DANCING PREGNANT AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA: HOW MY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE INCREASED MY LOYALTY TO THE COMPANY

As many people know, I've been a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera since 2014. It's a community I love and has been a source of inspiration for wanting to spark camaraderie in the workplace. I was very lucky to squeeze in one last contract of Mozart's The Magic Flute six to eight months pregnant. Here are my takeaways on why it was such a special experience: 

1. Supportive management:
- Management was very encouraging during this process
- We collaborated to find a solution that would keep me & bebe safe without disrupting the integrity of a production
- Management would check in periodically, but treated me with the same respect and trust as the other artists

2. Encouraging colleagues
- My colleagues went above & beyond to be nurturing, reassuring, and kind
- Because of them, I looked forward to going to work each and every day
- Before our closing show, they threw me a sweet, thoughtful baby shower

The biggest takeaway is how my workplace made me feel during this time. It was a form of inclusivity and understanding that I'll remember for the rest of my life. For management, these tactics reinforced my loyalty to the organization. For employees who may have an expecting colleague, peer support made me more grateful than ever to work in such a wonderful environment.