9 weeks pregnant and just started at Google

25 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 26,2024 at 12:18PM UTC

   I’ve not experienced this personally but my boss did! He was hired and one week later was off on paternity leave. Returned after a month and is incredibly successful a supe dedicated father and a wonderful leader. He makes it very clear what his boundaries are regarding his work time and family time. So, after you’ve completed your first trimester and not before give your very joyful and happy announcement. Make sure you make your boundaries clear and take advantage of the benefits. Happy healthy people with family priority make excellent employees! Congratulations by the way!

2. AnonymousSeptember 26,2024 at 12:34PM UTC

   I found out I was eight weeks pregnant with my first child the same day I started a new job, I was very forthcoming to my manager and he and I worked it so I could come back part time after the allowable maternity leave period. I worked there for 10 years.

3. AnonymousSeptember 26,2024 at 12:52PM UTC

   Yes, I see your concern, and depending upon what state your LOA will be handled as according to your state. ultimately.Are they required to hold your exact role, caution on that for sure, you may not have been in role long enough to have to legally hold that role for you. Prove your worth while in role, take care of your health during this time (which is most important), and learn as much about them while you're there. Once you feel you're at that point in your pregnancy that you can/want to share find out their process and pov. Again, it will align with the legalities for the state and if there are differences from what they can do federally with your state, they should walk you through that. Build your work relationships and business acumen now. You can't control how life just happens, keep prospective and take care of your little miracle FIRST.

4. AnonymousSeptember 26,2024 at 1:17PM UTC

   don't feel guilty. None of us can "predict" the need for a medical leave, whether it be pregnancy, surgery, a progressive disease, or whatever. You have to re-frame this in your mind. YOu haven't "done anything"- you're not a "bad employee" because you are expecting. Worry about your job won't change a thing. Take good care of yourself, and tell your boss when you feel it's "safe" to do so (like maybe at 16 weeks or so, but up to you). Again....PREGNANCY isn't a "worse" health situation than any other- it's a fact of life (and a blessing!). Chin up, do your best. Let the future take care of itself.

5. OLIVIA JOHNSONSeptember 26,2024 at 2:43PM UTC

   Hi there!

   Well it sounds like a CONGRATULATIONS is in order with new job and new baby!

   Rest assured that on the legalities of it your role has to be secured for you upon your return (there are some outliers to this but they are extreme cases, like fraud and things of that sort).

   On the business and business relationship side, I truly understand the concern, however, keep in mind we are still talking several months away until your actual leave. So it's not a situation where you have to take leave right now. You still have the present time to start and enjoy your dream job. there are ways to make this transition more manageable when you get to that point.

   Worst case scenario, in thinking through your fear, if for some very odd reason you have to transition away, you now have Google on your resume.

   Enjoy your awesome WINS and cross that bridge when you're there.

   Coach Olivia

6. AnonymousSeptember 26,2024 at 4:11PM UTC

   Xoogler here. Google has policies on top of policies for everything from maternity leave to FMLA to mental health breaks. When you tell your manager that you need maternity leave, it will set off a predictable and prescripted chain of events. There ARE a lot of layoffs right now, so I can't guarantee that you will have a job if you leave for maternity leave, but if you do, it will be because someone who likely did not know you were on maternity leave, eliminated your position (not you, they likely did not even know who 'you' as an employee are.)

   So, I would not worry so much. Your manager will follow the 'script' when you tell them and it likely won't impact your job any more than it would if this happened 3 years into your work.

   So double congrats!

7. AnonymousSeptember 26,2024 at 4:22PM UTC

   Congratulations! Focus on the pregnancy. The law protects you when you give your manager written notice of your need for maternity leave. Also be sure to read thoroughly your employee handbook, I can assure you that G has an extended section on leaves. When you do give them notification do it in writing to not only the manager but also to the HRBP for your business unit and perhaps someone in legal too. Cover all the bases. They have to preserve your role if you are on a medical/mat leave though a layoff which covers many may not. Don't think in the negative! It's a great time for only positive thinking in your life now.

8. AnonymousSeptember 26,2024 at 4:29PM UTC

   Google is a very savvy company that usual takes care of it employees. I'm sure you are not the first one this has happened to. Wait to announce when you're comfortable and hope for the best. Things happen but this is great news.

   Congratulations on the new job and your baby news.

9. Dawn McDonnellSeptember 27,2024 at 1:23PM UTC

   My advice. Work it do it, celebrate it and see if you can negotiate remote work in advance without breathing a word your pregnant. Cover it up the best u can . Do they give you immediate insurance? Do you have to wait 60-90 days?

   Don’t breathe a word to anyone your Prego till you absolutely have to,

   congratulations My advice having 3 & a mis from 35-40 is don’t tell anyone in your circle until past 3-4 months.

   Good luck - Be smart exciting times.

10. Amy Birkner BrownSeptember 27,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

    Google is actually very supportive of pregnancy and new motherhood. I think you will be fine. I would wait for a bit until you’re probably 15 or 16 weeks just to make sure everything is going well, but then make sure that you tell your manager and HR so that you give them plenty time to get things planned ahead of time. Best wishes with your new baby and congratulations!

11. AnonymousSeptember 27,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    What a lovely manager!!

12. Samantha (Erickson) MaddenSeptember 27,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Don't stress over this. I work in tech as well with numerous friends at google and it's a very supportive company. You may not qualify for the full paid leave program, just as a heads up. When I worked at Twitter we had a similar situation where someone started on my team about 10weeks, but the rule then (9 years ago) was you had to work a full year before getting the 5 month paid leave. She still took the full time off, but wasn't paid the entire time to my knowledge. I'm just back from my second maternity leave at a different tech company & here's how you can help your team:

    1- Make a super comprehensive document for your coverage. Write down everything you do, how you do it, and organize the doc well. Share it with your manager at the beginning of your third trimester and keep adding details until you go out. This should be pages long and extra detailed. Let your manager comment on it and adjust the document to their preferences.

    2- Keep a running list of your projects, next steps, and timelines starting around then on the doc just in case you end up needing to go out on leave early. Keep a running 1:1 doc with your manager from day one so they know what you're working on, progress of those projects, and feel super over-communicated with. In general, over communicate and over document everything.

    3- Schedule meetings proactively and frequently before you go out to train whoever might be taking over for you on how you do your role!

    Mostly, don't stress over work. Your job is protected by LAW. If you feel worried, tell your job right away so you're protected legally in case you need pregnancy provisions right away, and your manager doesn't feel like you pulled a fast one on them. But you have a right to become a mother, and working in tech is a great place to be when you do. <3 Try to enjoy this time and I hope you are feeling well!

13. AnonymousSeptember 27,2024 at 4:27PM UTC

    I am so lucky to have found this community. Thank you to everyone that has replied to my post. This really helped ease my mind and actually made me feel excited for these huge changes in my life. Thank you so much!!!!

14. RachelSeptember 28,2024 at 1:24AM UTC

    I will say there's nothing you can do but hope. You don't need to tell them anytime soon unless you want to. They can't fire you because you're pregnant. The only thing that sucks is not being protected by FMLA. My SIL started a job while pregnant and didn't get to keep the job after she went on leave. Save save save and just stay on good terms with them and you may be lucky. Congrats on both accounts

15. AnonymousSeptember 28,2024 at 1:17PM UTC

    &lt;Background: Tech Director in Banking w 20 yrs experience.&gt;

    firstly congrats on the pregnancy and gig at Google you should be extremely proud of both. I agree with most comments, my take:

    1) Google would support you - a lot of friends work there. I would work remotely in the beginning if possible to lessen the physical commute and give time for health pregnancy

    2) Consider telling them AFTER your first day within your 30-60 days (not before your 16 weeks for sure) because they might give you more flexibility. It's illegal to fire someone for being pregnant in the UK. Check out to EU Equality 2010 Act for assurance.

    3) Don't want to tell them ??? Then ask for remote working first few weeks .... incorporate technical training in your first 30-60 days which you can do remotely

    signup their families or women's network to get insights on how Google supports those who are pregnant

    3) Setting Goals and Physical Heath

    On goals - consider joining "the bare minimum club" to help balance your health and pregnancy ... that way you have time for you and can meet your goals

    make sure you get home office equipment and take breaks if you can. I recommend seated yoga and stretching but ask your doctor or GP

    Hope this helps

16. AnonymousSeptember 30,2024 at 6:44PM UTC

    Agree that the OP needs to understand what they, in their specific geographic location, will be allowed to have for accommodation during pregnancy, and time off during the pregnancy if needed, and then what kind of leave of absence they can take under what provisions as stated by the employment laws that their employer has to comply to give them. The clarification that needs to be understood is to differentiate between the accommodations and time off that are required to be paid by the employer and time off that can be taken using the FLMA/leave of absence may not be paid by the employer unless they offer it as part of their employment agreement as a paid benefit. That’s why this is not understood because employment laws are not especially here in the USA exactly the same for every state even if working for a major corporation. Google has generous employee benefits which are clearly stated in their employment contracts. What tends to get ignored by the commenters in this feed is the requirement stated in every hire/employment agreement, no matter what employer is the amount of time required to get these benefits covered as a paid benefit for leave of absence especially if the person is newly hired and has not yet been employed past the probation period ( usually 30-45 days) before any benefits are fully applicable. Everyone wants to know if their leave of absence doesn’t effect their having a job if they have to take a known leave of absence. There is a whole list of reasons that qualify for any leave of absence, being pregnant and giving birth with any and all qualitifiers for accommodation just one of the listed reasons. Dealing with the paperwork and knowing what is required to apply for the leave needs explanation if the wording used is unclear. One would be filing out the same kind of paperwork if one had another type of physical condition that required accommodation at work and needed to take time off to recover from a medical condition. While working pregnancy fall under the disability category when dealing with on the job accommodations if needed. The time off after birth is handled in stages—first is the medical leave for recovery as noted by doctor documentation, which is covered under sick days —the amount and start of how many days are paid are covered in your employee benefits program. The extended leave after this period is where the application of maternal/paternal leave starts again what is paid by the employer is explained in your employment handbook, also requires paperwork documentation. Both your geographic location and your employer will state if this leave of absence is paid time and who pays , BUT, there is a qualifier to the amount of time needed to be employed to BOTH get the paid leave and for the employer to hold a position available for when the employee, in this case, the OP, may return to work. Usually that qualifier of being employed at the current employer is longer than the 9 months of pregnancy. Which is why, job switching or recent hire to anew job right before or at the start of a pregnancy raises questions about coverage for the pregnancy, accommodation if needed at work, time off to recover from the birth, and any possible extended time off to adapt to the lifestyle changes. Some employers have generous benefits that cover every possible need for paid time off coverage, which should be listed in your employee handbook. BUT remember that what they offer is based on employment laws. Don’t assume a right of paid time off coverage based on social media posts. When and if there’s a federal labor law created by Congress addressing this as a required paid by the employer law, then that would be the standard

17. AnonymousSeptember 28,2024 at 5:18PM UTC

    I think you need to notify your boss ASAP because that will secure your job.

18. AnonymousSeptember 30,2024 at 3:02PM UTC

    The law protects them, nobody is obligated to inform pregnancy as soon as possible. Job security cannot depend on being pregnant or not, that would be completely illegal.

19. AnonymousSeptember 30,2024 at 12:24PM UTC

    I agree. She said that she was trying to become pregnant for 5 years, right? So now, when it finally happened she should celebrate. @maria rose, stop shaming people for getting a family and stop putting the career first. Your career won't visit you when you're old and in a wheelchair, believe me.

20. TomBooleySeptember 30,2024 at 12:37PM UTC

    First, congratulations on both! This is another reason I am disenchanted with this country. In several other countries you would have a paid year off and your job would be guaranteed. Your husband would probably have paid time off too. Women shouldn’t have to go through this kind of stress and uncertainty to have children and a job.

21. AnonymousSeptember 30,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

    Hello Anonymous,

    Good morning, and congrats! I work at Google too, so hello fellow Noogler!

    I would suggest to let Google know in 90 days. There are plenty of resources to help families here. They most of the time work with you depending on which team you are on, but overall they will support you.

    My manager found out later in her pregnancy and she gave it some time before letting them know, then they offered her remote for the rest of her time (unless it was a client meeting or town hall).

    Just breathe! It will all work itself out! Just do your best and at least try to get your first 3 months in, and tell them. Also, check into our internal search engine for answers for this too!

    Congrats and good luck!

22. GeneenSeptember 30,2024 at 2:53PM UTC

    First and foremost congratulations! This is supposed to be the most exciting time in your life and it is! This same exact thing happened to me when I started my "dream" job with a NBA team in the corp offices. I didn't tell them anything until I was well into the second trimester (4 months). I'm also in HR and had an employee do this when they started and we worked with her and all turned out great! Especially when she got back from her mat leave. Rock out and do well in the time you're there. They'll be understanding.

23. AnonymousSeptember 30,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

    Your pregnancy is a status protected by law. Please read everything concerning to employee law and pregnancy in the EEOC. That will help you get informed, will probably give you peace of mind and congratulations on getting your dream job and pregnancy at the same time. Double joy, enjoy the ride.

24. TomBooleySeptember 30,2024 at 6:06PM UTC

    That’s probably not true - but even so they don’t have to in order to have a high quality of life.

25. Eileen GarciaOctober 4,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

    Don't feel guilty. Congratulations. I hope they have a great maternity leave package and your job is legally required to be there when and if you decide to go back following the guidelines of your leave or disability package. Talk to HR about your insurance and leave immediately to make sure all your paperwork is in order.