Forum : Pregnancy

Hi I can't believe how many employers are still not playing by the rules with pregnant employees. They need to do the risk assessment and standing for long periods should come under that and they should either give you a chair or move you to another job.
It is normal to get cramps in early pregnancy but even so you shouldn't be standing for long periods. Do you have a union? If so you need to get them involved immediately and acting on your behalf.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_10026556

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/work/healthandsafety/

This is an example of a risk assessment
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/library/a67023_3.PDF

You need to speak to them when you get to work today and tell them that you will not be standing for 9 hours and that if they don't provide a chair and regular breaks that you will be taking further action.
Hopefully they will sort things out for you if you stand up to them xxx

Hi, they havent had me rota'd in this week , which is annoying as i need the money, they were crafty and only contracted me to 8 hrs and ive found out now they have moved me from 22-24 hrs a week to just 8 .. they say budget cuts but i think me moaning about standing they have cut my hrs and gave them to someone else.. x

That's terrible. Do you have a union?

i think its terrible how they are treating u and u mustfeel very helpless. i dont really know much about this but what i do know from a friends experience is that whatever happens dont quit your job by choice if u want to be able to make a case for them behaving badly breaking the rules etc. if u quit out of ur own choice then basically u dont have ot much of a case. my friend quit her job after them treating her terrible due to her being pregnant and she then tried to make a case and didnt have much of aleg to stand on. if they push u out fire u etc then u have alot more of a case.

hopefully it wont come to this tho!!

hiya that is terrible the way they are treating you you should ask for a meeting with your manager and explain to him that he has to do a risk assessment you should contact citzens advice or ACAS they will be able to help you get things sorted i am in the same boat with the contract situation i am only on a 4 hour one and havent told my boss im pregnant as i fear he will try and cut me down from the 16 hours i do i am 14 weeks and will have to tell him soon my supervisors know so i have told them what i feel i can do and they understand my situation x

Hi Marie, I found that going to the doctors provoked a much quicker response from my work place. I was having really bad symptoms in early pregnancy, and pains, I work in a school, and all my manager cared about was their ofsted results.

We are still awaiting an inspection any day, I have found the pressure overwhelming and felt that I was still expected to cartwheel around the classroom, and also to deal with rude & resistant behaviours, such as fights and aggression.

So I went to the doctor, and asked to be signed off for two weeks, I explained to my doctor some of the conditions and how they were affecting me. So On the sick note doc also recommended that some adaptation need to be made. E.g. not to stand for long periods, to be able to keep up fluid intake, and visit the toilet for sickness etc... On my return I booked a meeting with HR manager, to have a chat about me following the advice of my doctor. They can_t argue with a doctor and soon wizened up. I have also consulted my unions who have advised me to make a note of any unfair treatment. At work I am showing them that I am doing my hardest to remain positive and polite, but have made it very clear that |I need lots of support during my pregnancy.

Yes it is disgusting how employers treat us, but i think if we don_t shout loud enough they will continue to treat us unfairly, because they can. During my first pregnancy I suffered in silence because I didn_t understand my rights and was too scared to rock the boat. But never again! So do make them play the game because the law and protocol will protect you.
Good luck.xx

Well ive got the midwife first time on tues so i will tell her how they are treating me, one of my supervisors think i should have her chair but its the boss of the tills which doesnt, whats worse i have known her since i was little and shes being completly horrible, i had to call in sick today i feel utter crap, no engery headache for days now, sickness wont go away sore throat, but no doubt they will go mad at me, i do feel they are cutting my hrs to push me out, i just feel ugh, im going to see what the midwife says if not ill go to the doctors and see what they say, even tho i feel ill they wont pay me for today, i think they cut my hrs in the week due to having to go to scans docs, etc and they just dont want to pay me.. :( thanks for your help guys, i will see if i can get them to do a risk assessment as i dont think i should risk my baby as there too lazy to do anything, when i get masive paint thru the tills i have to drag them across the scan, the shop just doesnt seem to care.

I cant belive employers still behave this way... its disgusting!

Im 10 + 5 days and had to tell work as sooon as i found out i was pregnant (i work in a childrens home) so they were told when i was 5 weeks. to date i already have had 3 risk assessments (1 risk assessment which has been updated every 2 weeks). if your employers are still refusing to be huamne i would def take this further try contacting citezaens advice x

good luck with your MV appt, Don't let them bully you, take care and do let us know how you get on.
xx

finally got a chair!!! still no risk assessment tho :/ utter stupid place,, midwife went okay had trouble getting blood which has never happened b4 so im all bruisesd :( hate blood tests...just waiting on scan now, morning or all day sickness is bad tho, wish it wud stop x