What do I tell my employer if I do not plan on returning to work after having a baby?

Question

I am two months pregnant and I will probably tell my boss that I am pregnant after I complete my 3rd month. However, I also do NOT plan on returning to work afterwards just because I will be moving to another state 3 months after I give birth. Everyone will ask me if I am planning on coming back and my gut instinct is telling me that I have to say yes otherwise they will replace me. I do wish to stay employed until the end of my pregnancy, any advice on what to do?

Answer 1

They cannot fire you just for being pregnant, and there is no reason to replace you NOW, if you will be quitting your job in 7 months.  

You don't need to tell your employer you are pregnant, unless it is affecting your work, unless YOU want to.  And if he asks if you plan on returning, just say you haven't decided yet, but will let him know when you do.  Then,  2-3 weeks before you plan to leave, give your notice, just as you would when you leave any job.  (I would probably plan to leave a couple of weeks before your due date, just to be sure you have time to tie up all the loose ends and make things ready for your replacement.)

Answer 2

Not to sound dishonest but I would tell them you are coming back. Its just that while you are pregnant you don't need any worries and them possibly replacing you would be a worry so avoid it. They will be fine and get someone after you leave. Once you are close and are about to take leave...tell them you have decided not to return and thank you for understanding. It will be fine.  

Answer 3

I had the same sort of situation when I was pregnant with my son.  I didn't plan to come to work, but I didn't want my health insurance to get cut off after the school year finished.  I told people that I was planning to return, but I needed to see how things went after the baby was born.  I would say wait until you absolutely have to tell them.  

Answer 4

I would not tell them until you have already started your leave. You are entitled to leave time, it varies state by state but you don't know if circumstances will change between now and then and you will need to have the security of having your job available to you. Also if you have health insurance you will still be eligible for it during your leave time just your employer may require you to pay your contribution for it (what you would normally have deducted from your paycheck) out of pocket if your leave will be unpaid.  Finally IF your company offers disability insurance you may make a claim for short term disability while you are on maternity leave. You will be paid a percentage of your weekly salary, it may not be much but it's something and you are entitled to it. If you give notice as of the day you leave to have your baby you will forfeit all of this.

Just be careful, if your employer offers to pay you (which many DON'T) while you are on leave and then you decide not to come back, they may demand that money back. That happened to my sister. Good luck.

EDIT* You CAN be fired for any reason- most people whether they realize it or not are at-will employees which means they can be terminated for any reason or no reason.  You would have to make a pretty strong case to prove that your termination (God forbid that would actually happen) was due to your pregnancy.  I say "don't ask, don't tell"

Answer 5

Maybe this isn't the right answer, but I didn't intend on returning to work after my baby, and I didn't tell them until after I had the baby.  I wanted to make sure I'd get the disability pay I was entitled to, and it was really none of their business what my plans were.

I did tell them I wasn't coming back about 3 weeks before I was due to return, so it wasn't any different than it would have been had I just resigned.

Answer 6

I planned on going back to work after staying home with our baby for 6 weeks...I was put on bedrest 2 months before my due date...so when my 6 weeks was up and I realized I couldn't go back to work *didn't want to*...I called my employer then and told her I wanted to stay home with my son and appologized...she was very understanding ;)

Answer 7

well just say Yes, that way you could get your maternity leave. and everything. Then after you have the baby, tell them that your moving to another state.

Im agree with you. If you say No,  they will replace you!  

Answer 8

I am not returning to work after either, and we are moving as well but not for like a year. I just told them about 3 weeks ago. Right now I am 33 weeks pregnant. I said that I plan on not coming back because I would rather stay home with my baby instead of sending her to daycare, plus we are moving soon. I didn't tell them when we were moving. I don't get any kind of pay though b/c our company is small. I would go ahead and tell your boss that you are pregnant when you feel comfortable, but I wouldn't mention not coming back until later in the pregnancy. If coworkers ask if you are coming back I would either say yes or you are undecided. I was really nervous about telling mine but it went really well, nothing to worry about at all! good luck!

Answer 9

Be honest. If you don't know , tell them that. Tell them probably not, as hard as it is. I told my boss I was pregnant and got fired because he "found out I had another job". I collected unemployment because he fired me like that. Good wishes on what you choose and your pregnancy and family