AIBU for wanting to work from home on snow day (pregnant)

AWholeNewWorls · 2022-12-12T07:41:07+00:00

I'm 25 weeks pregnant with my first DH and just worried I'll slip outside. I have a 20min walk to the tune station on either side. AIBU for wanting to work from home? For context, I've been working from home for the past 6 weeks and today was supposed to be my first day in the office just to say hello before the holidays, and I was hoping to come in to the office once a week. (Working from home because of pregnancy symptoms which are finally being managed by a whole bunch of medicines).

Original poster

AWholeNewWorls · 12/12/2022 07:43

*tube station sorry

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Guitarbar · 12/12/2022 07:45

Yanbu, have you spoken to your manager? As well as the risk of a slip, often services are affected in this weather and realistically you probably don't want to risk being stuck in London waiting for hours to get home. It sounds like your job can be done effectively from home, it would be unreasonable of them to get funny about it- if they do just go off sick tbh and it doesn't count as you're pregnant. It's only a really small slither of your working life that you're pregnant, have to put yourself and baby first.

LlynTegid · 12/12/2022 07:45

A reasonable request I would say.

ladydimitrescu · 12/12/2022 07:45

Is it particularly heavy snow where you are? I'm in a small town and it's all clear here!

Doveyouknow · 12/12/2022 07:48

Well most tube lines are part suspended / running with severe delays so it's probably not worth walking to the tube station. Why not just rearrange to go in later in the week?

Original poster

AWholeNewWorls · 12/12/2022 07:48

ladydimitrescu · 12/12/2022 07:45

Is it particularly heavy snow where you are? I'm in a small town and it's all clear here!

From what I can see from my balcony (I'm in an apartment block) very few people are walking down the road, some slipping - it looks icy/slippery and the pavements are covered but the snow itself isn't that heavy anymore.

OP posts:

Original poster

AWholeNewWorls · 12/12/2022 07:49

Doveyouknow · 12/12/2022 07:48

Well most tube lines are part suspended / running with severe delays so it's probably not worth walking to the tube station. Why not just rearrange to go in later in the week?

I have three medical appointments Tuesday to Thursday which means I need to work from home on those days :(

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thelobsterquadrille · 12/12/2022 07:49

If you can work from home as normal then that's what I'd do.

No point risking your baby's health just to show your face in the office.

Original poster

AWholeNewWorls · 12/12/2022 07:49

Guitarbar · 12/12/2022 07:45

Yanbu, have you spoken to your manager? As well as the risk of a slip, often services are affected in this weather and realistically you probably don't want to risk being stuck in London waiting for hours to get home. It sounds like your job can be done effectively from home, it would be unreasonable of them to get funny about it- if they do just go off sick tbh and it doesn't count as you're pregnant. It's only a really small slither of your working life that you're pregnant, have to put yourself and baby first.

About to email them and feeling worried.

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MrsSkylerWhite · 12/12/2022 07:50

Perfectly reasonable in your circumstances. Baby/your safety take priority.

Guitarbar · 12/12/2022 07:51

Honestly don't feel worried just be confident. Say due to the weather I will be working from home, then reiterate meetings all fine remotely or whatever.

SeenAndNot · 12/12/2022 07:51

YANBU. It’s unlikely services will be running normally anyway. You and baby’s safety come first

LIZS · 12/12/2022 07:52

Can you offer to go in a bit later? Take a bus to tube?

JenniferBarkley · 12/12/2022 07:53

YANBU at all if it's possible to wfh. I'm not a worrier but I was terrified walking on icy footpaths when pregnant.

MakeWayMoana · 12/12/2022 07:53

Hi manager,
I’ve woken up feeling a bit poorly this morning, and combined with the rail disruptions and the snow I’m going to work from home today. Sorry for the late notice, I was looking forward to coming in to see everyone but I don’t think it’s a good idea today - I’m hoping to come in next Monday instead.
Hope that’s ok.
@AWholeNewWorls

I tend to find stuff like this easier by just telling the person what I’m going to do, rather than asking - makes it harder for them to say no 🤣

MichelleScarn · 12/12/2022 07:55

ladydimitrescu · 12/12/2022 07:45

Is it particularly heavy snow where you are? I'm in a small town and it's all clear here!

Its -5° here and I won't be setting foot outside, also pregnant and worried about falls, lucky you to have it clear!

Original poster

AWholeNewWorls · 12/12/2022 08:00

MakeWayMoana · 12/12/2022 07:53

Hi manager,
I’ve woken up feeling a bit poorly this morning, and combined with the rail disruptions and the snow I’m going to work from home today. Sorry for the late notice, I was looking forward to coming in to see everyone but I don’t think it’s a good idea today - I’m hoping to come in next Monday instead.
Hope that’s ok.
@AWholeNewWorls

I tend to find stuff like this easier by just telling the person what I’m going to do, rather than asking - makes it harder for them to say no 🤣

Thank you so much for the draft, that's very useful.

Thank you to everyone for the replies too, that's really reassuring.

My work is really easily done remotely but the poll is totally split and 'm feeling nervous.

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BarbaraofSeville · 12/12/2022 08:09

If your job can be done remotely and you've been doing exactly that, and you're somewhere the weather is bad today (it's not everywhere, but it's affecting London, so of course, the sky is falling in), then anyone with half a brain would WFH, pregnancy or not. It's not even a question.

You just long and WFH. You'll probably find that most people at your workplace are doing the same, so wouldn't be there even if you did go in. You can go in Friday, or next Monday, but going in today would be silly.

Mindymomo · 12/12/2022 08:12

I think anyone who can work from home for whatever reason should do when the weather is bad.

piedbeauty · 12/12/2022 08:24

Most of the tubes are having delays this morning so wfh is sensible.

I'm not sure about staring at home just because you're pregnant though - what if you lived in a country that has snow and ice for months every year? You couldn't just stay home then...

piedbeauty · 12/12/2022 08:25

But if you have been wfh for 6 weeks due to pg symptoms, I'd stay at home today and go into the office when the weather is better. One more day won't make much difference.

Original poster

AWholeNewWorls · 04/02/2023 10:15

I wanted to update this, turned into a somewhat self fulfilling prophecy.

I did slip on an icy pavement a couple of weekends ago and it was equal parts painful and scary. I fell forward and instinctively held my belly to shield it but of course that meant I landed on my face 🤦🏾‍♀️ thankfully baby was not hurt and my face was a bit bloody and swollen but otherwise ok.

I phoned 111 and as baby was 30+ weeks they wanted me to go to my own maternity triage or A&E. I wasn't near home and wasn't carrying my maternity notes so my visit it A&E was a bit tricky in that they had to do a bunch of additional tests to fill in the blanks that they may have known had I had my maternity notes on me.

Anyway, my learnings are to be vigilant on icy and slippery roads, my balance really is off. I really don't remember the last time I fell prior to this. And also, must carry my notes with me wherever I go! Please stay safe ladies!

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BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 04/02/2023 11:09

AWholeNewWorls · 04/02/2023 10:15

I wanted to update this, turned into a somewhat self fulfilling prophecy.

I did slip on an icy pavement a couple of weekends ago and it was equal parts painful and scary. I fell forward and instinctively held my belly to shield it but of course that meant I landed on my face 🤦🏾‍♀️ thankfully baby was not hurt and my face was a bit bloody and swollen but otherwise ok.

I phoned 111 and as baby was 30+ weeks they wanted me to go to my own maternity triage or A&E. I wasn't near home and wasn't carrying my maternity notes so my visit it A&E was a bit tricky in that they had to do a bunch of additional tests to fill in the blanks that they may have known had I had my maternity notes on me.

Anyway, my learnings are to be vigilant on icy and slippery roads, my balance really is off. I really don't remember the last time I fell prior to this. And also, must carry my notes with me wherever I go! Please stay safe ladies!

I slipped and fell hard on sheet ice when I was 22 weeks pregnant with DC1. I was walking to work at the time - ExP was abusive and refused to pay for a cab for me (he controlled the money).

It was terrifying. A man saw me fall from his house window and he came straight out to help me up, and he very kindly drove me to hospital to get the baby checked out. Luckily all was fine, but the panic was all-consuming!

I'm glad all is well OP x