Pregnancy and Work: When and How to Tell Your Boss

Your phone timer chimes and you turn over that long, white tube to see the results of your test: PREGNANT. Cue: a truck load of emotions. Happiness, excitement, relief, surprise, or maybe even disbelief.

Once you come to terms with this next stage of life, what's next? Telling people.

Pregnancy is a huge milestone, but the thought of sharing the news can be daunting. Especially when it comes to telling your boss. Of course, some employers will be genuinely supportive. But unfortunately, after falling pregnant, many women are faced with repercussions on their career, ranging from subtle biases to outright discrimination.

Here, we explore the best time to tell your boss about your pregnancy, how to handle negative reactions, and what to do if you feel your job is at risk.

When do I have to tell my employer I am pregnant in Australia?

The first step is deciding whether you'll tell your employer about your pregnancy, as there is no legal requirement to do so in Australia. If you choose to share, know there is no 'perfect' time to do so. Managing career and babies is different for everybody, with many pregnant women opting to wait until the end of the first trimester. This timing allows for the confirmation of a healthy pregnancy and provides a buffer before workplace adjustments are needed.

I'm planning on taking maternity leave. What am I legally required to do?

If you've been with your job for longer than 12 months, and plan to take unpaid parental leave, the Fair Work Act asks that where practicable, you let your employer know at least 10 weeks before leave starts.

If you find you're not eligible for unpaid leave, but still want to take some — while keeping your job secure — rest assured. Anti-discrimination laws may still apply. This law is in place to ensure an employer is not letting an employee's sex, pregnancy or family responsibilities unfairly influence their decision to refuse you leave.

Amanda's story

Learning Design Manager at Generation Australia, Amanda, told her immediate manager before the 13 weeks, after having her camera turned off during a number of meetings. Their reaction? Total happiness and support. "They were so happy for me and assured me it was ok to take any time I needed and keep my camera off for those morning sickness days," she says.

"When I told the CEO at the time, he said 'you are a valuable member of the team and will be even on your maternity leave'", she remembers. "Through all my appointments, scans and emotional moments, I never once worried that my job was at risk. I never thought I'd be sad to go on maternity leave – that's how supportive my team is!"

Annie's story

Annie however, decided to tell her boss earlier than the usual 12 weeks. As Chief Operations Officer of a coffee company, Annie decided to do her work pregnancy announcement around 8–9 weeks. Despite her boss' seemingly flexible 'on paper' maternity leave policies, the reaction she received was unexpectedly negative.

"I was a bit worried, but NEVER imagined how I would be treated over the next year," Annie explains. "As soon as I shared my news, I was cut out of high-level decision-making and had enormous pressures put on me to outperform sales targets with next to zero team and zero financial resources."

"I had to pull a rabbit out of a hat….alone and vomiting 30 times a day."

What happens if your boss reacts negatively?

Despite many improvements in workplace protections for pregnant women, not all employers react supportively to pregnancy announcements at work. Negative reactions can range from subtle shifts in behaviour to outright harassment or discrimination. It's essential to be prepared for these possibilities and know your rights.

For Annie, the worst case scenario happened. "I had been offered a promotion in December 2022 and we were set to announce this in April 2023. I told my boss I was pregnant and suddenly, the dinner we had booked to celebrate and the company-wide promotion announcement was cancelled," she says.

"I never received the promotion and it was never announced." It didn't stop there. In fact, the pressure Annie felt only got worse as her pregnancy continued.

"I was very anxious, overwhelmed and extremely stressed. I cried most days for the last 2 months leading up to my last day from exhaustion and the stress from manic messages from my terrified boss. The pressure to come back early and help was immense."

So, what can you do when telling work you're pregnant goes wrong?

Communicate clearly

Be clear and confident when announcing your pregnancy at work. Outline your plans for maternity leave and how you intend to manage your responsibilities leading up to your leave.

Know your rights

Educate yourself on your legal rights regarding pregnancy and maternity leave. This knowledge empowers you to advocate for yourself effectively.

Document everything

If you experience bullying or harassment after announcing your pregnancy at work, document every incident. This record can be invaluable if you need to take formal action.

Seek support

If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for support from HR, a mentor, or a legal advisor. Sometimes that outside perspective can make all the difference.

Navigating pregnancy and work can be challenging, but you don't have to do it alone.