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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect my arse of an employer to provide me with a toilet as I am pregnant.

46 replies

tictacto · 17/01/2008 12:32

Having gone back to work following ML I am in a new location which is not yet finished.

The facilities are pretty dire even if you weren't pregnant. You have to climb uo two flights of stairs which are rough concrete and so bad and uneven that your feet catch as you walk- there is no natural light, no handrail (which is safe)at best if you lost your footing you would break bones at worst who knows. None of the other staff are happy about using the space but they won't speak out. I've had to because I am pregnant again, peeing like a drunk fish and have suffered form dizzy fainty spells since.

My employers have said there is no money to refit the stairs and have told me that I have permission to leave the building to use the public loos (which are a 5 minute walk away and mank- when I used them one time none of the loos had seats and there were turds on the floor- nice) However we have a rule in place which means that no single member of staff is allowed to be in the building alone. Anyone who does this would get the sack for endangering their collegues (oh the irony )

I have not gone in today and have told them that I will return when the stairs are fixed. They have responded by telling me that I am breeching my contract in my refusal to return, I in turn have expressed my concern that they too are breeching thier contract in providing me with a safe place to work.

It is so bad that I almost considered peeing in a bloody plastic cup rather than crap myself going upstairs.[pardon the pun emoticon]

I hope there is someone here who can advise me. My dh just goes through the roof with anger and has insisted I go to the press if they cause a fuss.

It's awful, I feel really sidelined and very worried especially as i have only recently returned and had to tell my employers I am pregnant again

OP posts:
tictacto · 17/01/2008 13:45

Ok So I am stuffed then as far as I am concerned. They can get me to clean the bogs then?

Flowery they are saying that there is no maoney left to finish it whilst my boss is asking me to help choose the exec leather furniture she'll have in her office and the furnishings she's going to buy for her suite

They cannot be arsed I am sad to say.

I appreciate the feddback.

OP posts:
loler · 17/01/2008 13:48

An improvement notice from HSE would help them to 'find' the money!

tictacto · 17/01/2008 13:49

Yes. You are right. Ok. Going to get onto it straight away.

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 17/01/2008 13:51

Well I wouldn't say cleaning the bogs was suitable either, but basically if they are unable to make your job safe somehow, they can get you doing something else that is.

Don't panic just yet. Write a letter as mentioned, with all your evidence and I'd phone the HSE as loler said as well. See what happens with both of those actions. It may be that if the HSE visit they insist on changes being made anyway (as I can't imagine that building is suitable for anyone, not just pregnant employees, and they can't get everyone stuffing envelopes or cleaning toilets).

Try that first and see how you get on.

tictacto · 17/01/2008 13:54

Yes. ta

OP posts:
tissy · 17/01/2008 14:15

surely, the placement of a nice clean portaloo just outside your building would be a cheap and easy way of remedying the situation for all the employees?

bubblepop · 17/01/2008 14:24

agree with tissy. but the stair situation, in your condition, does'nt sound good tbh. neither does your employer

Scramble · 17/01/2008 14:26

The H&S issues of having an unsafe stairs is the main point, the stairs should be safe for everyone not just you, so relocating you isn't the correct solution.

Scramble · 17/01/2008 14:27

"the provision and maintenance of a working environment for his employees that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risks to health, and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work. "

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

tictacto · 17/01/2008 16:48

Thanks for that scramble. I know and there contract clearly states that they will ensure my work place is safe

I heard from a colleague today that they have (better sit down this is piss worthy) looked into buying a crash/bike helmet and padded vest for me to wear.

Hmmm yep. ok.

OP posts:
NeitherUseNorOrnament · 17/01/2008 16:51

tictacto - I have been following this thread today and I am very sorry but...
...PMSL at the bike helmet and vest

That is completely rediculous

(Though it does mean that they seem to be admitting that the stairs are not safe)

tictacto · 17/01/2008 16:53

Yes that's what I thought.

Glad you are PYSL I should show them this thread and blank out all the name calling on my part ahem.

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 17/01/2008 16:58

PMSL at helmet and vest.

Well that means they accept it's not a suitable environment anyway, even if their 'adjustment' is utterly ridiculous!

Squiffy · 17/01/2008 17:17

I think crash helmets and padded vests should be compulsory wear for all pregnant women and not just poor tictac - after all you never know when you might get a dizzy spell. Think of all the benefits - you can sneak a support belt on underneath with no-one noticing, people won't have to do all the guesswork before offering you a seat on the tube, no need to spend a fortune on maternity wear, and you can hide all that greasy, not-allowed-to-bleach hair.

Perfect.

Best not be a full face helmet though, in case that morning sickness creeps up unannounced.

tictacto · 17/01/2008 19:35

Thanks Squiff, that really did make me laugh

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 17/01/2008 20:18

It's kind of unfair to make you PYSL, under the circumstances...

cmotdibbler · 17/01/2008 20:27

Are you a union member ? If so, call them and tell them your situation - am sure that they'd get things moving pretty quickly. In fact if you aren't, choose a union and join them just for this, its what they are there for.
Am shocked and appalled by the unsafe conditions that you are being exposed to.

MsHighwater · 17/01/2008 22:37

tictacto, if the building really isn't finished after being built/renovated, how could it have a Building Warrant completion certificate? If it doesn't have a completion certificate, it is illegal for it to be occupied by anyone, pregnant or not.

tictacto · 18/01/2008 10:20

Having gone in this morning I have walked out and told them until the works are complete I will not return.

My boss actually said to me that I was expected to wear the helmet (it is a normal cycle helmet, nothing else)to go up and because they had printed a disclaimer on the door to the hall saying "The stairs are uneven please walk with caution" this covers them WTF?

I left by saying that my photos would be sent to the HSE if they wanted to pursue it further.

Wil await further communication from them. This has made me want to walk anyway so I feel I have nothing to lose.
Mhighwater- all of the front of the building and been refurbed, the facilities for the public are exceptional the back has been left untouched. It's alike a warehouse store and as I described earlier. don't know if the building warrant completion certificate has been given but I guess it would be fab to bring this up.
Wow I love Mumsnet, this has really given me the confidence to stand up to them.

thanks all.

OP posts:
milliec · 18/01/2008 11:35

Message withdrawn

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 18/01/2008 12:03

Can you see your GP and get signed off with stress while this is being sorted out so then at least they can't "do you" for not biegn at work?

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