Hot office, five weeks before I go on Mat Leave

[Hawkmoth]

I work in a really hot small office with a person senior to me. Today they have emailed to say they have switched desks with me. This means I'm away from the window, which I have to have open all the time because it's so hot. I also have a fan, but it's the breeze from this window that makes the difference.

I have five weeks before I go on mat leave, not sure why they couldn't wait, other than they "can't stand" having their back to the door. I'm worried that I won't be able to keep cool and the swelling I've been struggling with will get out of control and I won't be able to work... But I really can't afford to start my leave early.

Am I right to think that work have a duty of care in this regard? Should I be pushing to work from home? I've had a few days off recently getting pain control for SPD sorted and feel totally pushed out by this.

Thanks in advance.

[PseudoBadger]

You can ask them to review your pregnancy risk assessment in view of this change?

[Hawkmoth]

Thanks, will ask tomorrow. Hopefully HR won't be as prickly as when I asked if holiday bonuses still accrue when you're on Mat Leave (hands in air, "CONSULT EMPLOYMENT LAW IF YOU WANT TO!")

Sigh.

[Hawkmoth]

Realise how pathetic this sounds... It's not the only thing to have happened, but I think perhaps the only thing that's provable and actionable as it were.

Gradually being sidelined and ignored is playing havoc with my stress levels.

[flowery]

I wouldn't go straight to HR. Presumably if this person has the authority to move your desk they are your manager? In which case you should raise it with him/her first, assuming you haven't already if you heard about this yesterday. Explain that as you are pregnant it's very important you don't get too hot particularly as you are already suffering with swelling, making this potentially more of an issue for you that for other pregnant women. On that basis could the desk swap be postponed until you go on maternity leave in a few weeks' time.

If that's no good, then seek HRs help, but as a rule of thumb, always address anything like this with your manager as a first port of call.

[Hawkmoth]

The office colleague is not my manager, a different directorate. I did address it last week, but apparently six weeks really is too long to wait with your back to the door.

Will discuss with my line manager tomorrow.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

No advice but I sympathise. My desk was moved at a similar stage in pregnancy, away from my beloved huge sash window and to a place where I could not access a window to open unless I climbed on the desk Bastards wouldn't move me and I did climb up every day. I was getting panic attacks with no air.

Hope you get it sorted.