Telling the Boss

In the olden days, telling your husband you were pregnant was a big deal. Now the big deal is telling your boss:

Reader teaspoon2007 posted this question in the comments earlier this week:

"This may or may not be on topic, but I'm curious what people have told their bosses when they are pregnant with the first kid, have the option to stay at home, and are not sure if they will want to or not? We have been saving my salary and trying to live on my husband's in case that day comes, but I have no idea if I'm going to love staying home or hate it or want to work part time. This is not an immediate issue for us but it might be in the next few years, and I'd be curious what others' experience is. In theory, I wouldn't have to say anything, but I like my boss & I would want him to be able to plan."

Lily Garcia, who offers employment law and human resources advice (good recent examples from The Washington Post include After Childbirth, Return to Work? and Can a Company Lay Off a Pregnant Worker?) has this to say to Teaspoon:

"The truth is that you really don't know whether you will want to stay home or how much you will want to work until the moment of truth. As a new mother, I can personally attest to that. So, my best advice would be to give your best guess as to what you are going to do and ask your boss for understanding and flexibility."

How have you told your boss about being pregnant? When in the pregnancy did you open up? Did your approach change with subsequent pregnancies? What's the best way to keep your options open when you are not sure whether you will return to work or stay home?

By Leslie Morgan Steiner |  February 15, 2008; 7:00 AM ET  | Category:  Free-for-All
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