The law protects you if you advised your employer of your pregnancy before decisions affecting your employment were made. It is better to be open and honest with your employer rather than wait for him or her to find out on their own that you are pregnant. This disclosure is common courtesy, giving your employer notice that you may miss work now and then due to sickness or doctor’s appointments. It also gives your employer time to arrange a temporary replacement while you are out on maternity / parental leave.