A bit of AIBU about work

[AllIWant85]

Hello,

I informed my employer that I was pregnant 8 weeks ago. I requested information on the company maternity policy and also if a risk assessment could be carried out as parts of my job involve heavy lifting,working at heights,working with chemicals etc etc.

My employer has completely ignored this and everytime I've mentioned it again he's just brushed me off with excuses as to why he hasn't done it.

AIBU to request this information and expect a response by now?

Also he's started to make my life much harder at work. Just by changing the way he wants things done all the time and being argumentative and awkward. There's nothing that is blatant discrimination. I just get the feeling he's trying to back me into a corner so I quit before I start maternity leave.

I've just got home now and I'm in tears as I'm so stressed after today. I don't know what to do. :(

Poor thing, last thing you need is your boss being an asshole! Is there a higher manager you could approach or HR dept?

YANBU. Someone who knows about these things will be along in a minute but I know for a fact that your employer is required by law to do a risk assessment once they know you're pregnant (they've just done mine). Have they got an HR department you could talk to? Or do you have a union rep?

My manager started doing this to me when I was pregnant. Go to the government info and print it off. Including info on your rights and what he needs to do as your boss. Give it to him. Let him process the info and then say again you need a risk assessment etc. My boss backed off once I'd given her all the info. I'm sure someone else will come along soon with more legal knowledge though. In the meantime don't stress, deep breaths. There isn't a lot he can do without facing a tribunal so don't worry x

In the meantime I'd make a note of any incidents / directions he gives you that you think are unreasonable.

I work for a small company so no HR department. My boss is the director so there is no higher for me to go!!

I will print the information off though, that is a good idea thank you. I will also start keeping a log.

Have cried myself out now. Feel depressed though knowing I have to go back again tomorrow.

My employer behaved in a similar way when he found out I was pregnant. He got even more angry when I became sick with H.G. He def wanted me to quit, prob still hoping I won't come back after maternity leave.

I couldn't take the confrontation. It made me too stressed and as a consequence even more ill so my GP signed me off sick for the whole pregnancy. It took me a long time to get this man out of my mind and relax.

I felt exactly like you do. Small company, no HR, him owning the place. Horrendous. Print the information, get legal advice, write to your boss. Describe in detail what is expected of him and if he doesn't comply, raise a grievance.

How long have you worked there?

7 years I've worked there. It's had it's ups and downs but it's close to home,i enjoy the variety of work and I'm good at it.

I was signed off before Christmas with HG and since then he's been awful. I'm back now full time and have been since the New Year. I have a history of depression and although I'm not currently on any treatment the way I'm feeling today seems scarily familiar. I know I could just be having an off day emotionally though but it's something I will need to be aware of.

I don't understand why he is being like this. I'm very loyal and have gone above and beyond normal duties hundreds of times for him just to help him out.

Just sent you a PM!

Def not. Your employer is legally obliged to ensure your safety.
Link to Health ans Safety exec. info on pregnancy.

Your local Health and Safety Executive office might be worth a ring searching for an office.
Might also be worth a trip to your GP and asking whether they're willing to sign you off from work if your employer continues to put you and your LO at risk (by simply not doing a risk assessment they'd be putting you at risk).
Some of it is going to depend on what kind of work it is, but HSE should be able to signpost you if they can't help.
You shouldn't have to "understand" why he's reacting like this (I suspect he's petrified of losing a valuable employee for any length), it is his legal responsibility to ensure you're safe.

Thank you for those links, they make interesting reading.

I am reluctant to be signed off again as I need to be earning a full wage to save money for when I go on maternity.

check out maternity action - they give advice about this sort of thing.
www.maternityaction.org.uk/

They have leaflets as well as an advice line.

Ur not being unreasonable! Go to HR or your bosses boss. It may sound petty but start keeping a log of what's going on