Nobody can blame you if you fell like shouting it to the world, when you come to know that you’re pregnant. But you have to become more strategize when it comes to deliver this good news to your boss. According to experts, a little preparation and forethought can guarantee that both your announcement and maternity leave go smoothly. According to Nancy Hall, author of Balancing Pregnancy and Work, most of the working pregnant women worry about the health of their baby. In most of the cases, everything goes fine, but there are some key things to prepare for smooth delivery, as said by the writer of the book.
Most of the bosses will be happy to hear your pregnancy news and will work with you accordingly to design a maternity leave plan for you. However, some bosses are less pleased to know about your pregnancy because they are reluctant to give such a long maternity leave. In the worst case scenario, few bosses may even fire you or deny you for an upcoming promotion because they simply don’t know about the legal laws and rights which are meant to protect your family leave. Pregnancy discrimination complaints failed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In fact, these complain rose 37 percent between 1992 and 2003.
How to tell your boss you’re pregnant
According to Paige Bierma, working in consumer health interactive, five steps to tell your boss that you’re pregnant. These steps are-
1.   Do your homework.
2.   Write up a plan.
3.   Choose a date
4.   Make an official appointment with the boss.
5.   Get it in writing.
The first step is to do your home work and find out what is offered under the guidelines of state laws and federal laws. It might be the case, when you get extra benefit (additional leave) because state laws are subjected to change with state changing its boundaries. The bottom-line is that you have to know about your rights before you take appointment for disclosing pregnancy news. Most of the bosses know the rule and legal laws, but a few may need to be gently reminded by you, because bosses are become very shrewd when it comes to give leave for such a long time.
In your second step, you have to plan your dates and expenses required to make you delivery tension free. Crunch out few telephone numbers to several maternity hospitals and enquire about the expenses then jotted down your savings and funds. This will help you to decide whether you are going to take long leave with non-paid option or go for the leave with paid one. In paid one you might get lesser leave as compared to non-paid one.
In next step, choose the appropriate date and make appointment to your boss.
Fifth step in which you declare the news to your boss in appointment. Don’t regret and start with, “I have fantastic news”, and finally give your schedule for holiday. During the conversation don’t regret and never apologize.
In the last step give your boss a written application for leave and hope for best.
