Pregnancy related absence

[Mollnlillahsmummy]

Hi I know this has probley been discussed many times but just need some reassurance! I have revived a letter this morning from work "inviting me for a formal stage 1 interview" regarding sickness absence, all the absences on the letter are pregnancy related, I seem my gp and seen in a&e for some of them, one I was admitted for mri and tests due to hormone related migranes there are 4 occasions which were all pregnancy related. My employer was aware of pregnancy from 8weeks due to the sickness. When she spoke to me before we discussed that they were all pregnancy related so why has this become formal?! I didn't think this was allowed!! I have had no risk assesment and I'm now 23 weeks, I'm struggling with all the problems and due to nature of job they wouldn't be able to make reasonable adjustments I want to start Maty leave in 7weeks (@30 wks) but even this has not been discussed as my manager works different hours 2 me and is impossible to get hold of! If I go to midwife/gp can they write a letter detailing that the recent absence has been pregnancy related? Sorry 4 long post!!!

They are doing it all wrong. Pregnancy related sickness shouldn't be counted, they haven't done a risk assessment etc. Sounds like they don't know what they're doing. Get on to your union - or ACAS or Maternity Action for proper advice. Your GP may write you a letter - you will need to pay for this mind. Good luck x

It may be that this is a standard meeting when you're absence meets a certain trigger, but that it will simply be used as an opportunity to record that your absence is pregnancy-related and no further action taken. So don't panic, but prepare yourself with some information to take with you.

I'd agree that a letter from your midwife would probably help, and also read up on your organisation's absence and maternity policies in advance. If they don't explicitly say anything about pregnancy-related sickness, then take along a print out of something that details your rights. The Maternity Action website for example does a factsheet on the subject, or I'm sure you could find something on the ACAS webaite too.

Good luck, and again try not to worry. Your employer cannot penalise you for this, but it may be a good opportunity to get formally on record that you have not have the legally required risk assesment yet, and that you have been struggling to arrange maternity leave dates. Use the meeting to your advantage!

Thanks for your replys. I've been on to the union, they basically laughed when I said was all pregnancy related! I'm planning to make this an opportunity to bring all things I need discussed (maternity leave, risk assesment etc) like ppl have sujested. It just seems a silly waste of my time and theres!