To take time off work for exhaustion?

[SeiaShore]

I have a hybrid role and feel fine and functional on the WFH days but whenever I have been into the office I am subsequently exhausted, and it takes me easily 48 hours to feel like I have energy again.

I’m getting enough sleep, eating plenty, prenatal vitamins have iron in them and my bloods have always come back fine for iron levels.

I feel more tired than I felt in the first trimester, and it’s the kind of heavy-fatigue physically don’t want to get off the sofa kind of feeling.

Next week I’m due to be in Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and I’ve also been working this morning as short notice cover. I feel wiped. They will probably think I’m being cheeky if I ask to WFH more so I’m not sure that’s an option. Would you take time off in this situation? I don’t go on maternity leave until October so aware I might feel more tired than this yet!

If you did this morning as short notice cover, maybe you say that as payback you'll only come in to 2 of the days next week as you are beginning to find it difficult.
If they don't agree, then by all means take a few days sick if you don't feel well enough to to work, and make sure that your flexibility for doing cover matches theirs. If they are not prepared to be flexible, absolutely don't continue to provide the cover.

I do cover a lot of weekends which does mean some weeks I do 6 days. It’s what I’ve always done, but I think it might have become expected of me. Some colleagues do too but I definitely do the joint brunt of it. I love my career and have loads of enthusiasm for it but I am noticing I definitely don’t have the energy I used to have. I always feel nervous about advocating for myself and speaking up though, sometimes it feels easier to get on with it if you know what I mean?

Can You let work know you are only going to be able to do 5 days a week from now on? Having an extra day off will help a lot with your energy levels.

They don’t have anyone who could step in for me in some areas so it would mean cancelling some services, not sure how well that would go down

I want to save my annual leave, I know you can take unpaid leave but don’t know if that’s really a thing people do. There is also obviously sick leave

Their staffing needs and arrangements are their business, not yours. If you have real concerns that services might have to be cancelled, then tell them as soon as possible that you are not longer able to provide cover due to exhaustion. They can then start looking at alternatives. They are going to have to manage while you are on maternity leave, so they may as well start training someone up/taking on someone else sooner rather than later. It's not your problem.

I agree that their staffing/resources are their issue but I also understand you feeling keen to help with that. Running yourself into the ground isn't going to be any good for anyone though.

Have you done a risk assessment for your workplace yet?

I had bad hg and later bad pgp. My workplace allowed me to wfh on the really bad days and for me to call it that morning because obviously I'd no real way of knowing what I'd feel like. When I developed pgp they also allowed me to work more from home so I could reduce my driving which was flaring it up.

I think you have a conversation with your manager/hr worker and say that you're struggling with pregnancy related exhaustion and could you look at adjustments to your role (mine were reviewed monthly) to help you manage better?

They should be willing to make reasonable adjustments for you and to me, but expecting you to do overtime and maybe reducing your days in the office to one would be a good compromise. The earlier you tell them the better so they can try to source cover.

It’s something they are going to have to deal with. You are going on maternity leave in a couple of months and presumably won’t be doing 6 days a week with a baby. You also won’t be doing it if you go on sick leave.

You may feel more tired than this but equally you may feel better. If you can manage on sick pay definitely take the time you need. Growing a baby is hard work