The secret factor
If you are a woman in the workplace, pregnancy is a taboo subject.
Announcing that you are trying — or that you want to try — is just as effective as announcing you are planning to relocate to Bali for a year … or longer. Your bosses know you will not be around for at least a year, and hell, you might never return.
But even if you keep it a secret — and most women do — it’s still not enough. Once that wedding ring is on your finger, all bets are off. Your bosses know there is always the chance you could get preggo at any time, and jump ship — possibly in the middle of a huge project.
No matter how much you love your job, and claim to not be in any rush to have kids, they will always have it in the back of their mind. You will always have it in the back of your mind. Because we all know how going on maternity leave can affect your place in “the game.”
In Knocked Up, Rebecca Eckler was terrified that Sexy Young Intern would steal her job while she was pregnant/on mat leave. And you know what? It was totally justified! There is always a younger woman, fresh out of university, ready to swoop in and take your place. You do have to worry about what happens during the time you are off.
Maternity leave is also sucky for your company. As a manger, I know that if one of my employees announced they would be off for a year — at least — a little part of me would be like, “Faaaaaaaack. That means I have to find a replacement, train the replacement, get them up to speed on everything. Ughhh!”
Hiring new people sucks. Trying to replace amazing employees sucks, because you will never be satisfied. So really, maternity leave is a bitch for you, and for the company who has to let you go on it.
In conclusion, I’m not ready get out of “the game” just yet, so I absolutely do not publicly talk about wanting a baby. Even if my bosses understood, I still don’t want them — or anyone — to know.
It will just be our little secret for now 🙂
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Heather's Handmade Life 