HR Advice needed please ref work...

[ShouldIBeConcerned]

I've worked for my employer for a long time now (over 5 years) and its a lovely place to work.

I've recently been in a position that I love, albeit very stressful but I've loved the buzz of it. I was off sick due to pg illness for a few weeks and since I've gone back, all my responsibilities seem to have been taken away from me. I'm not really up to doing my usual role so it makes sense really and I think they're being kind but at the same time, its quite clear that I'm being excluded from the running of things. Nobody has sat me down and told me I haven't got my position or anything and a risk assessment hasn't been carried out to my knowledge.

I'm worried my role has been taken away - afterall, they know I'm going on maternity leave later this year. Other people seem to be doing the things I would usually be doing.

I can't decide if this is a good thing or not because I know I'm not up to my normal tasks and I'm just looking forward to my maternity leave now.

I need to be careful what I say because I want to keep anonymous. Any advice would be really appreciated...

[Tatat]

I'd talk to your boss, right away. Let him/her know the things above, that you still really want to be a valuable member of staff, that just because you're pregnant does not mean you are an invalid!

There's a really good book called "the Working woman's pregnancy" that deals with this sort of thing.

Good luck

[heresfor2007]

Hi,
My friend had a similar situation, although she wasn't too happy with the place she worked and as far as I know didn't have any time off due to the pregnancy. As she gradually got further along in her pregnancy she noticed the same and her roll was basically changed without any agreement with her. She happened to work opposite some solicitors or similar type of company and asked their advice and what her rights were. She found out that it is against the law I believe to change your job description and basically discriminate against you whilst you are pregnant. She is a fairly strong willed person and as I said before wasn't really fussed about the company/her job so basically confronted her boss and told him that what he was doing was illegal and that if he didn't want her to take him to court over it, then she was happy to leave - under her terms i.e. early maternity leave with plenty of money. So her boss agreed and she handed her notice in, had a few extra months paid maternity leave and was a happy bunny. I wouldn't recommend you necessarily go about it the same was as my friend considering you like you job/the company, but basically I would definately mention it to you boss straight away as what they are doing is illegal without consulting with you first. It seems as though they are doing it in your own interests but therefore it would just have been courteous to discuss it with you first. I would check you legal position with someone who actually know what they are talking about first though.
Good Luck x

[lisa111]

Firstly, every employer must carry out a risk assesment. You would know if you have had one as you have to go through a lot of questions and sign a form. I work in the NHS as a clerical officer, i put it in writing to my manager that i was expecting (i was only 6 weeks) she did not do my risk assesment either, at 12 weeks her manager had to visit us (a fight had occured with 2 staff) i told her i had not had my risk assesment, she got on to my manager and it turns out my manager did not know i had to have one (maybe she should of read the policy on pregnant workers).

Have a chat with your boss, if i were you i would say something like "i have been really worried about not being able to cope with my work load" and then thank your boss for taking the pressure off you, its sucking up but it will make them feel a bit guilty.

[amiej]

Sorry, but don't delude yourself. Think about the fact that while you were away from the office your boss must have spoken to your colleagues (without your consent or knowledge) and arranged for them to do your work. Are they being paid more, or have they been offered your position when you go on maternity leave? From personal experience, I would say this isn't your company being "kind"; they are gearing up for the changes they have all discussed while you are left in the dark.
You should make clear that you have become aware that your job description seems to have changed and you need to discuss this with your boss, taking notes afterwards of the meeting. Legally, your company needs to take into consideration your condition, but without discriminating against you. You need to take charge of this situation and not let them treat you like a 5-year-old with a bad tummy bug!

They cannot take away your role unless you let them. Sadly, in the private sector, pregnant women are still seen as a blight on company profit.

Just in case it might be useful, maybe you should start noting down anything relevant to your pregnancy and your workplace.

I haven't told my employer yet and plan to hold my stomach in til 5 months.

[lisa111]

check out www.acas.co.uk it explains all your rights at work, good luck x

[amiej]

Also, you should consider that you have already been discriminated against: your employer has changed your job description without reference to you (can't do that anyway) because you are pregnant .
If you weren't pregnant, do you think your job would have changed without anyone saying anything?