Stress at work

[Ascom28]

Hey All. I will try to keep this brief and as best as I can but I'm so stressed out I'm not too sure what to do.

I work on a construction site dealing with the radio side of things. It involves shifts of 2 weeks of days 12 hour shifts and 2 weeks of nights 12 hour shifts.

Now after becoming pregnant it was clear that as the pregnancy progressed I would struggle with the hours and being an hour either side of starting and finishing work the hours would become too much.

My company came to my work place and sat down with me and performed a risk assessment and it was agreed that my hours would be lowered and if possible a more suitable role nearer home would be offered. I kind of felt like they were trying to push me towards saying I cant do the work so I would quit on my own accord.

That was a week ago so as I had heard nothing at all I decided to contact my company who informed me that they were still working on a risk assessment. Two weeks still nothing and still doing the driving and 12 hour shifts.

Sat morning I was involved in a crash on the way home from a night shift. My car is written off. I fell asleep. I feel bloody awfull as I should of pulled over and stopped but I was only 5 mins from home.

I contacted work again to say this needs to be resolved at a urgency as quite clearly I cannot cope with the hours. Still I wait. Is there anything I can do or is my best bet just to quit?

Many thanks

[NewIdeasToday]

I don't want to sound unsympathetic but why can't you work these hours just because you're pregnant?

[RoundTheBend]

My immediate reaction was the same as NewIdeasToday. A lot of women work 12 hours shifts even whilst pregnant. I did up until 38 weeks.

How pregnant are you? Do you have sickness?

I think you sound really unhappy about working fullstop. If that is the case, be kind to yourself and just quit.

[Ascom28]

Just tiredness. It does take its toll and working a 14 hour day on a construction site does take it out of you

[RoundTheBend]

How many days a week do you work?

[lamprey42]

Mental and physical fatigue is specifically listed as a risk employers should consider in the assessment for pregnant employees www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm#q4 . Sounds like they have identified this as a risk in the initial assessment and your crash would prove the point. Are you in a union? Citizen's advice might be worth trying too. I know pregnancy isn't an illness but I was really sick and tired in my first trimester - no way I could have worked 14 hour days.

[daisychain01]

I don't want to sound unsympathetic but why can't you work these hours just because you're pregnant?

That is unsympathetic. Shift work is knackering even when not pregnant ffs. And each woman's response to carry a baby both physically and psychologically is different.

[Sugarlumps333]

You need to sort urgent op - that is awful you crashed, you must have been terrified. And could have been a lot worse for you or someone else on the road. I was pregnant before (had to have a termination) but for first 3 months the tiredness knocked me out, it was literally overpowering deep dead sleep. No way in hell i could have worked 14 hour shifts and night shifts forget it.

[user1477282676]

Today some women feel hugely exhausted during pregnancy. They're not all the same you know.

[ArsenalsPlayingAtHome]

No advice sorry, not knowledgeable enough. But, just wanted to offer some support having read the unsympathetic responses.
I, for one couldn't physically have done what you're doing. The switching from night to day is exhausting in itself, 12 hour shifts, again exhausting. Throw pregnancy in, & 2 hours a day commuting....hope it's sorted soon. Don't quit, you'll surely use all your rights to maternity pay. Unless you can afford to quit, that is, otherwise see a union rep & get it resolved. Good luck!

[forgottenusername]

HSE webpage on risk assessments for pregnant workers
www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm

look at answers for 'A significant risk has been identified. What action needs to be taken?' and 'I’m concerned that my employer has failed to take appropriate action. What should I do?' that suggests you should speak to the company H&S representative / union for advice. I'd suggest their failure to adjust your working hours is a failure in their duty of care :(

Did you get checked out by a medical professional after the crash? I'd be very tempted to see the GP and ask about getting signed off until work can put some reasonable adjustments in place.

[gandalf456]

I could not have worked a 12 hour day shift when pregnant, never mind nights. At our work, our shifts were 9 hrs and Ifound that too much. Occupational Health had actually said I should be doing 8 and not on my feet for more than 5. The company honoured the 5 hr bit but ignored letting me go home early.

I can't believe people are questioning this thread, tbh. You are far more knackered during pregnancy even if it's a straightforward one!

[Jjade87]

Hi there I had to take up advice and end my current employment with a sick note if any notice was needed ( I don't have a contract apparently they never got round to writing one up) I was signed off due to work related stress as manager and staff were terrible with me when I stated in first instance I would be leaving had another job opportunity I would love to take. I am unsure what to now though as sick note covered me for if any further notice was required but have not heard nothing back and I have a start date with new employer which will over lap with sick notice. I only work part time and thought maybe I could start new job as I am off sick at other place due to stress so doesn't affect new place. Sorry if this is confusing trying to explain best I can.

[daisychain01]

jJade- May be best to start your own thread and explain your personal circumstances.

It isn't good form to hijack the OPs thread with your separate query. And it's confusing having 2 queries in one post.

At least you'll get specific advice relevant to you.

[QuackDuckQuack]

If you don't have a union to advise then go to your GP and either get signed off or get a fit note saying what you can do.