Work not happy i have called im sick - pregnancy related

[Emj86]

Hello,

I posted yesterday for advice because i was told on Tues at 8 weeks pregnant i have a subchorionic hematoma which is causing me heavy bleeding and pain, i have another scan booked for wed as it has got worse and the doctor i spoke to advised to rest as did the ladies on here.

Anyway i have been off work this week anyway as holiday and was due back today, i feel awful and im still stressed and scared over this whole sch so text my manager yesterday to tell her i wont be in work, she said it was fine but to still ring anyway which i just did, the person i spoke to was abit off with me and asked if i had a sick note and made me feel really guilty!

I had intended to have a few day's off until wed scan so i know if everythings ok but feel like i should go in on Mon now to please them.

I know i can self cert for one week and apart from this i have been off for 3 day's in one year due to the nora virus and tonsillitis.

Do you think it's reasonable to have a few day's off or are they right to be annoyed?

If you have been advised to rest then you must rest! The important people here are you and your baby - you must do what is right for you.
They cannot discriminate against you due to pregnancy. Sickness due to pregnancy does not go on your sick record.
You can self certify for 1 week, but if you feel you need to you can go see doctor monday and get a sick note.

Once you tell them you are pregnant, any time off sick related to the pregnancy should not count against you in terms of total time off sick (eg if you're only allowed 5 days before them starting disciplinary etc).

At the end of the day if you're not feeling well enough to be there (& especially if you're bleeding etc) you shouldn't be there. People get sick for a whole range if reasons and shouldn't be given a hard time.

Excuse the language but I say work should go f&*k themselves! Your health and that of your unborn is the most important thing right now and if the professionals say you should rest then please do.
I dont mean to sound so aggressive, I'm not really honest! I'm currently 25+6 and I've had a relatively good pregnancy but tiredness is really starting to kick in now. I've been with my employer nearly 10 years and never had more than a few days sick a year, where as other colleagues do so at the drop of a hat. But now that I'm pregnant and struggling to cope a bit at work I'm definitely putting myself first, if that means taking a day to recharge then thats what I'm doing.
I hope things improve for you soon x

I agree you need to rest!

However if I remember correctly you can't self cert right after a holiday period?

Mind you I could be talking absolutely crap as I've been an expat out of the uk for many years now!

Worth checking though. Good luck for your next scan x

"However if I remember correctly you can't self cert right after a holiday period?"

Yes, you can.

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1062.aspx?CategoryID=190&SubCategoryID=1903

Thanks dino like I said I've not worked for many years now so I'm not up to date with all the rules and regs.

I know I had a really hard time a few years back when I called in sick after a holiday (mmc) and the bosses made my life hell. Insisted that I had a medical cert because they thought I was just trying to extend my holiday!

Do they know you are pregnant yet to enable you to tell them it's a pg problem?

Fingers crossed all goes well at the scan.

Was also going to ask whether they know you are pregnant? I've posted on your other thread about SCH but I found my work were really sympathetic in this situation and if you haven't told them it might be worth considering.

I was off work when pregnant for the entire pregnancy due to severe HG, and my work tried to discipline me and accuse me of not correctly following sickness absence procedures. They soon changed their tune when I notified them I was pregnant as soon as I found out (and 'found' the voicemails I had left them) and I didn't have any problems after. In fact, they were falling over themselves to help me and apologise (I think they got scared ) don't be afraid to tell them about your pregnancy, you need time to rest and it's good that pregnancy offers much protection by law in the workplace.

Was also going to ask if they know you are pregnant? You'll be protected from disciplinary procedures, and will also have to do risk assessments etc. and remember, it's still confidential.

I told my line managers at 5 weeks (!) because I was feeling crappy and my job involves lifting heavy stuff occasionally. My line managers were really understanding and supportive. I'm glad I told them early.

Thank's for replying! Yes they know im pregnant, i told them early at 6 weeks just in case of appointment's etc, it's a bank i work for and unfortunetley alot of people do call in ALOT however im not one of them, they still seem to assume that everyone is skiving when they call.

I hate being off work anyway but i feel i really do have valid reason, i have a 2 year old and was never off with him.

Ok, is it possible the person on the phone was just having a crappy day for some other reason?

Your manager said it was fine. The person you rang may have been trying to follow procedure and come across as a bit impersonal.

Were you already feeling guilty (unnecessarily!) and so maybe looking for negativity?

Of course, they may be arses but if your manager was fine about it, that's the main thing.

Yes i probably was looking for negativity tbh and the girl i spoke to prob speaks to everyone like that, guess im just annoyed that they haven't been abit more compassionate in general, i have kept my scan appointments etc and will make a point of taking them in when i go back as 'proof', i wish i could just tell my manager and leave it at that but they insist you call and explain your personal issues with a stroppy stranger each day that your off!