Pregnant at Work: Manage Maternity Leave Like a Pro

Here are a few tips to help your meeting be successful:

• Establish your value to the company: Remind your manager of the benefits you bring to the table and of your positive performance reviews.
• Be professional, confident, and not demanding: If you gracefully handle this situation, chances are your boss will mirror your demeanor.
• Emphasize that you have every intention of returning and stress your commitment: Alleviate any concerns your boss may have of you using maternity leave to transition out of your role with the company.
• Never ask whether or not you will be permitted to return: The law protects you in this case, so assume that you will indeed be returning to your current role with the company.
• Don't accept a leave plan if it's unsuitable for you: Tell your manager that you need some time to think it over, discuss it with your spouse, and so on. Then schedule another appointment.
• Document all agreed-upon points: Keeping documentation of your meeting will help you remember points in the future and gives you and your company a written record of your agreement. Be sure to give a copy to your manager and the Human Resource Department, and keep one your files.

Once you've told everyone that you're pregnant and you've agreed upon a maternity leave plan with your manager, there are a few ongoing points to remember:

• It's extremely important to keep the communication lines open.
  
  
• Follow-up with your manager and/or co-workers to make sure that other concerns haven't arisen or expectations haven't changed.
• Remain cooperative, flexible, and maintain your professional appearance throughout the pregnancy.
• Don't get behind in your work.