am i being unreasonable to expect work to be reasonable during pregnancy

[l1ttlebean]

sorry if this thread has already been covered...... but ... i have been a bit unwell with pregnancy. i have chrones and i have lots of internal problems with me lady bits too - i had ivf and was v v v lucky to concive on the second attempt - however since i returened to school (work) in September i was taken off my meds and of course i became v ill. long story short i have been off for nearly 6 months as a stitch was being considered (and still is - final appointment next week). I have contacted work numerous times since being off and have either not been replied to via email or i have got a one/two word text. None of my work collegues have contacted me during time off (thought i had some work 'friends' after 8 yrs!) and now i am due back to work at end of Jan and i am having a major wobble about going back. I really dont like the place anymore and i am also worried about being put in a position of doing something that will put extra pressure on the preganancy, there is no duty of care left in the place. I used to love my job and i think i was good at it - however they have now made me belive that i am inadequate :( - is it hormones or .........

You only have to pay back the contractual maternity pay if specified in the contract/maternity policy. You do not have to pay back SMP

also check out your rights regarding being paid for your annual leave that has accrued while off sick and also for annual leave that will accrue during your maternity leave

It sounds like its messy (change of staff/ leadership) rather than malicious. Along with not wanting to 'harrass' you and people not wanting to pry into your situation too much.
I'm sure when you go back people will be pleased to see you.
Pregnancy related issues are difficult to discuss as people don't want to pressure you into divulging information you don't want to give and don't want to put their feet it their mouths.

Cant speak about the official bits but can say as part of a team with someone on long term sick we were told not to contact the member as it would have been seen as harnessing her to come back. We got a lovely card and flowers together which we werent allowed to give as management was worried it go against them, although everyone on management was very supportive and understanding to her. They could only contact her when she contacted them. She had ms and was having a very hard time. Maybe your friends at work had similar restrictions given to them. Xxx

No one makes you believe anything. We all choose how we react and what we believe. They are not a cult trying to control your mind paychologically ao let's not get into exaggeration or blame.

You don't sound as if you want to go back other than for financial benefit. They owe you nothing except that they follow whatever employment practices they are bound by. In an Academy, that is probably very minimal. Academies often choose not to follow the practices local authority schools have to follow in terms of staff pay and conditions. They often do not recognise unions and won't negotiate or work with them at all. They show very little care for staff because they are businesses run by companies. The staff they employ who have never worked in a maintaned school accept tha and it affects the culture of the whole work environment as they end up with staff in it for money and not much else.

Anyway, rant about academies over. If tha is the situaion, ACAS and Unison are not likey to be any help to you unless you want to claim for constructive dismissal or discrimination because of your pregnancy. I doubt you would have much evidence for that.

Either write to the Chair of Governors and CC the Headteacher, maing a complant, explainng what has happened, what your evidence is and how you would like it resolved.

Or, leave.

Can't see you have much other choice really. Having given birth two days ago, I know it feels very hard emotionally when things get tough. I work in a school- a lovely, caring school- but the truth is once someone is off they are forgotten about quickly and it is irritating that their job has to be covered- however much they are liked. No member of staff is irreplaceable and everyone who leaves a school is quickly forgotten.

Yes, SuggestmeaUsername that's the maternity leave I was referring to.

And OP, to add to what people have said: when someone went off sick for 3 months we weren't allowed to contact either, the management worried that even a 'how are you' would read as harassment so we couldn't contact but someone should be emailing you back- the highest line manager.

Except rather iffy contact I'm not sure there's anything there is anything for a union to act on. Have you text or rang any of the people you work with? My bestie whom I work with was on long term sick, I didn't want to keep texting her or ring her incase she ain't up to it so I waited for her to contact me.

Going back after being if for a while can be very nerve wracking, worse than being a new starter as you know the people buy feel out of the loop. Make allowances for you feeling like this, it's natural, and you'll feel better once you feel back in the loop. Have you thought about using some annual leave to enable you to go back part-time?

Also my friend found it helpful to arrange to pop in and see us at lunchtime before she came back to help settle her nerves and confirm stuff with the boss