The Parental Leave Playbook

Chapter FourTouchpoint 1 Announcement

JANELLE FOUND HERSELF revealing to her boss that she was expecting while at a company party. They were chatting in line for dessert when her boss left for a second to get in the champagne line. She came back with two glasses and offered Janelle one. Caught off guard, Janelle blurted out, “No, thanks, I'm pregnant. Surprise!” To her relief, her boss laughed and hugged her, and they offered the extra glass of champagne to the guy behind them, who laughed, too.

Javier, equally caught off guard, didn't have such a positive start. His manager called him into his office to ask if the rumor that Javier and his husband were adopting was true. When Javier responded that, yes, the news was true, his manager did not smile or congratulate him. Instead he took a passive-aggressive approach and indicated his expectations by reminding Javier that the company policy offered men only two weeks paid leave; the three-month paid leave policy was reserved for birthing mothers. Javier, who had thought he had more time before he had to make his announcement, was unprepared for how to best respond.

As Janelle and Javier's stories show us, you can't always predict when your announcement will happen. However, as much as possible, it is a good idea to try. Your announcement is your first opportunity to kick-start a successful leave and return and can set the tone for your entire three-phase parental leave transition. Although you may have legitimate fears of pregnancy ...