Pregnant at Work: Manage Maternity Leave Like a Pro

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You're pregnant, working, and you're not sure how to break the news to your employer. Believe it or not, the response may not be what you'd expect from your boss, manager and/or co-workers.

To help avoid any problems, be sure that you properly plan your maternity leave and be prepared for every response imaginable. Although, you probably feel like running through the streets announcing your good news, you may need to exercise caution at the office when sharing that you're expecting.

Planning Your Maternity Leave

Most companies have established maternity leave policies already, more often than not, in writing. Track down your company handbook, or make an appointment for a confidential meeting with your human resources director to find out how the maternity leave policy at your company works. Then develop a list of questions relating to the policy. Some of your questions may revolve around length of leave allowed, rate of pay, appropriate notification procedure, affect on benefits, and so on.

Your next step is to know your rights as a pregnant woman in the workplace. The Family Medical and Leave Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act are two important laws protecting your rights in this area.

Finally, meet with your human resources director or personnel manager to discuss the existing policy and to receive answers to your questions relating to the policy. (Again, you can ask your HR director or personnel manager to keep your discussion confidential.)