After announcing your pregnancy at work, how does it go? What attitude should you adopt with your colleagues? How do you find the right balance between sharing your emotions as a pregnant woman and still carrying out your mission until you go on maternity leave? We give you a few tips to make your pregnancy at the office go as smoothly as possible.
When and how to announce your pregnancy?
First of all, announcing your pregnancy allows you to be protected by law. Thus, according to the Labor Code, a pregnant woman cannot be dismissed (except in cases of serious misconduct) until 4 weeks after the birth.
Then, announcing your pregnancy as soon as possible will generally allow you to better reconcile your professional and personal life. It is always advisable to wait until the 12th week of pregnancy (14 SA) and the end of the period at risk of miscarriage. Once this period has passed, it is better to announce your pregnancy as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary stress (and potentially harmful to the baby) and to see with your employer how your working conditions can be improved (teleworking, schedule adjustments, etc.).
Not delaying the announcement of your pregnancy too long will prevent your employer from hearing the news from someone else. Announcing it yourself before it is noticeable by your rounded belly is to show that you want to organize your work as well as possible before and after your departure on maternity leave. This is the best way to establish a clear and responsible dialogue for the months to come. Choose the right moment and prepare your speech to answer any questions from your colleagues, your boss or your employees. "When do you start your maternity leave? And for how long? ... »
Predict and anticipate his absence
Reassure your colleagues and clients, whether you are an employee or a boss: you will be able to carry out your missions until your departure on maternity leave. Continue to propose projects for your return, after maternity leave, to show your desire to continue working in the company.
Discuss immediately the period of your upcoming maternity leave and the reorganization of tasks and activities within the team. This is a good way for you to stay in control, to show that you still plan to continue working in the company after your delivery.
During your maternity leave, your employer cannot, at any time, ask you to come to work. However, nothing prevents you, if you wish, from keeping in touch with your colleagues and following what is going on in the company from a distance. You can, for example, have lunch with them, send a birth announcement, make a phone call from time to time, especially if you have a management position. Keeping in touch with your work is a good solution to facilitate your return to the company.
Slow down and take care of yourself
Pregnancy is a period when you are even more tired, you need to know how to slow down your work rhythm. Make your arrangements.
For example, some companies provide specific arrangements such as reducing the number of hours worked, telecommuting, extra days off...
Don't hesitate to ask your employer not to give you assignments that require you to travel. Transportation is not good for pregnant women because of vibrations, jolts and possible accidents. If the discussion with your employer is difficult, the human resources department can help you to adapt your working environment to the possible constraints of your position.
A few tips to feel good at the office
- Remember to drink a lot (1.5 L of water per day), always have a bottle of water on your desk.
- Raise your legs to stimulate blood circulation and avoid heavy and swollen legs.
- Remember to stretch regularly to avoid back pain.
- Opt for comfortable shoes that are neither too flat nor too high.
- If you work standing up, take regular breaks.
Don't spread yourself too thin
Pregnancy is a big change for you, but it doesn't have to be for your colleagues either...
Don't get overwhelmed by the news and preparations for the birth, by focusing too much on your ills or joys as a young pregnant woman.
Also avoid complaining too much. Fatigue, stress and nausea are natural reactions for many pregnant women, and your colleagues are certainly already aware of this. This could create tension and exasperation among those around you. Finally, expecting a baby is a joy that not everyone is lucky enough to have, so be discreet with those who aren't concerned...
Don't forget that your career will continue...
Your professional entourage should not think that what happens in the office no longer interests you.
Indeed, it would be a shame if your colleagues thought that what matters to you is only the birth of your unborn baby.
You need to be able to put some distance between your professional and personal life. It is not necessary to mix everything, in the same way, that one does not speak all the time about his problems of couples... It is also important to think about the afterwards, once your child is born. You will have to learn how to reconcile your professional life and your new status as a mother. This is only the beginning, which is why pregnancy will be the ideal time to find the right balance between too much confidentiality with colleagues and complete opacity. It's all a matter of dosage and reason...
