Really bloody depressed in my job but I'm pregnant

[BluueVelvett]

I'm not really sure what to do. I'm pregnant but I am so depressed in my job. I have two jobs and this is the lesser paying one, I've been there for six years and I've been unhappy for quite a while. It's a very bitchy environment, I'm younger than the rest of my team and I'm often made out to be less knowledgeable, and there is a group chat where I'll often get ignored or criticised. I don't enjoy my work anymore and things got really bad a couple of years ago when an employee got too drunk and verbally attacked me and became aggressive, and nothing was done about it. I felt really let down and disrespected then as I'd always been a loyal employee and thought I meant more to the office than that. I've been on the same wage and at the same level since the start and even when I've asked to train or be considered for higher positions I've been told no. As mentioned I'm pregnant and I'm really struggling, and it's just making me miserable being there. I won't get much maternity pay from them due to not having a contract (long story) either.

They've recently increased my work load and put me on things that I'm not as confident doing and I'm struggling to even concentrate on it all with my pregnancy fatigue.

I do have a second job which pays more that I would be able to do and still live and afford everything, but it would mean dropping a few hundred pounds a week if I left my other one. So I wouldn't have as much disposable income.

I want to be responsible and I don't want to be selfish and I want to be able to financially look after my baby, but my mental health is suffering.

What should I do?

Is there no way you can get more hours with your other job? Or after your maternity leave has finished.

No job is worth you MH. Sorry to hear your suffering. Can you stick it out at the office until you go on Maternity?

@stormy11 I'm going to see if it's possible but I'm not sure. I'm wondering if I can go on maternity earlier because I don't think I can last another 14 weeks of feeling like this. But I know loads of pregnant women work until their due date and that makes me feel like a failure.

First thing is to get yourself a contract sorted out. If they haven't issued one in that time then there is very much an implied one - but give ACAS a call and seek their input on that one to ensure it is correct given your position.

You are 14 weeks to due date so a little over 3 months. I think it is 11 weeks before due date before you can take maternity - but I am sure someone else will confirm/correct that... But I do know if you take your maternity from one job then you will need to do so at the other at the same time.

I'd try and stick it out for another couple of months if you can. Not because you need to keep up with anyone else but because you will want the time with your baby. You can also use that time to get your contract etc sorted. However nothing is worth your mental health and it might be worth a trip to the doctors to see if they can help with that - maybe sign you off for aa bit if it is that bad or give you specific instructions to take back to work.

Think about what you want to do when you go back to work - if you don't want to go back there factor that into your decisions.