Workload at Residential Home, I’m 20 weeks pregnant with serious leg cramp

[Bolakik]

Hello, I am 20 weeks pregnant but for the past 6 weeks I’ve been having a bad leg cramp day and night, i got a sickline for 2 weeks from my GP and I’m going back to work soon but I’m so scared because the workload is very much for me at work, we are really short staffed, i do so much of lifting, pushing people on the wheelchair, so much standing and i also work 12hours 4 days a week, i only sit down during my break which is 1hour out of 12… I’m really worried sick because its too much of work for me plus I’ve had many losses and infertility in the past and this is my first child. I really don’t know what to do and sorry for my typographical errors

Ask your work to carry out a specific risk assessment for you. They need to do that to ensure you're not being given unsuitable work.

@Justme2023123 my manager already did the risk assessment but it is still the same work as we are really short staffed, i was referred to the physiotherapist today because I couldn’t manage walking outside today and my DH had to assist as i was limping and in crucial pain and I’m really scared of losing my job

Go off sick again. You should not be doing moving and handling and your employer knows this. Is it a large home with HR or a small one?
Maybe contact pregnant then screwed about this?

Speak to Acas, EAS and HSE, whilst you are signed off sick.

you can't lose your job when you are pregnant unless you are agency staff or 0 contract hours

What exactly is the cause of your leg pain/cramp? I presume you have been checked for DVT etc?

I used to be a manager of a care home and did many a pregnancy risk assessement. Being short staffed is no excuse for you being put at risk especially with previous losses.

I'd agree with going off sick. You can't lose your job for being off sick for genuine reasons and pregnancy is a protected characteristic. Your work should be referring you to Occupational health in terms of moving and handling as well.

@Praying4Peace i already had blood clot screening which nothing was found but today the midwife told me it is sciatica

It sounds like you need to be signed off sick for longer, you can't possibly do a physical job if you can hardly walk.

If you have sciatica, you need to rest and not be involved in moving and handling.
As many others have said, you need to prioritise your wellbeing and the recommendations of the risk assessment shouldn't change because of staffing levels.
You need a medical certificate and physiotherapy (if prescribed)

@user2848502016 i will really like to but i don’t even know how to face my manager with more sick leave

@Praying4Peace i was referred to the physiotherapist already and this is weekend no one will be able to sign me off work till monday and I’m to go to work on sunday which I’m trying to figure out how i can cope because I’ve been limping but today seems to be worse when i was out

OP, you will need to phone work and explain. Then arrange for a retrospective sick certificate on Monday. Please take care of yourself.
You can't lose your job over this. Any reasonable minded person will understand.
Take care

I’ve called in sick for sunday and i will get a sickline on monday while waiting for the physiotherapist