Image from www.pregnancyfashion.sheknows.comIf you work at a company with women from all stages of life, odds are that you will eventually have personal contact with a soon-to-be mom. If you are a woman yourself, it’s easy to believe you know exactly what it’s like for that person, but everyone deals with these kind of events differently. Especially when you’re in the workplace, be sure to abide by these general rules so you don’t unintentionally cross any boundaries.
- If you’re not sure, don’t say anything. Sure, you may have worked with her for the last two years and you are certain that she’s never gained weight like this, but don’t assume she’s pregnant or ask just based off of hypothesis. If a woman is pregnant, wait until she is ready to announce it before mentioning it.
- Refrain from commenting on eating habits or weight: Chances are that you’ll notice a few changes in your pregnant coworker, including her eating habits and her body shape/weight. Even though it’s a natural part of life, refrain from talking about food or weight as they can make even a secure (non hormonal) person uncomfortable.
- Don’t touch the stomach: Whatever you do, it is completely unacceptable to touch a woman’s stomach in the workplace. It may be something you do often when your sister is pregnant, but touching a person’s stomach is a very personal manner. Even if it doesn’t offend the one who is pregnant, it can certainly make for an awkward situation in the office.
- If you attend a shower, bring a gift. If you participate in a workplace baby shower, be sure to bring a gift as well. If you are not close with the soon-to-be mom, still invest in something off of her registry or a gift card.
Making Etiquette Easy,
Susan K. Medina
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