The moment has arrived — the pregnancy test is positive! You and your partner are about to embark on a thrilling new journey. Among the whirlwind of emotions, one practical question might surface: “When should I inform my employer of my pregnancy in Singapore?” This query is especially pertinent considering the various legal protections and maternity benefits that working mothers are entitled to in Singapore.
The path to motherhood, while often demanding, is undeniably rewarding. Sharing the joyous news of your pregnancy with others often amplifies your own happiness. Telling friends and family is typically a highlight, but what about your professional circle? Is it equally welcomed there?
Office Buzz: You’re Pregnant
“When should I inform my employer of my pregnancy in Singapore?” In Singapore, it’s unlawful to dismiss an employee due to pregnancy. However, to qualify for maternity leave and other legal protections, you must inform your employer about your pregnancy no later than the 15th week before your expected due date.
Sharing the news after the first trimester is often recommended. This gives your employer enough time to prepare for your upcoming absence and ensures a smoother transition for both you and your team.
Balancing work responsibilities and health needs during pregnancy can be tricky. To avoid potential misunderstandings, it’s advised to keep your employer informed about your condition. Remember, you need to give your employer at least one week’s notice before going on maternity leave and inform them as soon as possible of your delivery.
Navigating through pregnancy while maintaining your professional commitments can seem daunting. Yet, with thoughtful communication and understanding from both sides, you can ensure a smooth transition into this exciting new chapter of your life.
Decode the Dilemma: When and How to Inform Your Employer About Pregnancy in Singapore
1. Keep it to yourself until you enter your second trimester
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Most women wait until 12 weeks of pregnancy are complete because around 10 to 20 per cent of pregnancies end in miscarriages. So, by the end of the first trimester, the risk drops significantly.
Some of you may also want to wait a little longer. For instance, if you are expecting a raise or a promotion from your company.
While it’s illegal for an employer to judge your performance on the basis of your pregnancy, the sad reality is that these factors do play a role in some organisations.
Many women start getting discriminated against at their workplaces the moment they share the news about their pregnancy.
On the other hand, you may also decide to share the news about your pregnancy earlier if you are suffering from awful morning sickness.
In this case, you might have to take frequent offs or you will be coming in late. So it’s best to inform your office that you are pregnant and then re-work your schedule to create a new work-life balance.
2. Tell your boss first.
Before speaking to the HR of your company or anyone else, you should tell your boss first.
If you work in the same office, then you should physically meet your boss to inform him or her about your pregnancy, or else a phone call works.
When you are discussing this, make sure it is brief and to the point. For instance, “I am pregnant and I am due on December 30.”
Give your boss the assurance that you will complete your pending work or project before you go on maternity leave.
Make it a very professional conversation and don’t sound apologetic. You shouldn’t be sorry for starting a family and planning to give birth.
Also, here’s one important thing to remember. Before sharing the news with your boss, don’t put it on social media.
In today’s age, we are connected with colleagues and friends from everywhere and it won’t look professional if your boss gets to know about your pregnancy first from some grapevine.
It’s just an unnecessary opportunity for your superior to create prejudice even before hearing you out.
3. Inform HR & your team next.
You need to speak to Human Resources about your pregnancy. Be aware of the existing maternity leave policy. In fact, do your homework before you speak to HR.
It might be too early to commit to an exact date on when you want to go on your maternity leave because you still haven’t got down to planning.
It’s perfectly okay because there is still a lot of time for it.
Your colleagues and clients should be the next ones in line to know about your pregnancy. However, there is no obligation that you need to go around the office telling everyone that you are pregnant.
Eventually, people will come to know.
4. Enquire about your maternity benefits.
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Maternity leave (ML) is the time during which you get to take care of your health and also your baby. It allows a mum to rest more and also gives her time to cope with breastfeeding challenges and adjust her life around the newborn.
So, once you inform the office about your pregnancy, check with them about the maternity benefits available.
At the same time, make sure to know your rights. Check the employee manual and look into company policies regarding pregnancy rights and maternity leave.
You may also want to read up on the rights under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
For instance, as a working mum in Singapore, you will be entitled to either 16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave or 12 weeks of maternity leave. This depends on whether your child is a Singapore citizen or falls under other criteria.
If your office has a creche or a nursery, you would want to pay a visit and check out if it’s feasible for you to bring the baby there in the long run.
Remember, you need to give your employer at least one week’s notice before going on maternity leave and inform them at the earliest about your delivery.
In the case where you fail to do so, you are only entitled to half the payment during maternity leave, unless you can cite valid reasons for not giving the notice beforehand.
5. Take your decisions wisely.
Your office would like to know when you want to go on ML because they will have to plan on how to get your work done in your absence.
Some of you may also have plans of not returning to work after your ML is over. But don’t take any decision in haste. You may change your decision after your baby is born.
Then finding a job with a newborn is extremely tough. So, always give your decision a proper thought.
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If you have been stressing lately about making your pregnancy announcement at work, we hope, these tips can come in handy. Don’t overthink and unnecessarily complicate the situation.
Today most offices are quite understanding and they support a woman in their journey to motherhood. If you have some awesome colleagues, the challenge surely becomes a lot easier.
Yes, we understand that it may be a difficult conversation to have with your employer but it’s best to be direct and confident in your approach.
It’s not easy for mums to climb the corporate ladder. But don’t take undue stress at this moment.
Your primary focus should be on your baby and creating a serene, stress-free environment for yourself. Balancing work responsibilities with pregnancy hormones is certainly a challenge, but remember, you’re doing an amazing job! If there’s no one around to give you a pat on the back, do it for yourself and proudly say, “I am doing fabulous work!”
Remember, the world is full of inspiring examples of successful working moms. If anyone ever questions your capabilities as an employee, feel empowered to share these stories. After all, you’re about to join their ranks!
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