Pregnant and Working
Author: Giuditta Tornetta CD (DONA), CLE, CCH

Congratulation you are pregnant. You want to shout it to the world, but you are not sure how they are going to react at work, afterall you are such an important member of the "team!" Don't tell you employer about you pregnancy until you need to. When you need to will depend on your medical condition, potential workplace hazards, and your plans. In general, your pregnancy is legally irrelevant to your work. If you can do your work, keep doing it and do it very well. You have legal rights and if you need to contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state civil rights commission. Relax, if you raise you love energy to its highest level the news will be taken with enthusiasm! The most common problem is old attitudes toward women's roles and all the baggage that comes along them. For example, many employers see a pregnant woman and, rather than seeing a competent professional, they see someone needing protection who is about to leave them hanging in nine months. The problem is that these attitudes are self-fulfilling prophecies: because a woman is pregnant, she doesn't get an important training opportunity and then, the employer decides that without the training she can't handle the most challenging problems, and then assigns her schlep work. Very soon, since she doesn't have the training, she gets more and more schlep work. As a result, the employer decides that all she's good for and that, after all, he was right because look at the schlep work she's doing. It is a vicious cycle and the graveyard for the dreams of many working women who become pregnant.

Benevolent Pregnancy Discrimination sounds like this: "Of course, you can't handle your job any more because you are pregnant" and "(Despite what the physicians say), we're only doing this to protect you and the baby." Such treatment may be unlawful. If you feel uncomfortable with the treatment you are receiving at work record everything that is said and done. Raise you energy and send out only positive feelings towards the employer, try to fight it with love, but as the Muslims say "Pray to Allah, but tie your camels."

When you are ready go an talk to the human resource department at work or with your boss. Ask you co-workers about their experience with your company in the same situation. Here are some questions you should ask:

• Does the company offer any paid paternity/maternity leave? How many days?

• How many vacation and personal days will I have accrued?

• Can I use sick days for paternity/maternity leave?

• Are there any limitations on using accrued vacation days toward paid paternity/maternity leave?

• Can I take vacation days that I haven't yet accrued?

• Am I eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid family leave under the FMLA?

• Am I eligible for any paid or unpaid family leave under the state's provisions or company policy? How much and when can I take it?

• Will I have to wait longer to be eligible for a raise or promotion if I take unpaid leave?

• Will I have to wait longer to be eligible for more annual vacation time if I take unpaid leave?

• How do I pay my health insurance premiums while I'm on leave?

• Will I still be covered by my life insurance while on leave and (if you pay a premium for extra coverage) how do I pay those premiums?

• Are there any other benefits that are affected?

Do not look for problems if they are not there, but stand up for your rights. Under no circumstances should you let your work stress come between you, your baby and this magical and mystical moment. Remember, The Universe will provide for you and yours, you job is to seek, peace, joy and the divine connection that opens up when you share the power and joy of creation with the Creator!








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Giuditta Tornetta is a doula, a lactation educator, a hypnotherapist and author of the upcoming book: Joy In Birthing: Daily Inspirations for a Natural and Painless Childbirth. She has a private practice in Los Angeles and can be reached through her website at http://www.JoyInBirthing.com or call 310-435-6054

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