Being pregnant at work

Being pregnant at work, maternity leave and returning to work after maternity leave are common concerns for pregnant woment and new mothers. This article covers the following topics:

When should I tell my employer I’m pregnant?

Who should I tell first?

Preparing for telling your employer

Concerns of employers and colleagues

Health and safety assessments

Your rights regarding antenatal appointments

Further information

When should I tell my employer I’m pregnant?

Legally, you do not need to tell your employer of your pregnancy and intention to take maternity leave until the 15th week before your baby is due. Many women announce their pregnancy at the end of the first trimester (about 12 weeks), as at this time the risk of miscarriage is greatly reduced and a growing bump may not be easy to hide.

There are various benefits to telling your employer sooner rather than later:

• The more planning and preparation you (and your employer) do before you leave the easier both of you will find it when you return.
• An employer’s specific duty of care for a pregnant employee does not come into effect until informed of your pregnancy.

An earlier announcement will enable all those involved to support you and the operational requirements of your organisation. If your pregnancy is difficult or you are experiencing issues with morning sickness, or require time out of the normal work schedule for antenatal appointments, the right level of support may be difficult to arrange if your employer does not know you are pregnant.

Regardless of when you announce your pregnancy verbally, if you wish to take maternity leave or claim statutory maternity pay (SMP) you need to notify your employer in writing of the date you want to start your leave and wish to claim SMP. You need to provide proof of your pregnancy in the form of a MAT B1 certificate signed by your midwife or doctor. The MAT B1 certificate is usually not available until after week 16 of your pregnancy.

Who should I tell first?

Generally, it’s advisable to tell your boss first. Even the closest friend at work may make an unintentional comment that could reveal you are pregnant before you are ready for colleagues to know.

Telling your boss first will enable you to plan together how best to tell the other people you work with. It is absolutely fine to ask your boss to keep this information confidential until the time is right to tell other people. Depending on your role, your upcoming maternity leave may require a planned handover of relationships with customers, clients or suppliers in a way that does not impact the operation of the organisation.

If you anticipate a negative reaction from your immediate boss it may be better to inform your employer earlier, in confidence via the Human Resources department.

Preparing for telling your employer

The more you prepare, the easier it will be for you to plan what needs to be done. 

• Talk to your GP or midwife about when it might be best to start maternity leave.
• Understand your organisation’s practices and policies and your legal pregnancy rights.
• Anticipate your boss’s reaction, especially if this is the first time your manager will have worked with a pregnant employee.

Preparing for the discussion presents you as professional and committed.

Concerns of employers and colleagues

Occasionally, announcing pregnancy at work can be met with a less than enthusiastic response. Whilst your boss may be genuinely happy for you, she or he may be concerned about meeting operational requirements and possible impact to the business, especially if this is the first time they have managed maternity. Being professional and prepared will enable you to reassure your boss of your commitment and increase your ability to make a smooth transition.

Your co-workers may have questions or concerns about changes to their own work as a result of your pregnancy and maternity leave. Other factors that may affect when and how you tell your colleagues is the culture of your organisation and the known or anticipated ambitions of your colleagues. You may find that relationships with colleagues change after announcing your pregnancy and, in a small number of instances, you may find that you are deliberately or inadvertently excluded from key meeting or decisions. If this does happen, be assertive about wanting to be asked and involved, and reassure your colleagues of your continued commitment to the organisation.

If you find continued problems at work arise after you announce you are pregnant, you may be experiencing pregnancy discrimination and you should seek legal advice.

Health and safety assessments

When you tell your employer that you are pregnant your employer should review their risk assessment for your specific work. They should identify any changes that are necessary to protect you and your unborn baby's health. These risks might be caused by:

• lifting or carrying heavy loads
• standing or sitting for long periods
• exposure to toxic substances
• long working hours.

Your employer should involve you in the process and continue to review the assessment as your pregnancy progresses to see if any adjustments are necessary.

Your rights regarding antenatal appointments

Pregnant employees have the right to paid time off for antenatal appointments. As well as scans and appointments with the midwife, this can include relaxation and parentcraft classes. If an appointment has been made on the advice of a GP, nurse or midwife, it counts as antenatal care. After the first appointment, you must provide proof of the appointment and of pregnancy.

Further information

NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700. We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

NCT also offers a Helping your Employees Prepare for Parenthood Media Pack (PDF 256 Kb), which is a summary of the ways the NCT can employers support expectant employees.

A government guide to maternity benefits is available, and a personalised maternity rights calculator. 

The Health and Safety executive has a number of website pages on New and expectant mothers at work. 

Maternity Action works to end inequality and promote the health and well-being of all pregnant women, their partners and children from before conception through to the child's early years.