When do you talk to your boss about taking a leave of absence?

I definitely think the sooner the better. For one, you will then know what your choices are on coming back or finding another employer when the time is right for you. And second, it gives them time to possibly look for a temporary replacement. They will respect you more for coming forward and letting them know of what you are feeling and what you think you need to know. Giving them that respect might help you to keep your job when you're ready to do so.

I am lucky enough that my job allows about 6 months between state and federal family leave. I wish I could be home longer, but I will be having family watching the baby most of the week, and day care only two days a week. You're lucky to have the option of staying home for a year, I wish I did. If you can do it, I would.

There is no law against being a jerk. It is unethical, but not illegal. People will tell you that you can sue, but the reality is you need to show monetary damages to file a civil suit, plus waste a whole lot of time and more money on lawyers than they do, and you could still lose. The alternative is to not make a big deal out of it, and let everybody get it off their minds. You know the truth, and it's a lot more reasonable that the gossip. But gossip is like that. Fortunately, gossip usually dissipates pretty fast. I would answer anybody with, "Wow, that's what she told you? Must have been a slow day for gossiping b**ches. Sorry, the real story is much less dramatic." Please don't let this take any more out of you than it already has. That's just putting icing on their cake.

I would wait a little while, maybe a month or 2 before you are leaving, that is enough time for them to find a replacement. But you dont want them to replace you too soon. I would check your companies policy bc normally a leave of absence is only up to 90 days. We always tell our employees that they can take a leave but can not 100% promise the position is still available if it is a long leave, we have to have someone in that position and it isnt fair for someone who got hired loses their job bc someone decided to come back to work. I would assume that after a year, you would have to reapply and see if a position is open.

I wouldn't tell more than 3 months before. If you are planning to work until 9 th month, tell in 6 th month.

At my work they were completely dependent on me so I gave two months notice thinking they will have time to find another person. Then my boss too nice to me until I gave notice said we want you to leave once we found replacement.

They are business people they already are thinking about all possibilities(since they know you are pregnant) and whatever you think, they are not dependent on you.

As you said team is understaffed why would they wait for you for one year? If they found second, good enough candidate, you will have to reapply again.

Don't be emotional be practical.(38 weeks)

Depends how important of a person you are to the company. Do you have a job that can be done by one of the "applications on file" or are you in a job that will take months for them to find the right canidate for?

I told my employer months ahead. I knew my job was secure and I didn't want them to be suprised later on. Congrats on your decision to stay home.

I would say 6-8 weeks before you are expected to leave on maternity leave. You will probably take off for maternity leave a month before your due date, maybe sooner depending on the pregnancy. But if your at a cozy job, that doesnt require much movement, and your relaxed, I would say youll take off a month before your due date. I wouldnt tell him too early, because you dont want to risk being fired. Even though thats illegal, doesnt stop it ya know? So I would tell him 6-8 weeks before, that way you can post ad's to find someone to take your place, and help train. That will definately look better on your part.

Have you considered working at home? Day care robs you of precious Mommy memories that a stranger would get. Use your year to do some exploration.

The appropriate time at least a month.

The sooner the better!

you told your boss very early that you are preggers -so why not spring this on him early, too.

asap