Work hours- pregnancy rights

[user1470244422]

(I have also posted this in pregnancy group but not sure if it was right one)
I'm 12 weeks pregnant and didn't want anyone to know till I knew 100% what I was doing.
Anyway I've had some time off work signed off from the doctor.. I had bleeding
I have decided to keep the baby.
I have heard someone at work as been asking everyone if I'm pregnant ... I've told one girl who I trust with my life .. and my managers...
Now i asked my manager how she knows and she said she will of just guessed?... I don't think so! So obviously that's annoyed me.. a breach of confidentiality

Anyway there was talk of me coming back to work and they wanted me to change departments .. which I really don't want to do.. why should I?..
I've asked if I could change my hours to earlier because I get severe morning sickness in the eveneing ... they said they'd look at it.. I get the bus (2 buses) and I don't want to be having to get off the bus at 8:30 at night to be sick and having to wait another half hour to get the next one ... so they offered me to finish an hour later than usual on a different department!!.. it's pointless I'm still in the same postion as before!..
Do I have to accept they can't change my hours..
They are open 24/7.. as it's a supermarket ? Or do I have rights at what's best for me ?

[DragonMamma]

You don't have the right to change your hours simply because you are pregnant and have morning sickness. It would be best practice to try and accommodate a temporary change in hours until it abates but if there's a business reason why they can't, then they don't have to.

Being pregnant gives you protection against discrimination but doesn't give you rights to have what suits you best, I'm afraid and it's simply not practical in a workforce where there may be many pregnant women at any one time.

[Bluebellevergreen]

My manager changed my hours because she is the best and my organisation have to be seen as family friendly.
But I dont think they are obligued to do so

[unfortunateevents]

You can't assume that because someone has been asking if you are pregnant, that it is a breach of confidentiality. In fact, if anyone had told your coworkers, she would be telling, not asking. It is unfortunately pretty common that when women of child-bearing age suddenly go off sick and there isn't an explanation of cold/bad back/D&V etc forthcoming that someone is always going to assume it is pregnancy-related!

[VocalDuck]

Ask your employer to do a risk assessment (they have to by law) and bring up all your concerns then. They should be able to look at what they can and can't accommodate to make work easier for you but they are under no obligation if business needs means it is not suitable for them.

[LottieL]

I mentioned feeling sick once at work, before I knew I was pregnant. My lady colleague asked outright, "could you be pregnant?" Tested and I was. It's easy to guess!

[Cloeycat]

You are 12 weeks now so it is reasonably likely that your sickness will ease off in the coming weeks (I know this doesn't always happen) but considering this is the norm does it really make sense to change your hours now? Remember later in your pregnancy you will be exhausted or might have other struggles.

Also I wouldn't assume it's a breach of confidentiality if your coworker is asking. If she is asking then she doesn't know she is just guessing?

[7SunshineSeven7]

I've told one girl who I trust with my life How many times have I heard that one?

She doesn't have to keep it a secret (even if you want her to) and as others have said, the other girl is just asking, not telling. Its unreasonable for you to expect them to change your hours because you are pregnant. You can ask but they can say no so you'll just have to lump it.

[user1470244422]

Wow I don't expect them to have to
I never said they had too that's the reason I asked.
Thanks for your replies

[user1470244422]

The reason I was asking about the hours change wasn't just because I'm pregnant it's because my severe sickness btw.