What would you do - work/pregnancy

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

I start work at 9am, most of my office start at 9.30, however someone is almost always here by 9am. We have a reasonably heavy shutter to get into our office.

Before pregnancy I found it very diffcult and a little too heavy for me but could manage.

I am now 13 weeks pregnant. Work are aware.

I arrived this morning and shutter was closed. I was bang on time. I went to the toilet etc whilst waiting for someone and heard the shutter so came out and went in whereby my boss asks why I am late. I explained that I wasnt late but as he knows I have problems with the shutter and was waiting fro someone to arrive.

He then said "well it is 9.15 now not 9am". His first words to me were "why are you late".

I happily always take shorter lunchbreaks etc when I do arrive a little late and at the beginning when I told them I was pregnant I said there may be times when I am late and I will always make up the time so despite it not being my fault this morning I would have just made up the time, but surely I shouldnt be opening this heavy shutter anyway.

I just cant wait to get out of here.

He is being out of order.
You're supposed to have health and safety checks re. workplace environment when you are pregnant anyway, to see if there are any hazards or things they need to change. Hopefully someone will be along in a minute with the relevant link to show your boss/HR department.

Agree with Miffster - you shouldn't be lifting heavy things full stop. You should be having an expectant mother check immediately if you haven't had one already. Tell him where to shove it.xxx

sounds to me like you weren't late at all.

Right, here you go...

Direct Gov link

^'Risk assessments

Your employer has a 'duty of care' to look after, as far as possible, your health, safety and welfare while you are at work. They should start with a risk assessment to spot possible health and safety hazards.

They have to appoint a 'competent person' with health and safety responsibilities. This is usually one of the owners in smaller firms, or a member of staff trained in health and safety in larger businesses.
Businesses employing five or more people

For businesses employing five or more people, there must also be:

* an official record of what the assessment finds (your employer has to put plans in place to deal with the risks)
* a formal health and safety policy, including arrangements to protect your health and safety (you should be told what these are)

The employer's duty of care in practice

All employers, whatever the size of the business, must:

* make the workplace safe
* prevent risks to health
* ensure that plant and machinery is safe to use, and that safe working practices are set up and followed
* make sure that all materials are handled, stored and used safely
* provide adequate first aid facilities
* tell you about any potential hazards from the work you do, chemicals and other substances used by the firm, and give you information, instructions, training and supervision as needed
* set up emergency plans
* make sure that ventilation, temperature, lighting, and toilet, washing and rest facilities all meet health, safety and welfare requirements
* check that the right work equipment is provided and is properly used and regularly maintained
* prevent or control exposure to substances that may damage your health
* take precautions against the risks caused by flammable or explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radiation
* avoid potentially dangerous work involving manual handling and if it can't be avoided, take precautions to reduce the risk of injury
* provide health supervision as needed
* provide protective clothing or equipment free of charge if risks can't be removed or adequately controlled by any other means
* ensure that the right warning signs are provided and looked after
* report certain accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the local authority, depending on the type of business'^

If you think he is going to be difficult, how about asking your midwife/GP to write a note stating you must not be lifting/shoving heavy objects and specifically recommend that you do not try to heave the work shutter open, but instead are let in by another member of staff?

They also have to let you have time off for antenatal appointments and not make you make the time up or take it as holiday, just in case they haven't made that clear to you!

Thanks ladies. Unfortunately a very small company and he effectively "acts" as HR. When I told him I was pregnant he said would I be coming back and did I want my job kept open and has since implied that he expects me to make up the time off for appointments.

I sent him an email swapping days off etc for appointments during the holidays as I have adequate childcare and they prefer this, but explaining that from Sept any appointments will just involve me being late in.

He clearly has no idea. I do have a leaflet from my MW about his responsibilities as an employer but havent given it to him.

Just wanted to make sure I wasnt being overly sensitive about it.

I don't mean to be dramatic, but you really mustn't be lifting a heavy shutter at your stage. When I was pregnant with my first I thought this was all a bit wimpish and went about moving heavy things around, but recently a good friend of mine felt pressured to do the same in her job and very sadly had a miscarriage the following evening. Obviously it has been devastating for her and totally not worth trying to keep her boss happy over. I don't want to scaremonger, but I've realised how important it actually is not to do this sort of thing.

mixedmama I can send you my company's maternity policy if you'd like? With logos taken off of course!

It covers ALL the legal stuff they are obliged to do and as we are a recruitment consultancy, is 100% accurate.

Your boss is not dealing well with this - I've had a risk assessment, am free to take 20 minutes to lie down, payroll have been informed that my leave for medical appointments is paid etc, and I have been read my 'rights' as it were.

Mahriah - thank you for that. I have my previous companies info etc that I can pull out if necessary... i think alot of the time he just thinks i am a silly little girl.

Thanks for reassuring me everyone.

The nct and working families have produced a really good employer's guide. You'll find it on the nct website at www.nct.org.uk in the info bit. They also have a legal helpline run by a firm of solicitors.

Your employer should do a risk assessment and you must review it and make sure this shutter issue is recorded with what will be done to minimise the risk to you (ie not lifting the heavy shutter).

Get a copy of the employee guide whilst you're on there and read it. It's called guide to returning to work but starts from as soon as you know you're pregnant.