Dropping hours at work! Ladies can you help

[SweetPea86]

Hi I'm 17 weeks pregnant currently getting over the worst of serve morning sickness. Still have it but it is calming down.

I'm exhausted I work 6 days a week and I'm struggling to cope at work I'm on my feet all day.

I only have Sundays off so through the week I have no time for any thing.

I've went in to work every day with this sickness I actually don't know how I've got through the last few month.

Now the sickness is settling I seem to have a bit more energy but I have a trapped nerve in my bum cheek lol which is causing lots of pain. Along with my feet and back are in agony I'm finding it hard to bend and lift things.

I was thinking of asking work if I could drop one day in the week just so I mid week I can have a rest. And also I could make any appointments on that day. I'm scared to ask I never take time off work and worried they will say no. If they do what can I do about it.

I'm feeling anxious As work gets busy in the next month or so and I feel I will slow down.

Has any body had any experience in this.

Awww sorry your having it so rough :( :( I can't advise u on your work situation, but you say you have pulled a muscle in your bum... Are u sure its that? Could it be sciatica? I have it (this is my 2nd preg and this time it appeared at 14 weeks) and it is horrid and def hurts more if u r on ur feet a lot. Might be worth phoning your midwife and discussing it with her? Or visiting a chiropractor? I have done the latter as a physio appt takes 6-8 weeks and I couldn't cope with the pain. 2 visits later and a lovely (sexy) support belt the pain is bearable now...

sweetpea is your contract for 6 days a week?

If so, you can ask to drop a day, but it just that - asking. They may or may not agree.

If not, you have more room for maneuvre.

First up, have you had a pregnancy risk assessment done? This is a necessity, and will identify risks and things that can reasonably be done to mitigate those risks (giving you a stool, if you stand at a till all day, for example).

Second, can you work from home at all? But still do 6 days? That might be looked upon more favourably.

Third, if I understand you correctly, you would schedule your antenatal appts for your day off? You don't have to do this. By law, you are entitled to paid time off for antenatal appointments. Be very clear with your boss about this.

Be honest with your boss, tell them how tired and frazzled you are and ask for help. You may be surprised.

Good luck.

Hi ladies yeah I think its sciatica just got out the bath and I feel like jelly lol

Humpty yeah I'm contracted for 6 days and can't work from home. I guess I will have to bite the bullet and ask but I'm really scared to lol. I've worked there 5 years and only had one sick day in that whole time.

Part of my problem is I worry I'm letting people down I am my own worst enemy lol but staffing probs at the min and I worry I'm just another problem if I drop a day.

I know I can have paid off time for antenatal but so far I've swapped around shifts so I don't have time off. Yet again my own fears of asking for help lol.

My fear is if they say no I would feel like me being loyal and hardworking for all those years would be for nothing. So many people at my place who are off all then time for silly reasons.

Your loyalty to your employer is admirable OP but I do worry you're putting a business before your own well being.

You are allowed time off for appointments, I would be very surprised if you're the first person ever to be pregnant at your work & HR will be able to assist with your rights.

Regards cutting down - it's better for the company if they get 5 quality days from you, rather than you running yourself into the ground & either working less effectively because you're tired, or worse needing to go off sick, long term.

It never hurts to ask the question. Please be kind to yourself, for both yours and your baby's sake.

Thanks princess kit kat your right,

I'm also going down stair to get a kit kat now lol yum

Get a copy of your maternity policy. You might find that you can change your hours a bit if you are struggling. I was told there was an on call room I could nap in if I wanted! But then I do work in a hospital. It would be silly to jeopardise your mat pay if there are other ways of sorting it out.

Remember it is better for your work/ colleagues that you are in regularly and are well enough to concentrate and do a good job than you are signed off sick for over doing it.

Glad the sickness has gone. Hope your bum feels better soon!