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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Rant

14 replies

Cnmorgan13 · 30/10/2015 13:35

I'm mostly just angry at myself. I seem to have misplaced my spine and backbone
My boss hasn't been very sympathetic or interested in my pregnancy (they have known for months, I'm 22 weeks) not that I want or expect to be treated with gloves but an occasional how are you feeling just once during the past 5 months would have been nice. It's our busiest time of work at he had a go at me today because I didn't go up the airport ladders at work to get a hob for a customer because I clearly use the stairs in my house. I just sat there like

Just needing to get it off my chest.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Willow123707 · 30/10/2015 16:12

They sound like idiots. Whilst pregnancy isn't a disability, it's not the best idea you climbing ladders half way through your pregnancy and most people have the sense and decency to understand thar, so what's their problem? What if you fell, how would they feel?

Sounds like you are being a tad mistreated, them not even asking you how you are, not once?

Why don't you go in tomorrow and ask if you could have a quick word, that there's something you want to talk about. be nice, confident and straight up. Say that you know pregnancy isn't a disease and you don't act like it is in your opinion, but you are not willing to climb ladders incase of a slight slip or fall which could be dangerous for your pregnancy. Say you're not being difficult or milking any situation, but you're carrying a baby and youre not able to do things as easily as before. There is no point in bringing up the fact the don't ask you how you are, people at my work never did, which is weird but there's not a lot you can do about it. You still have the right to be treated fairly, so just look out for anything that is discriminating against you as that's then crossing the line and you may need to take it further.

Hope things get sorted for u!!

MrsCrimshaw · 30/10/2015 17:17

That sounds dangerous. Have they done a risk assessment for you? www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm

sophiaslullaby · 30/10/2015 17:56

Being treated with gloves is different to being treated with respect to your condition and circumstances. They are not respecting the fact that, as an employer, they have a responsibility to you AND your unborn baby. If they've done a work risk assessment then they certainly aren't keeping to it. So I would do exactly as Willow said and have a poliet but firm word with your manager.
You are not wanting preferential treatment but do expect the treatment deserving of your pregnancy (and sadly that doesn't mean a daily "how are you?" as nice as it would be!) If they can't agree to that then you do have a discrimination case right there. But if they can agree then all sorted :-D
Good luck!

SurlyCue · 30/10/2015 18:03

A hob-as in the thing you cook on? Arent they quite weighty? You shouldnt be doing heavy lifting. Have they carried out a risk assessment? They are legally obliged to.

Alb1 · 30/10/2015 18:46

My midwife told me to avoid ladders as your centre of gravity shifts in pregnancy so your not as stable on them, it was in my work risk assessment too, your boss sounds like an idiot!

skankingpiglet · 30/10/2015 21:57

You most definitely shouldn't be up ladders! My foreman banned me from them as soon as I told him I was pregnant with DD. I was glad he did too as I spent a good portion of the pregnancy feeling light-headed and wouldn't have felt safe. They have a duty of care to you and the baby, and the ladders should have specific mention in your risk assessment. It sounds like your boss is negligent as well as uncaring. I was lifting more than the weight of a hob at that point, and if you're used to it and not struggling there isn't a problem with manual handling, but the working at height is a whole other thing. It's not about capability, it's that if you fell (pregnant or not) you might break a leg, but it could kill the baby you were carrying if pregnant.
Ask to see your risk assessment if you haven't already, and get a copy. If you're doing a job that has a physical element to it, really they should be periodically reviewing the assessment too.

Original poster

Cnmorgan13 · 30/10/2015 22:25

Thank you all for the kind words. I did do a risk assessment ages ago with my assistant manager she is a lot more understanding. As usual the outburst was done when we were alone. I think he was having a "kick the cat" moment. He is all bluster as he was ranting about having to contact HR saying that I am refusing to go up 2 steps. He's the kind you can't win an argument with. A conversation with him would solve nothing. I'm just so angry with myself for not being assertive and standing up for myself. Where is the hormonal pregnancy rage I was promised? Lol

OP posts:

Shutthatdoor · 30/10/2015 22:28

My boss hasn't been very sympathetic or interested in my pregnancy

Whilst of course you shouldn't be going up ladders, I'm not sure why your boss should be 'interested' in your pregnancy.

Original poster

Cnmorgan13 · 30/10/2015 22:48

oh I don't know, maybe a small thing called empathy or compassion some of us creatures called humans have. When you find yours throw some my way to give to my manager.

OP posts:

Shutthatdoor · 30/10/2015 23:16

When you find yours throw some my way to give to my manager.

There is no need to be rude .

Maybe it is that that your boss is picking up on

skankingpiglet · 31/10/2015 12:05

Most employers should be somewhat interested in your pregnancy (general stuff, not a blow by blow account of your battle with piles obv), even if only from a selfish perspective of protecting their business interests. You could be having complications which impact your ability to do your job/cause you to have time off etc. Any good employer is interested as they care about and value their employees of course.
Your response was also a bit rude Shutthatdoor.

Nottodaythankyouorever · 31/10/2015 12:25

Most employers should be somewhat interested in your pregnancy (general stuff, not a blow by blow account of your battle with piles obv)

In the OP however it is coming accross as that is exactly what they do want. People to ask how they are and show an interest.

I think the key word here is interest.

I agree with Shut in that I wouldn't expect an employer to be interested in my pregnancy. As long as they are doing what they should do legally.

Whilst you may be all consumed with your pregnancy and I do understand why, other people really don't have nor should they imo have that level of interest.

KittyandSqueal · 31/10/2015 12:29

I think your answer should have been 'by all means contact hr and see what they say about you sending a pregnant lady up a ladder and then shouting at her'

Blackandwhitecat3 · 01/11/2015 06:30

Definitely go and see HR, ask to see the risk assessment - if ladders are not included (I.e. You mustn't go up them) then ask that they are included (quote the hse at them - use the link above). If they are then explIn what happened with your boss today and ask them to brief him on your risk assessment and what he is/is not allowed to ask you to do.
And yes, if he gives you any grief, direct him straight to HR with kitty's words, or "well you'll have to take it up with HR, I've signed an agreement that states I mustn't use ladders and I'm not prepared to go against it"
He's a dick, by the way.

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