how to tell a large group of employees...

[zarapipe]

I'm 15 weeks and going on vacation next week and will be back my 17th week. I will tell my boss this Friday before I leave on vacay. 

I supervise about 30 ppl that I will need to tell before the middle of my 17th week. I have some events with everyone that are indoor/outdoor, meaning hot and no need for my jacket that's been hiding my belly. I don't feel comfortable making a large group announcement, but I guess I could. I was thinking of sending an email this Friday afternoon before i go on vacay. This way I'm gone and they can talk amongst themselves and maybe it will be old news when I get back? I just don't want everyone coming up and asking me a million questions, feeling the need to hug, blah. Is an email acceptable. I don't  like sending non work related emails which is why I'm debating it. 

[Blue Moon]

Apr 1, 2014 16:48:57 GMT -5 bricco said:

I would just tell your boss, and then a select few people (if possible) and let it spread.

Same.  That's what I did and it spread to about 90 other employees by the end of the week.  

[zarapipe]

These people will be very offended if they do not hear it from me. THey will be all "she heard before me, blah blah blah"

Think very immature people.

[vtdiamond]

I agree with the others that I would let word travel on it's own. I do not think you owe it to them to tell them because they are immature. This is your news and your personal life and does not affect them.

[zarapipe]

So let it travel by word of nouth, even to subordinates? I was going to let it get out to co-workers but I felt like it was rude not to directly tell ppl I supervise?. No?

bricco vtdiamond Blue Moon

[mrspost08]

I would send an email so you are the one telling them.

[D2M]

If you supervise people and your maternity leave will affect their day-to-day work in some way, then I think you should tell them. An old boss made an announcement at a staff meeting but I think an e-mail is fine. Keep it short and sweet.

[starfish79]

Based on what you're telling us, I would email before your vacation, like at 5:00pm the day you leave so you're not even in the office when they read it; keep it short and professional. That way a) like you said, the hubbub dies down a little during the week(s) you're gone; b) they can send you congrats over email (since they won't be able to walk over and try to hug you or waste time chit chatting with you about it at your desk); c) they've heard it directly from you and not through grapevine.

Also you can tell them in the note "as you know, I'm a fairly private person, so I didn't want to make a big announcement, but wanted to share my good news. I look forward to returning to work after my trip." or something like that that hints again at your desire to keep things low-key and also hints that you're focused on work when you return, not on chatting about baby stuff all day

[zarapipe]

Apr 2, 2014 10:27:15 GMT -5 starfish79 said:

Based on what you're telling us, I would email before your vacation, like at 5:00pm the day you leave so you're not even in the office when they read it; keep it short and professional. That way a) like you said, the hubbub dies down a little during the week(s) you're gone; b) they can send you congrats over email (since they won't be able to walk over and try to hug you or waste time chit chatting with you about it at your desk); c) they've heard it directly from you and not through grapevine.

Also you can tell them in the note "as you know, I'm a fairly private person, so I didn't want to make a big announcement, but wanted to share my good news. I look forward to returning to work after my trip." or something like that that hints again at your desire to keep things low-key and also hints that you're focused on work when you return, not on chatting about baby stuff all day

I love your wording- thank you!