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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Work/Manager Issue & C-Section

15 replies

Tink2007 · 14/03/2024 12:04

I had a Cat 1 Emergency C-Section 3 years ago. For the most part, my scar doesn’t bother me and I go about my day to day life. However, if I heavy lift something that is too heavy or heavy and awkward it makes it twinge and is sore for a couple of days. No actual issues apart from that, drs have said it’s fine.

I work in retail and when I applied for this job two years ago, I made it clear that I couldn’t do replenishment work or heavy lifting and was told neither of those things are in your job description and none of my managers team would be required to do that. All well and good.

Fast forward and the same manager who interviewed me and gave me the job (who is also my line manager) is insisting constantly taking me (and others) away from my role to replenish. Three weeks ago, I lifted a very heavy crate full of 1kg chicken thighs which amounts to about 16kg of chicken, pulled my scarring and was in some discomfort. Told my manger, she looked at me blankly as if to say I was making a fuss. The following week she asked me to do the same and I asked if it would be okay to not be taken away from my role as the soreness from the previous week had only just gone.

Her reply was “It’s only lifting some crates and boxes.” I replied that none of the crates or boxes were light and that it wasn’t in my job description to replenish anyway. She huffed off and took someone else away from their role instead.

She did it again this week. I went along with it as didn’t want to be seen to be causing a fuss but pulled a cage and done it again. I assume because I pulled it two weeks prior it’s made it tender again which has happened in the past but again, not frequently. I actually cried on shop floor because she just hadn’t listened to me and because it did hurt. One of my colleagues said enough is enough and took me to the office and said I couldn’t do replen because of XYZ and my manager was like “I don’t understand how you manage your normal
role” and looked at me like I was lying.

She made me feel like shit and like I was just making a fuss but the reality is if I do really hurt it rather than tweaking it I will end up signed off as sick.

Nothing wrong with the work I actually do in my own role, I am one of the best in the job. I like my job and have had no issues before.

My colleagues have said my manager should listen and stop putting me in that position but she just doesn’t listen at all.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 14/03/2024 12:06

Ask for an occupational health assessment.

Greybeardy · 14/03/2024 12:22

As above. Do you have to avoid picking up your child too (weight calculation formulas would make a 3 yr old ~16kg too)?

ilovesooty · 14/03/2024 12:24

RandomMess · 14/03/2024 12:06

Ask for an occupational health assessment.

Agreed. Are you in a union?

GinForBreakfast · 14/03/2024 12:25

YANBU but please do look into some gentle strengthening exercises and also some correct lifting techniques. I have a 10 month old hysterectomy scar so I do get it. But you need a certain level of functional fitness for a healthy and independent life.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 14/03/2024 12:27

forget the manager being an idiot but 3 years later your scar is completely healed inside and out. Have you thought about physio or seeing someone to strengthen your tummy muscles? you can't go through life worried about a c section scar

Mumofoneandone · 14/03/2024 12:27

Has line manager done correct risk assessments?
Can you have any medical note from your GP explaining your fitness abilities at work?

Tink2007 · 14/03/2024 12:32

Like I said for the most part, it doesn’t affect me and my life is normal. I definitely don’t live or worry about my scar on a daily basis however pulling cages and carrying/lifting heavy crates for an hour is what caused the issue this time. And it was something discussed at my interview so it wasn’t something that the manager was unaware of and I was told it wasn't something I would ever be required to do.

OP posts:
Tink2007 · 14/03/2024 12:33

Mumofoneandone · 14/03/2024 12:27

Has line manager done correct risk assessments?
Can you have any medical note from your GP explaining your fitness abilities at work?

I have approached the GP this morning and they said they are happy to issue me
with a note in regards to the heavy lifting. However one of my colleagues had an injury and the manager completely ignored the doctors note they had and still expected my
colleague to do things they weren’t able
to do.

OP posts:
Tink2007 · 14/03/2024 12:34

There has never been a risk assessment or an occupational health assessment.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 14/03/2024 12:36

Tink2007 · 14/03/2024 12:34

There has never been a risk assessment or an occupational health assessment.

Well that's what needs to be happening.

benjoin · 14/03/2024 12:37

Tink2007 · 14/03/2024 12:33

I have approached the GP this morning and they said they are happy to issue me
with a note in regards to the heavy lifting. However one of my colleagues had an injury and the manager completely ignored the doctors note they had and still expected my
colleague to do things they weren’t able
to do.

Get the doctors note. If asked to do it then say see the doctors note. If they still try and force you say you are happy to book in a meeting with HR to discuss

GinForBreakfast · 14/03/2024 15:30

OP, while you might think this might not be affecting your life please do consider how you move, your strength, especially your core strength, your balance and agility. You may be unconsciously shying away from certain activities to avoid pain and while it won't affect you while you are young, as you age it will be really important for independent living and falls prevention.

Can you mow your lawn? Put your bins out? Lift suitcases? Run for a bus? Walk up and down stairs without a handrail? Reach for things off high shelves?

GPs are great at many things but they don't tend to help people prevent future problems.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 14/03/2024 15:51

GinForBreakfast · 14/03/2024 15:30

OP, while you might think this might not be affecting your life please do consider how you move, your strength, especially your core strength, your balance and agility. You may be unconsciously shying away from certain activities to avoid pain and while it won't affect you while you are young, as you age it will be really important for independent living and falls prevention.

Can you mow your lawn? Put your bins out? Lift suitcases? Run for a bus? Walk up and down stairs without a handrail? Reach for things off high shelves?

GPs are great at many things but they don't tend to help people prevent future problems.

This is my point, millions have c sections and are still lifting and working manual jobs. I'd work on fixing the issue first and foremost

MartinsSpareCalculator · 14/03/2024 15:56

In fairness to your manager here, I think for most people that you'd had a c section 3 years ago wouldn't even factor into any form of consideration now. Why would it be on their radar? Women generally don't have c sections and are then rendered unable to do normal things as a result.

What are you doing to improve it? You can't possibly be happy living your life like this? You must not be able to pick up your child if such small weigh causes such profound issues?

EvaporatedHour · 14/03/2024 18:51

It all sounds very dramatic.

Also, what's with the thing on here now of everyone calling their bog standard job a 'role'?

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