Maternity Leave After Starting New Position

Don't feel "terrible" at all! Not only have you been with this company for 12 years, your family life is more important than any company. I accepted a new job knowing I was pregnant (miscarried that one, sadly) then ended up taking a 12 week maternity leave right after 12 months with them.

Do not let misplaced "company loyalty" affect you and your husband's personal decision. I now work in the Outplacement business (counseling people who have been laid-off by companies). Companies don't hesitate to let people go as soon as their financials don't look as good as they want them to. It doesn't matter how long a person's been there, how hard they have worked, how old they are, or if they are pregnant, blind, or disabled - they show up in my office for help finding a new job.

Also, I had my daughter, my first and only, when I was 41. She is perfect, and it is a perfect time of life to be a parent!

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I don't think this is a problem at all. I went on maternity leave after being at my company only 7 months (found out I was pregnant after I accepted the job). I am the only person in my department so there was no one to fill my shoes. My boss and everyone else dealt with it. Maternity leave is a relatively short time period and no one should feel bad for taking it or for helping out if a co-worker is on leave. It is a fact of life.

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That isn't too soon, IMO, especially after you time with the company. We have someone here that went on leave about 9 months after joining, and then again 15 months later. :)

Since it isn't a growth career, if there are issues, I guess you can take comfort that you didn't plan being there for long, and also that it may be less stress when you have your baby. When you are back into your stride, you can look for other intra, or external company jobs.

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It's not a problem at all.

When you are 75 years old you will not look back and say that you felt bad about going on a 3 month maternity leave to be with your baby. They can handle it without you for a few months.

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I think you need to put your needs first. You are getting older and it may take time to get pregnant. I would try to have your child now. Employers understand that these things happen. While it may not be optimal for the company, you will not be the first person to every go on maternity leave early on in a career. Good luck.

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My first "real" job I started on May 24, 2006. I found out I was pregnant in June. We were not trying and he just happened :o). Our last little gift. And then I came back from maternity leave and left two weeks later. I felt bad, but still meet my old boss for lunch somtimes and we have a great relationship. So nope - you're fine!

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I say just do it! You shouldn't have to plan your life around your work, although props to you for thinking of others. I started a job 4 weeks before my son was born - that was rough for everyone but we all made it and you can't always help what directions life takes you.

12 years with the company is MORE than enough... I wouldn't feel guilty at all.

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Wow -- Don't worry about it! Especially since the change was just to a new department and not to a new company. My colleague joined our department in March and went on maternity leave a couple months ago. No one thought twice about it.

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I don't think that's too soon. I switched departments at my old job the week I found out I was pregnant! 1.5 years is plenty of time for it not to be strange to take maternity leave.

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So you've only put in 1 1/2 year, I don't take that as new, now if you had been there for 3 months and then go on maternity leave that is concerning but technically shouldn't be a problem. You've shown them how great you are and they will be happy for you. You have one life to live, jobs come and go, children do grow up, enjoy every minute of your life, even having a new born at 38 years old!

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I do not see a problem in it. I was 7 months pregnant when I switched departments in a company I worked for only 2 years. went out for 3 months and came back and worked another 2 years then got laid off due to technology. Employers realize life happens.

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I don't think it's too soon at all! I had the same feelings, but was concerned about leaving after less than 1 year with a company; you will have more than 1 year in your dept and more than a decade with the company! That is more than enough in my opinion. Furthermore, a good employer will recognize the value that you bring over the course of your time there is far more important than the 12 weeks you will be gone.

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I changed jobs about 5 years ago and within 3 months found out I was pregnant. Hey, it happens! At least you've been w/ the company for as long as you have. Don't worry, it will all be fine!

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Congratulations! You are definitely considered a long-term employee with the company and will probably have some level of seniority w/in the department by that time. The very best thing you can do is tell your supervisor as soon as you think it's "safe" and appropriate so that you can work together to develop a plan for "who does what" while you are out.

Take the coming months to create an accurate list of your responsibilities and the procedures associated with them. Try to get big projects completed by the time you leave and be sure not to start anything "new" that someone else will need to work on (unless they are consulting with you along the way).

Planning and more planning will make your leave easier for everyone... including you! The more you do ahead of time and the better prepared your replacement(s) feels, the less you need to "fix" when you get back!

Congratulations!

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If you were in Canada I would say that it would be a big deal but not in the US... For one, your mat leave is not paid, from what I understand, and 2, it is usually only 4-6 weeks of work. In Canada we get paid maternity and it is a full year from the date of birth, either mom or dad can take mat leave and it can also be split between the two parents. Pretty cool. That is a big deal and companies don't like when new employees go on mat leave. In the US (where my last child was born) it shouldn't be an issue. They will manage without you for the short time you are off work.

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Have your baby now....don't wait.

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I think that you should go for it. I do understand that you have only been there for 1 1/2 years in that department, but the longer you wait the older you are going to get. Not to be mean to you, but you need to do this now as this is what you want. I am in the same dilema as you, I have been with this company for going on 4 years, I want to add baby #2 next year and I feel really bad as I am an only employee it's only me and my boss. The mother company is in Canada. I am really scared of getting let go when I go on Maternity Leave or when I tell him that I am pregnant. I don't know what my benefits are going to be as I have an employee handbook, but this is for the Canadian Company so not sure. I have been wanting to find a better job as my boss is not the best out there, but I am scared of starting a new job and having to put my baby #2 in the back burner again. As my baby girl is going to be 4 years old next June. Good luck on your decision and hopefully everything works out good for you. I know that God will help us on our decision.

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I have been working in the same place for 16 years. Everyone is the same as they were (ok some new faces and some are gone). But boy have my kids grown.
Come back after leave and nothing will have changed most likely!

You know no one ever dies thinking "Gee I wish I had spent more time and energy on work instead of spending it with family and friends." You aren't the first woman in your company to be gone on maternity leave and you definately won't be the last. So don't worry about the impact of your pregnancy on the company because I'm sure they'll do just fine.