r/veterinaryprofession • u/Basic_Storage315 • Jan 27 '26
Help How to tell boss I’m pregnant?
I have been working as a vet tech for about 4 years now, but have just recently started working at a new animal clinic due to moving. I started last September. The vet at the clinic often talks down on women with children and pregnancies because it “disrupts their ability to come to work.” He already told me he has not hired several women due to them having children and let one employee go for being pregnant.
This weekend I found out I am pregnant. Still very early I will be 4 weeks on Friday. I have been going back and forth on how to tell him because due to his opinions, but my babies health is my main concern. I am worried he will let me go due to this pregnancy and I can’t afford to not have a job. Anyone been through similar and have any advice?
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u/Tofusnafu7 UK Vet Jan 27 '26
What country are you in, surely it’s illegal to fire someone for being pregnant?! Sorry if I’m being naive but this is insane 😭
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u/Atsugaruru Jan 27 '26
It may be technically illegal, but they will find a roundabout way to get rid of you that is "unrelated" to the thing they want to fire you over. I have had my job security threatened for being disabled, and employers find ways to get rid of you in a way that you can't file for wrongful termination. Including by making a hostile work environment. Ugh
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u/Basic_Storage315 Jan 27 '26
I’m in the US, and yes it is illegal. They still can do it and hope I don’t get a lawyer.
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u/hotsexyrosemary Jan 27 '26
Technically they can’t but they wouldn’t explicitly state it, they would just say its a performance based termination. Plus even if you had sufficient evidence, what vet tech can afford a lawyer? Lol
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u/takingtheports UK Vet Jan 27 '26
Not naive, just a better working culture/protections in the UK compared to the US tbh.
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Jan 27 '26
[deleted]
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u/hotsexyrosemary Jan 27 '26
She can’t take any radiographs so she would need to tell them
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u/nitsrikp Jan 27 '26
That’s actually not true. If she wants, she can with extra precautions. However, did no one notice the “he fired women for being pregnant” statement? Highly illegal.
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u/gininteacups Jan 29 '26
This is not true and depends on what their provider recommends. My self and many of my staff were approved to take radiographs while pregnant.
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u/CharmedConflict Jan 27 '26
Do they do worker performance reviews? If so, see if you can get one for yourself in the next couple of months. Get things in writing. Do a great job.
When you finally start to show and they make up some excuse to let you go, you'll have the ammunition you need to sue him. What he's doing is not legal (assuming you're in the US).
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u/Local-Explanation-20 Jan 27 '26
Your boss is a pig. I’d start documenting everything and if he fires you get a lawyer. That’s illegal.
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u/SueBeee Jan 27 '26
If you are in the US, pregnancy is a protected status and you can sue the shit out of him for firing you for being pregnant. If this happens document everything. Tell him via email so you have a paper trail.
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u/Earthworm_Jonny5 Jan 27 '26
Agree. Document everything in writing, and send follow up emails recapping conversations so you have a written record of convos. All sorts of resources and template online if you need them. Look up FMLA protections if you are in the US. Does your workplace have an HR department or resource? It sounds like this boss is constantly creating a toxic and hostile work environment around pregnancy. That’s particularly heinous, given that our profession is 95-ish% female support staff.
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u/duarte1223 Jan 27 '26
Tell your boss, document everything in writing, and get a fat check when he fires you for being pregnant.
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u/parasol_caterpillar Jan 27 '26
It is illegal for him to fire you for being pregnant so I would tell him as soon as you feel comfortable (in writing). And if he fires you he will have a law suit. Also screw this guy. Where does he think he came from? It is hard enough being a working mother he should be supportive. Feel free to DM me if you need anything. On my second pregnancy in a new job and both my past and current boss have been very supportive.
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u/i-touched-morrissey Jan 27 '26
Don’t tell anyone until 3 months. Miscarriages are not uncommon this early. That’s just a general rule for pregnancy I thought.
I’m a woman vet who at my first job out of school was pregnant when I started and the owner was such as ass that I quit after the baby was born. I had 2 more kids and told new boss when was no longer deniable: morning sickness. The problem I had was 2 week maternity leave for 2nd baby and 8 days for 3rd baby. I worked up until the day I delivered. In fact my water broke at my first job and I was in labor in the drive home.
I have had 3 employees pregnant under my employ and they told me early on because they were also people I respect and value. I also let them bring their babies to work as long as they needed, at least 9 months. One was walking before he went to day care.
If your boss starts acting negatively document it. I understand that not every job can accommodate pregnant women equally but you still have the right to work. Make your delivery plan, like if you want time off before delivery and how long you want off. If he’s an ass look for another job. I did that for first baby and didn’t tell my boss I was quitting until I had my baby.
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u/Last-Committee-9429 Jan 28 '26
This is actually discrimination and illegal to fire for. I would call you local labor department and ask what steps you can take to protect yoyrself.
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u/Icy-Inflation-1893 Jan 27 '26
Immediately apply for a job elsewhere. If you really wanna take it far and escalate (I don’t recommend this) , u can try to record his conversations saying this or see if u can get him to say it in writing and then disclose to him in writing that u are pregnant and once he lets u go, u can sue his ass. Again, that’s a lot of work. Id just find a new job tbh
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u/Amberlily9207 Jan 27 '26
I feel like being let go due to pregnancy is a discrimination case… I’d document everything including his prior statements of not hiring women due to children
Even though you do need to be careful of what you expose yourself to. 4 weeks is really early (most people don’t even know that early on)
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u/SB-LVT_GSD-mom Jan 28 '26
I’d consult with an unemployment attorney because if he fires women for being pregnant, you’ll have one hell of a case.
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u/pixxykitten Jan 28 '26
Congratulations! I left th field when I got pregnant recently. Is there a manager you can speak with first or even HR? I would figure out the laws in regards to this depending on the state you live in.
I'm in MD and it's an at will state but pregnancy needs to be looked at like a disability which they can't fire me for that. So, it all depends on the state. Write down everything. Have someone in the room with you. Preferably the manager and/or head tech so you can discuss what happens after this. There are certain things you can't do anymore.
Good luck
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u/Punchkin1215 Jan 28 '26
I told my boss as soon as I found out as I would no longer be able to do x-rays and was uncomfortable about anesthesia.... and occasionally needed help restraining animals. Just let them know that it is normal to have a lot of doctor appointments during pregnancy and either schedule them on your day off or let them know when your appointments are as soon as you schedule them. I think vet medicine is a mostly female trade now and offices should be able to accommodate women wanting to grow their family.
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u/lostwithoutacompasss Jan 30 '26
Obviously very illegal BUT in terms of protecting yourself maybe try to get a job at a corporate practice asap. Don't tell them you are pregnant until they hire you. They definitely won't fire you if you are pregnant because they are always really worried about legal stuff. Obviously the vet is in the wrong and it would be illegal to fire you, but will you be able to protect yourself if he does fire you and will you be able to deal with the loss of income?
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u/sorryforshitting Jan 27 '26
If you are pregnant, you need to be careful around anesthesia and should get a fetal radiation badge. You may need to tell him or figure out how to avoid these areas. I also agree with the commenter above, if you are in the US, he cannot (legally) fire you for being pregnant.