Pregnant - work changing

[hpprincess]

I was dreading telling work I was pregnant as we are a small team and have some important work on that will carry on until next year. I will be due to go off around December time. Got a frosty reception on the phone from senior manager followed by an email saying you caught me off guard and I was distracted, congrats etc and finishes by saying we will obviously be taking you off the work you have been doing and give it to someone else. I don't want any stress for you or baby. Thanks for letting me know in advance so I can sort alternative arrangements.

I was stunned and can't believe she's done this. Is it even legal?? She's not consulted me about it. Iv not been stressed never mentioned the word, haven't taken any time off and haven't missed any deadline and got a glowing end of year review a month ago.

It's an office job and I'm working from home. I'm doing less work now than in my old job (same company diff department) I have never been more care free and less stressed about work ever. Until the email.

Is this discrimination?

Likely yes.

There are some exceptions. I had a work project that only one person was going to get a special certification to do some work that would take a year. It wasn’t just a matter of money, it was getting multiple agencies to agree, background checks, the approval process was insane. It was a really big deal that the person who got the certification had to commit to the full task because substituting someone was next to impossible. When I got diagnosed with cancer it wasn’t discrimination that my in-process certification was pulled and someone else got the opportunity. I physically wasn’t going to be able to do the whole job and it couldn’t be shared.

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I hope you're ok.

The work is pretty standard in that respect and doesn't require special knowledge etc. I'm new to the department and still learning the role anyway so it doesn't require expertise just someone there to do it as such. I fully expected someone to work alongside me on it now im pregnant as I know I will need cover when I'm off but there is no monetary issue with me and my colleague both doing parts. Colleague is very new so she has been doing other bits to learn the ropes. My own boss assured me Id still be doing the work and could pick it back up when I'm back. I know the work needs done I just thought I'd share it instead of being told I'm off it due to stress - stress I don't have!

Oh no, that was over 20 years ago. Cancer is long gone. I’m totally fine. Loving life and having a fabulous career.

I would tell them you don’t want to be removed from the project. Start with your immediate boss. I suspect the senior has not really thought this through (that sidelining the pregnant woman is not ok even if it makes managing the project easier) and a little push back from the right people will resolve the issue. I may be hopelessly optimistic because I have been blessed by a fabulously feminist boss, but hopefully yours will be on your side.

Hi, on the face of it it sounds off but I would suggest you go back to your manager and just ask her to clarify as your not clear why work would be taken off you at this stage, and what would you be doing instead. Then with that response you have a greater view as to whether they are discriminating or not. Lots of managers say things with good intentions because they aren't well trained.