyone is going to need.

It's an interesting question.

I didn't discuss family plans with my manager after experiencing maternity discrimination in a previous role but some people I work with are open about it. I like to think it's helpful to them to be aware of some of the things to consider - e.g. if you're thinking of moving roles you can time it around when you'd qualify for maternity pay.

I've also been able to reassure them that it's no different to potentially needing sick leave but it is helpful from a management position to know you're likely to need contingency at a specific point. Life would certainly be easier if we knew what was happening before setting project milestones...

flouncing is rather rude when you asked people to work for you for free.

Yup probably panicking and arse covering

I think people were unnecessarily rude- no idea why. It’s not like how things currently work is so great so I’m pleased to hear people are thinking about new ideas 🤷‍♀️ Half the posts on this thread seemed to (deliberately?) misunderstand the question.

I wasn't answering you. I was answering the person I quoted.

@TaniaBania

I think people were unnecessarily rude- no idea why. It’s not like how things currently work is so great so I’m pleased to hear people are thinking about new ideas 🤷‍♀️ Half the posts on this thread seemed to (deliberately?) misunderstand the question.

The OP is looking to do a masters (?) research project on how having babies impact careers and claims to have little or no understanding of the UK legal framework and claims to work for a large well financed organisation. Is the Op's second post (quoted above) as applicable to the employees who are the non-baby growing half of a couple?
Then the OP trys fluffy handwaving about not looking at the sex specific element of having babies, yet saying that having babies would be a reason for not promoting an employee??
But MNers should be discussing family planning with their manager and the manager would be expected to develop "special" career paths which would not be open and/or available to other staff.
Its all very disjointed thinking.

I work in a technical team role in an office environment

In over 5 years, we have never had an appraisal or meeting with our manager

No appraisals (should be yearly)

So I think that your ideas about management support are unrealistic

One of the team had a child & they took their entitled paid time off

In contrast the company promotes one month to celebrate Pride, with a day of free food & quizzes

Surely that is what HR are for ?