I would prefer is somebody answered this question who has experience
with unions, school districts or both.

My wife is eight weeks pregnant and is working as a first year teacher
for a high school in NY. She hasn’t told anybody that she is pregnant
yet, because she fears that she will not be asked back next year and
of course because it is early to safely tell everybody.

There is no way she can hold out until she gets offered a job for next
year, so she will have to tell them sooner or later. Today she
received an ‘okay’ review but was told she isn’t going the extra mile
as some other one year teachers are around her.

My wife always goes the extra mile to the point of being ridiculous,
but she is extremely tired and fatigued right now because of the
pregnancy. She is doing her job and getting it done well, just not
fabulous. She has wants to return to work shortly after having the
baby.

Now I fear that if she doesn’t tell somebody that she is pregnant, she
won’t be protected if she loses her job for next year.

So, my question is… what is the norm in a situation like this? Should
she announce that she is pregnant now or wait until a specific time
frame? Is her job protected even though she hasn’t announced it yet?

Any other thoughts on the situation would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there,

Announcing her pregnancy isn't going to affect her job status one way
or another - it's against the law to terminate someone for being
pregnant, and if it's determined that she's not meeting performace
standards, she can be terminated whether she's pregnant or not.

The most prudent course of action would be for her to discuss her
situation with her union representative - that's why we pay union
dues.  Her representative will be able to inform her of what her
options are far better than we can, as we are unfamiliar with the
details of her contract.

Good luck!

--Missy  <--Card carrying, dues paying Union girl, UFCW Local 911.

Missy Rocks.

Thanks for the advice... that is what we are going to do.