Hi Moms!
I've worked at the same company for almost 7 years and I'm on my second child since I've been there. I've been a remote employee (the only one) for the last 5 years, but I'm still pretty tight with the staff despite the distance (there are only about 20 of us). Anyway, I'm now 12 weeks pregnant and I'd like a creative way to tell the staff that one of their own is expecting. A contest, a game, something fun. Do you have any ideas or something fun you did to announce at work? I feel like some people won't suspect me since I'm not there in front of them, but I am still one of the more obvious choices for the pregnant one.
By the way, my bosses already know, but no one else on staff does. And I'm a graphic designer.
I'd love to hear your ideas!
Thanks,
Hilary
Are you good with graphics? Maybe 'design' a bib or onesie with the company's logo and have it read 'Intern arriving.....(add birth month/year)' and email it to everyone.
Design a crossword puzzle?
Hmmm. I know you are happy. If it was first and family you might want to do something cutesy. However, these are co-workers. I would just send a
Note saying there is another little one on the way. I would pass on the games, contest. Just my opinion.
I would send them cupcakes with pink or blue frosting...don't get carried away with a game or something....I know that you are excited - as you should be!!!!...but co-workers are not going to be as excited as you are.
Guessing games or contests are cute with friends and family, but a bit over the top for work. Your coworkers may really like you, but your pregnancy isn't an exciting event in their lives, it's an exciting event in YOUR life. If it was me, I'd send a short email, nothing more. But sending pink or blue cupcakes with a note would be cute too and not too needy/attention seeking.
I like what Rebecca said about the bib thing. My company is *really* weird about this type of stuff. The manager's boss was pregnant, very noticeably I might add, and she didn't tell anyone until a waiter actually mentioned it while the managers were out at lunch with her. The next day they all got a short email, nothing more was ever said. I guess it depends on your work environment but yours sounds like the people are pretty chill.
I would wait until you are showing a little and wearing maturnity cloths and take some sweet treats into the office one day.
I told my boss when she needed to know (i.e. I started showing) and we discussed my leave, and nice congratulations was in order and that was about it. I told some friends at work, who told other people, but games and treasure hunts and other cutsie, silly things would have gotten eye rolls from my office. My colleagues would have probably thought I was needy for attention if I went all out, like you are suggesting. Maybe we had a more serious or professional work environment than you do.... Do this stuff with your family and friends outside of work. At work, just tell a few people you are especially close with and they will spread the word for you. If you go all out, you will be getting eye rolls behind your back, I suspect. IMHO.
As a person who has both a pregnant employee and the boss of pregnant employees, a) tell your boss first b) then announce to your immediate department c) then to anyone else.
Discuss the timing of b) with your boss. He/she may want to give a head's up to his/her manager first. Don't be offended if they ask when your due date is. They will want to plan for coverage during your leave. When I told my boss, she immediatly whipped out her calender to see if it how my absense would interfere with our quarterly SEC filings. It was actually quite funny. I was flattered she was going to miss me that much.
Geez, I just read all the other answers. Sorry if I missed the mark. I'd vote for cupcakes... everyone loooooves food in an office setting and they always ask what the occasion is. Great ice breaker.
I like the cupcake idea. Or you can have a game called guess my due date!! Where I work when people are expeting its very exciting!!!
I'd do a sort of treasure hunt with each of them following clues. You could even have a cohort in the office that would hide items. A blank plain announcement, an empty picture frame, some sort of generic items that don't say "I'm having a baby" but that some sort of announcement is coming.
The bosses would have to be on board of course since this would take time from work being done but if they like fun stuff they may hop right in there and help out.
I'd just make it fun and enjoyable so everyone would want to participate.
I like Rebecca's suggestion. Keep it simple!
Once the news is out, let people know your supposed due date and start an office pool as to when the baby will come. That will be fun and whoever wants to participate can.
I wouldn't do anything too fun or cutesy, I'd want to keep it professional. I think the idea of sending in some sort of baby themed cupcakes is fine, but I wouldn't turn it into a guessing game, just design a card from you. Congrats on expecting!
I would just send an email. Maybe tell 1-2 close colleagues in person but no games or anything.
