Shocked by my managers attitude towards pregnancy

[Zingylimes]

I recently asked my line manager for advice for a colleague who had a medical appointment. They have to log the absence on the HR system and I was asking the best code/ticket to put it under. As far as I’m concerned it’s a non issue.

My line manager immediately got annoyed about my direct report, saying that we need to take a harder approach to medical appointments. They then sent me several screenshots of a chat they had been having about another junior colleague. In the screenshots it is clear that she is pregnant and has been requesting time off for doctor appointments. My line manager said he was annoyed that she expects allowances to be made for her.

I am completely shocked that he has breached her confidentiality in this way as I had no idea she was pregnant. I see her regularly and she has no bump nor has she mentioned it. I am currently ttc and it’s really made me upset that he has been so unprofessional about it. I would be very angry if he told my colleagues I was pregnant and especially in this way.

I work for a large organisation with a good HR department, colleagues who have DC or been pregnant have always said how supportive the company has been and this has really shocked me. AIBU to think this is a big breach of confidentiality and highly unprofessional?

Completely unprofessional and if he follows through with trying to 'clamp down' on genuine medical appointments for pregnancy, illegal

I wouldn't share the email (except to HR if necessary) — wouldn't that be a further breach of the junior colleague's confidentiality? I don't know the laws around that, but it seems wrong, ethically. Hopefully others here can advise. Definitely report this to HR though, it is shocking.

Should have mentioned in our final reply. Obviously redact name/ identifying details of the colleague.

*original

People like this are everything that is wrong with the workplace!

Massive breach of colleague’s privacy. She has shared pregnancy with her manager and possibly HR so she is legally protected as pregnancy is a protected characteristic. Any appointments related to her antenatal care are allowed, and she should not be restricted or penalised for attending them. I’d make it clear to your line manager that he needs to brush up on his outdated and illegal views of pregnancy in the workplace and the employees rights.

He’s going to get a big shock when he realises she’s allowed to take maternity leave AND will be eligible for maternity pay/allowance! He’s probably expecting her to shell baby like a pea then roll back into work.