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A Little Time Off to Have Baby

How to Break the Big News
to Your Boss

By Melinda Copp

"The reality of having a baby changes everything, so wait to decide what's best for you after the baby is born," says Katepoo.

Julie Taylor of Los Angeles, Calif., knew she would return to her job in publishing full-time after her maternity leave, and she explained these plans to her boss when she broke the news about her pregnancy. "I was pretty nervous, but I just waited until I was out of my first trimester and told my boss I needed to talk to him in a conference room," she says. "I just sort of blurted out the news, and he was cool about it once I told him I planned to come back full-time after my maternity leave."

Most women like to wait until the end of their first trimester before spreading the word about their pregnancy because the risk of miscarriage and other complications is much greater during the first three months. Therefore, you don't need to rush into talking with your employer unless you're very sick and it is affecting your professional performance. This also gives you a few months to think about your plans for the future.

"Then just tell your boss straight out," says Taylor. "But have a plan – who will cover your job while you're gone, will you come back full-time after the baby and how long will you take off."

Unless you're firmly convinced you're going to stay at home, don't make concrete plans when you first tell your boss about your pregnancy. In other words, leave your options open to some extent because you never know how your situation will change in the coming months.

"Tell your boss your intentions rather than your decisions," says Katepoo. For example, say, "I plan to return to work and I'd like to discuss what that might look like." This is a good way to approach the situation because most women return to work on some level, whether that's part-time, telecommuting or some other arrangement, says Katepoo.

Want to see more?

• Want to Work from Home? How to Get Your Boss to Say "Yes!"
• Taking Time Off: Maternity Leaves for the Work-at-Home Mom
• Guess What? Telling Work You're Expecting
• Talk about it!

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