Once upon a time when a woman married, she would quit her job and become a homemaker full-time. Generally, women were expected to wait until marriage to become pregnant and start a family. This meant the idea of having a career outside the home during pregnancy was absolutely unheard of.
Today, things are much different as many people continue to work through and beyond their pregnancies. In fact, many US families cannot quit their jobs outside the home even if they want to. If you find yourself working through your pregnancy, you may be surprised to find that while you and your body are undergoing countless changes, your coworkers may change as well.
Announcing Your Pregnancy
When and how to announce your pregnancy, or whether you announce it at all, is a deeply personal decision. If your pregnancy is low-risk and does not impact your work or compromise anyone’s safety, you might wait to announce until after the first trimester when the risk of complications has decreased. Or, if you are experiencing significant symptoms such as morning sickness, you may wish to share sooner to receive appropriate support.
Depending on your relationship with your boss/manager and coworkers you may wish to share the news in person. For documentation purposes, it is a good idea to have written communication on file, so sending a formal email outlining your pregnancy and any pertinent information is a good idea.
You have no obligation to share any information regarding your personal health, including your pregnancy, with your coworkers. You may share information as you feel comfortable, or politely decline.
Communicating Responsibilities & Expectations
In your email or official communication, you may wish to outline your expected due date, your plans for maternity leave, and any adjustments you plan to make in response to your symptoms and scheduled appointments. You may also inquire about maternity leave/benefits or request support as needed. You will want to maintain ongoing communication throughout your pregnancy, so any changes or future questions are documented.
Something to consider is whether or not your pregnancy will impact your coworkers. Will they need to take on any additional responsibilities while you are at appointments or on maternity leave? Do you need to train anyone to perform your duties while you are away? It can be helpful to stay on good terms with your coworkers to make the transition as smooth as possible (including if/when you eventually return to work!).
Recognizing Pregnancy Discrimination
Note that pregnancy discrimination is against the law. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces three federal laws that protect pregnant employees. This does not mean you get a free pass just because you are pregnant. You are still at risk of losing your job for poor performance, but you cannot be fired simply because you are pregnant. If you have questions about what is/isn’t legal activity from your employer or coworkers during your pregnancy, consult with a lawyer.
Some examples of pregnancy discrimination may include:
- Being denied a promotion or opportunities.
- Being demoted or receiving a pay cut.
- Having your hours decreased.
- Being denied training opportunities.
- Refusal of contract extension.
- Limiting your assignments without your consent.
- Withholding benefits, such as insurance or leave.
- Harassment
Responding to Workplace Harassment During Pregnancy
Women, in particular, are often vulnerable to feeling they are not entitled to stand up for themselves or that their feelings are “too sensitive” to reflect reality. However, if you are feeling a certain way, that is reality and should be addressed. If someone makes comments or performs actions that make you feel uncomfortable, ask them to stop immediately. It is a good idea to report workplace harassment, even if you have resolved it personally. You can communicate with HR that you have already spoken to the individual, but they can still document the issue to prevent and/or swiftly address any further harassment.
Examples of workplace harassment during pregnancy:
- Making comments about your body.
- Invasive or persistent questioning regarding your pregnancy/symptoms.
- Any unwanted physical contact, including touching or rubbing your belly.
- Offensive or derogatory jokes/gestures/drawings/pictures related to pregnancy.
- Name-calling, including unwanted nicknames related to pregnancy.
While you may find your pregnancy impacting your workplace interactions, this should be a generally positive experience. Any negative responses are not appropriate and should be dealt with through management/HR as soon as possible. Pregnant individuals are valued employees who deserve just as much respect and recognition during their pregnancy as they receive before/after having their baby. Feel confident advocating for yourself as you navigate workplace relationships throughout your pregnancy and beyond!
