Your new job and discovering you're pregnant

Ann Douglas

You've just landed a job and discovered you're pregnant. Two great things all at once! So how do you tell your new boss? Have a question for Ann? Ask it here. Your question:
I have just moved from another state and after three long weeks, I have finally found a good job. Coincidentally, on the same day I was hired, I also found out that I am pregnant. It has been two weeks since then, and I am in agony just thinking how to tell my boss. Will the news affect my job?

Ann answers:
While the situation you find yourself in is awkward, I've got some good news for you: most employers who have just hired a worker who has just found out that she is pregnant take the high road with their new employee once they recover from the initial shock. The toughest part -- as you've gathered -- is mustering up your courage to break the news to your employer in the first place. Here's what I suggest in terms of strategy:

Set up an appointment with your boss as soon as you feel ready to share your news. (Note: Some women choose to wait until the end of the first trimester; others prefer to share their news right away. You can get the lowdown on the pros and cons of going either route by reading my article Breaking the news to your employer.)

Be totally frank about what happened: e.g., you found out that you were pregnant on the exact same day that you were hired. No employer can fault you for that (and, incidentally, your reproductive life is nobody's business but your own!).

Make sure you're totally up to speed on your rights as a pregnant worker. You may wish to check out the FAQ produced by the Women's Bureau of the US Department of Labor. It contains some reassuring words about the job security that you are entitled to as a pregnant worker.

Good luck!