When should I inform my boss that I am pregnant?

As a working mom, this is probably the first pregnancy problem you face. I absolutely struggled to find the right answer. When I first heard myself publicly tell people that I was pregnant, I couldn’t help but imagine that all they heard was, “She had sex!!”

Índice Show

You need to make it public ASAP.
Ultimately, sooner is better.
Now, how do I tell my boss I’m pregnant?
When should I tell my boss that I’m pregnant?
What do you need and get from your boss and workplace when you’re pregnant?
Is there any danger that because I’m pregnant, I’ll be treated badly?
Do I have to tell my employer in writing or on email that I’m pregnant?
Who should I tell first about my pregnancy at work?
What if my employer reacts badly to my pregnancy?
Is there anything else I should keep in mind when speaking to my employer about being pregnant?
Further information

Under normal circumstances, this was fine. Whatever. Ya, I’m a married adult. But at work…. there are just some topics that are not brought up in an office environment. Being a green little millennial, and new to my role/team, I didn’t know where to start.

Luckily, I knew I wanted to wait until the end of that treacherous first trimester. That is the typical answer. But how long after that? I bought myself 12 weeks to figure it out, but would I tell them the day after that? The week after? On a Friday? On a Monday? Can I just NOT and let them figure it out? (No, don’t do that lol)

I made my mistakes, and I learned a bit about what I wish I’d know. Basically….

You need to make it public ASAP.

That is the answer. However, the ‘possible’ part is where it gets muddy…

I knew that I was going to maximize my time off, and I knew that they wouldn’t love that. This can make ‘outing’ yourself stressful, to say the least. But the sooner you get it out, the sooner you can start pulling the pregnant card.

But if that is not a concern of yours, then LET IT BE KNOWN! You won’t need to justify morning sickness with a bogus reason, but you may be inviting obnoxious advice (which will come at any point in any pregnancy, so get used to that).

I would suggest you wait until you get out of the dreaded first trimester, but it really is not too important to wait if you are willing to deal with the feared possibilities. I’m just patient about those things, considering my history with loss.

I found little to no help in determining when to out myself, and ended up keeping it a secret until I was 17 weeks along (!!!).

This worked out well, although my entire team already suspected it with much certainty. (co-workers DO keep tabs on dressing habits, and my new affinity for flowy shirts blew my cover haha!)

I also missed out on a company-wide program which would’ve scored me a $200 VISA Gift Card to accommodate my growing wardrobe. Ahhhh I’m still sad about that!

Ultimately, sooner is better.

This gives your employer as much time as possible to prepare for the need

to fill your role during the time you will need off. This is definitely appreciated, even if they make you feel inconsiderate for populating the planet (could just be the hormones talking).

Now, how do I tell my boss I’m pregnant?

If you’re like me, confrontation gets me worked up. When informing your employer of your condition, it’s important to remember that you are NOT ASKING for maternity leave. You are INFORMING them of your impending health condition, which will result in several weeks out of the office.

Here is an example (and probably very similar to my approach):

Preggo: I am happy to tell you that I am expecting, and the baby is due in (MONTH).

Boss: yay that’s great (eyes are saying, “oh god, ok…”)

Preggo: Yes, we’re excited, and I’ve decided to continue working after maternity leave. I’d like to have an open dialogue with you as the pregnancy progresses. I don’t have many details yet, but would you mind if I worked out some of the logistics with you as things come up?

Boss: ya sure

Preggo: Great! Thank you. Please let me know if there is anything you’d like me to work on in preparation for an extended time out. Also, I’m happy to cross-train anyone you decide will temporarily fill my position.

That might be a bit extensive, and a little too script-y. See my guidelines for what to to cover during your conversation. There are definitely right and wrong ways to go about this topic. If you want to limit friction among your colleagues, go read the DOs and DONTs to tell your boss you’re pregnant.

Otherwise, be assured that these steps can radically improve your pregnant situation. No matter how stressed you may be, you are not alone.

Should you do it by email? In person? Do you need to involve HR? Here are the answers to your most pressing questions

For some women, sharing the news that they’re going to have a baby with their employer can be loaded with nerves. You may be worried about the implications for your job and career or concerned about your employer’s reaction.

But stop. The fact that you want a family has – or should have – no bearing on your career. And you have rights that make that clear (Gov.uk, no date). It’s also important to understand what your employer’s responsibilities to you are. Here is what you need to know…

When should I tell my boss that I’m pregnant?

Legally, the latest you need to tell your employer about your pregnancy or maternity leave is 15 weeks before the week in which your baby is due (Gov.uk, no date; Maternity Action 2021a). Some women want to do it after the first trimester, once you’ve had your first scan (and start having a more obvious bump).

But there are some benefits to telling your employer sooner rather than later (see below).

What do you need and get from your boss and workplace when you’re pregnant?

Maternity leave: your boss can give you information or see the further information links below.
Paid time off for your antenatal care, including appointments and classes recommended by a doctor or midwife. You’re entitled to all of this but your employer can ask for proof of appointments (Maternity Action, 2021a). Your partner or the father of your baby is also entitled to attend two antenatal appointments, although this is unpaid (Gov.uk, no date).
Protection from unfair treatment, dismissal or discrimination. A pregnant person's contracted terms and conditions cannot be changed without agreement (Gov.uk, no date).
Workplace risk assessment: once they know you’re pregnant, they have to make sure your workplace is safe for you. If it isn’t, they’ll need to make necessary improvements, or provide you with alternative work for the same pay. They must also keep health and safety risks under review throughout your pregnancy (HSE, no date).

Is there any danger that because I’m pregnant, I’ll be treated badly?

No. Actually, once your employer knows you’re pregnant, you’re protected against unfavourable treatment because of pregnancy-related discrimination (Maternity Action, 2019b). Your employer must record any pregnancy-related sickness separately so that it isn’t used against you in any disciplinary, redundancy or dismissal decisions (Maternity Action, 2019c).

Do I have to tell my employer in writing or on email that I’m pregnant?

Whenever you tell your boss that you’re pregnant, if you want to take maternity leave or claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you should notify your employer in writing. Tell them the date you want to start your leave and maternity pay by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due (Gov.uk, no date; Maternity Action, 2019a).

Who should I tell first about my pregnancy at work?

As much as you might want to tell your best work pals your news, it’s a good idea to talk your manager first.

Your maternity leave may require handovers or decisions that are best managed before news gets out. And if you have any worries about telling your boss, do feel free to go via HR so you have some back-up.

What if my employer reacts badly to my pregnancy?

What if your pregnancy is met with a ‘less than enthusiastic’ response? Or your manager is genuinely happy for you but concerned about how your maternity leave will affect the business? Whatever the reaction, remember that you have a right to a career and a family. And you should never be made to feel bad about juggling the two. There is also lots of advice and information to help you tackle any negative reactions or treatment because of your pregnancy (Maternity Action, 2019b).

Is there anything else I should keep in mind when speaking to my employer about being pregnant?

There are some things that it’s useful to keep in mind when you go for ‘the chat’. Some stuff to think about is:

Your career goals and aspirations.
Your organisation’s maternity and shared leave practices and policies. It’s useful to be informed yourself.
Your legal rights.
Your options for flexible working.
Dates for practical arrangements, e.g. due date, antenatal appointments, dates you’d like to start leave.
Annual leave and when you’d like to take yours before the baby comes.

It’s a good idea to put all of this in writing so that you know what has been agreed afterwards too. Good luck.

This page was last reviewed in January 2022.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

If you feel that your organisation is treating you badly because you have informed them that you are pregnant, then free legal advice and support is available from the following organisations:

Equality and Human Rights Commission Toolkit for Employers.

Equality Advisory Support Service advice on discrimination and human rights 0808 800 0082

HM Revenue & Customs Helpline for employers on statutory pay: 0300 200 3200

Maternity Action helpline: 0845 600 8533. Information on maternity rights

Working Families helpline: 0300 0120312 or email: .

Pregnant then screwed helpline 0161 2229879 and website.

Gov.uk, a UK government website, has information on pregnancy and maternity rights in the workplace.

See also the benefits calculator, posted by Turn2us, a national charity which helps people to access the benefits which are available to them.

GOV.uk. (no date) Pregnant employees' rights. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights. [Accessed 11th January 2022]

Maternity Action. (2021a) Pregnant at work 2021. Available from: https://www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/pregnant-at-work/ [Accessed 11th January 2022]

Maternity Action (2019b) Dealing with problems at work. Available from: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/dealing-with-problems-at-work/ [Accessed 15th January 2022]

Maternity Action. (2019c) Sickness during pregnancy and maternity leave, and on return to work. Available from: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/sickness-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/ [Accessed 15th January 2022]

(HSE) (no date) Protecting new and expectant mothers at work. Available from: https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/employer/index.htm [Accessed 15th January 2022]