Work asking me to see violent patient while pregnant

[Kitely]

Since I got pregnant work haven’t been great. My two managers have never been pregnant as sadly both have infertility. I was warned that they’re not particularly supportive of pregnant colleagues but I hadn’t seen evidence of this.
I won’t be too identifying but my job involves direct work with patients and also holding a ‘caseload’.
I work three days a week and after going down to part time my caseload didn’t reduce. Infact it got bigger. It’s totally unmanageable at the level it is. Suggested safe caseloads are less than half I have.
I was off for a month with horrendous vomiting. When I returned I received no support checking I was okay.
A 5 minute pregnancy risk assessment was done. It’s so basic and doesn’t include anything on travel which is a basic aspect of the job.
It does state I’m not to work with violent patients.

So far this month I’ve been asked to do the following I’m not comfortable with:
Asked to assess someone out of area meaning I’d be on trains from 9am-9pm except for two hours during the assessment. I’d be utterly exhausted.

Asked to assess a patient who is violent. He spits at staff, throws items, punished walls. He has done this as recently as this morning.

Asked to assess a patient who has criminal convictions for beating up his pregnant girlfriend

Given an extra 5 cases all needing urgent reviews.

So: I immediately questioned the guy who beat up his girlfriend and they reluctantly had to remove him from my caseload as it went against my risk assessment.

I asked about the other violent patient but was told he has a learning disability so it’s not deliberate and also he doesn’t do ‘anything more than throw cups or his handheld cd player at people/ spit at people’. So therefore that’s okay!

The 9am-9pm travel I was told I would be able to rest on the train so not too stressful (not mentioning the walk to the bus, getting on a tram to the location, walking back to the train station etc). It’s an arduous day.

The 5 cases needing reviewing I just decided to push myself to do as I hadn’t had a positive response regarding other concerns. It was a long day but I managed it.

I know there’s a range of options available to me (simply refusing, taking the issue to higher management, getting union involved etc).

I have long before pregnancy had concerns regarding unreasonable caseloads and expected work level. I am thinking of not returning to work after maternity as this level of work won’t be feasible with a baby to look after.

I am struggling in pregnancy with exhaustion. Doctors say it’s totally normal which is true but makes working so much more challenging. I just wish they could understand that and give me work accordingly. My Doctor has offered to sign my off sick the entire pregnancy but I’d not do that as if I need to return I’m worried it would make my life harder when returning.

So before I get assertive and refuse some of these tasks. My AIBU is this, and be honest. I won’t be offended.

Am I being a bit unreasonable not wanting to do the above tasks expected of me? I’m talking specifically about the very long day of travelling and working with the violent patient? I’m worried I’m being precious. I don’t want to take this further if I’m being unreasonable. I just feel exhausted and anxious.
I am 26 weeks pregnant.

Idiots?! Bloody hell it is a good job the vast majority of pregnant women can manage to carry on and work. 12 hours travelling horrendously exhausting and nerve wracking? Give over!

YANBU. I wouldn't want to deal with violent people, pregnant or not. Do staff have to be alone with them?

@Fedupofdiets

Yes pregnancy itself isn't an illness but it can itself cause certain conditions/illnesses.
Most women with a healthy pregnancy will suffer minor ailments, some will be very unwell.
My sister had hyperemisis for 2 and had to be hospitalised most of her pregnancy on a drip, I had spd and struggled to walk, plus couldn't go more than 30mim without access to a toilet. Theres gestational diabetes etc.

We need to accept that pregnant women may need certain adjustments made to their working conditions..is that really so hard to ask for a few months?!

Your manager sounds jealous & bitter!! Just refuse... If she starts disciplinary proceedings then you can involve ACAS

No risk assessment has been done on the visit

Go off sick and stay off sick. Have a long mat leave. Life may well be different that far down the line when you return.

My daughter was like you and wanted to comply 100% during her 1st pregnancy. She worked up to 32 weeks - (and only part time but had alot of walking, driving and going from one building site to another).
She was so tired but was going to have 6 weeks off before her due date. She gave birth her first day off, 6 weeks early. Baby was 3 days shy of being officially premature and weighed only 2.2 kg ! They both had all kinds of problems. She was furious that she let herself be pushed so hard. Though even she likes to push herself .

But this is not the time to be overdoing it Op!! So don't let them push you beyond what you know is reasonable. You and your baby come first . Too bad what your managers think. Take the time off you need. You will be glad you did. No need to be a saint, a hero, or even pleasant.

Happy nesting!

I am SO tempted

Get signed off sick until you are 36 weeks and then start maternity leave.
They have to take you back after maternity to the same/similar role dependent on how long you take. Take a year if you can.
These managers will not think any more of you for struggling through. If you get signed off sick, they will roll their eyes, that's the worst they can do.

I'm not "triggered" thank you (what a peculiar thing to suggest)... but yes, it is right there in the OP:

My two managers have never been pregnant as sadly both have infertility. I was warned that they’re not particularly supportive of pregnant colleagues

As the post is written, it implies that their lack of supportiveness is directly related to their infertility. It's a tired old trope, one which is often seen on these boards. See a later poster suggest that the managers are jealous & bitter!!

We should highlight when this kind of language is being used, just as we highlight ageist or ableist language. These kinds of things are often 'hidden,' until someone points it out.

Yes but that's not the main focus is it @Decaffe. I think you've been distracted by a tiny detail.

You’ve completely misinterpreted that actually.
I was suggesting they may be less sympathetic as they haven’t experienced pregnancy themselves so don’t know how hard it it and would therefore find it harder to empathise. Not that they hate pregnant women as they’re infertile!

Saying that, I have met many women who have never been pregnant who are very sympathetic and male managers can be great regarding pregnancy.
But not experiencing something yourself CAN make you less sympathetic to the plight of others.
It is well documented that these two managers are unpleasant towards pregnant employees. No one knows the exact reason why this is.

I haven't read your whole thread. But I don't know really. I'm pregnant. I'm a HCP. I work in an environment where almost every patient is violent and aggressive or has a history of this. My risk assessment is clear in that I can no longer see anyone alone, as I can't be expected to do the usual breakaway techniques when pregnant. I'm happy with that- the only other option would be to redeploy me non patient facing which I don't want.
Is the issue the lack of a robust and clear risk assessment? I think it's fair to get a really detailed assessment covering a range of potentials. However my view is that I chose my job, I know the people I deal with and I chose to be pregnant therefore my duty doesn't just stop there. There are a couple of areas I can blanket no longer do according to our policies (e.g. lone working at night) and where colleagues have to pick up that work I am very happy to pick up stuff from them. It's all a bit of give and take.
Saying that, my department head sounds much more sympathetic than yours do

Don't be distracted by moronic nit picking that invariably happens on threads.

You are very vulnerable.

Start emailing your concerns.

12 hour days with travelling is not on.

Get a sick note and put your baby first.

I had great pregnancy and was very fit but movement is restricted and if you need to get out fast, you would be very vulnerable.

I think you need to accept they want to use you, exploit you, don't care about you or your baby, and start boxing clever by going on early leave.

This is awful. I read your OP expecting it to be another overly precious pregnant woman moaning that their manager is expecting them still to do their usual work when they're exhausted etc... but what you have written is horrendous. I can't believe that they originally put you down to see someone who has a history of beating up pregnant women. Of course you shouldn't be working with violent people when pregnant. I'd be appalled.

The other stuff I'm a bit confused about...is travel and 12-hour shifts a normal part of your job or not? If not, I can see why you're angry if that'ssuddenly been landed on you. But if so, what is the issue? If you are unable to do it for medical reasons, have you requested specific adjustments to your role...?

I agree, a really clear and robust risk assessment is key.

I absolutely agree with this…. Heavily suggested the managers are singling out a pregnant lady due to her fertility. I.e…. Bitter, jealous old crones (even suggested by OP)

as soon as it’s an issue between someone who is pregnant and someone who has fertility issues this happens and it’s disgusting.

they may be in the wrong but it’s unfair on everyone who has had issues with infertility to drag their reproductive status into it

Speak to HR.

Make sure you state you were warned that management have previous for treating pregnant colleagues poorly.

Also state that your doctor wanted to put you on the sick but you refused as you are worried about the reception you'd get on return to work.

Attach the pregnancy assessment, your caseload and highlight guidelines on safe numbers of cases p/staff member.

Time to start standing up for yourself, OP.

If it is a local authority, they should have an occupational health department, self refer to them, in my authority no one over rules occupational health, what they say goes.

The 9-9 day I don't think is unreasonable but the violent people, not a chance in hell would i be dealing with that while pregnant!

@Kitely you didn't answer my question about accessing occupational health. That would be the obvious place to start.

OP first of all I'd check your mat pay situation. You need to know exactly how/when it's calculated or when/if you'd go on statutory mat pay. This is step number 1.

If you can be signed off now and it won't affect your mat pay then just do it. Don't feel guilty. It's for your and your baby's health.

If you need to work to a certain week, then you'll need to do that. If so, can you take flexi with the 9-9 so you work 4hrs less the next day? Assuming you can't get out if it. And I agree that the reason/intentions behind why a person is violent is irrelevant, the fact they're violent is the problem. Plus, some people can find pregnant women triggering and behave more erratically.

There are always women who have worked harder than you when you're pregnant. Then there are the ones who give birth in a field and carry on with their work picking tea (or something - it's actually very rare) who we're held up against. The fact is that every body that is growing and carrying the little human is different, has a different history and different reactions to pregnancy. So if Janice worked as a nurse up until 36 weeks, good for her. If she was happy about that, even better - for her. But she's not you. You know what's right for you. You need to not doubt yourself, there's nothing wrong with your intuition, and stand up for yourself. Get union support if necessary - better still get signed off. Loads of options.

I pushed on in a pregnancy and ended up on bed rest for 12 weeks because the stress left my baby vulnerable. I pushed in because I didn't fully understand the risk and thought I had no alternative.

Listen to yourself. So what if you're being precious (I don't think you are btw)? You've every right to prioritise your health over work.

What's sad about this thread is how badly so many women have been treated by their work place (entirely not their fault) and then think that because they suffered, other women should too.

Thank you for that! I got told to reread it sou did but yep, it’s not been said by OP. Why would you respond like this? She’s 26 weeks pregnant and feeling anxious ffs.

But maybe that is the reason? I had an infertile manager two decades ago and when a colleague got pregnant he didn't speak to her for the next seven years! It was ridiculous.