Massive work issue.. Really need advice. Just walked out.

[Mum2oneds]

OK so brief background. 19 weeks pregnant. High risk for blood clots due to family history and waiting on consultation appointment.
Had a risk assessment which said no standing or sitting for more than two hours in a row. And If in kitchen must work in pairs due to the heat and how busy it is.. All ok

So today was put down for till for two hours. Then in kitchen after my break with a colleague.
Then someone called in sick. So I was told by my supervisor that I had to go back on till for two hours. I said I'm not allowed. She said we'll yoi can't do kitchen on own. I said I'm afraid that's not my problem it's in my risk assessment. My manager is off. All higher management in a meeting.
In the end she rang a high manager who said I had no Choice it's either stand on a till. Sit in a grocery till or shelf tidy.. Which again isn't enough circulation and my veins in legs are already flaring up.
But he would come and discuss it and phoned the company legal person and they said as I had a break in between I could stand again.. But that break was sitting down. Again no circulation.
I was then told I had no choice as that's all there was to offer
So I walked out and currently Sat outside in tears.
They know my risks. I also just returned today from a week poorly in which I have had no return to work interview as no one to do it.. And they know the reason I was off was pregnant related.

Could they of made me do what they said even tho I said it would put me at risk..

We managed to get great rights for pregnant women. Sorry OP but it sounds like you are making excuses and taking the mick.

I think you've stumbled across a Manager who is bending over backwards to treat you well because she or he knows that it is much better and easier than have you popping in to the CAB (who I assume phone them?) or walking off shift at will.

That doesn't mean that you shouldn't have handled things differently.

You sat at the till for the first 2 hours - so you either walk in your break (nobody needs to eat a lasagne during a 5 hour shift!) or take the shelf tidying option. Even having to stay in one aisle gives you loads of opportunity to move your legs.

Yes, your Employer has to pay respect to your risk assessment - but you have to take responsibility for helping yourself too!

I'm also fascinated to know how every 5th hour is spent - whether at work or home. If you can only sit for 2 hours & stand for 2 hours what do you do?

Yabu, and precious.

I’m 18 weeks with No2 and left work 35 mins early to go to the hospital (after speaking with a midwife) with pain today and I’m shitting myself that I’ll get bollocked tomorrow. Turns out it’s a wee infection and nothing major but this makes me realise this is why my manager was annoyed when I told him I was pregnant

Out of interest OP, is this your first proper job? Seeing as you've been there for 17 years and are obviously young enough to be pregnant, it just occurred to me that it might be?

My reason for asking is that this can really have a bearing on your attitude to what "should" and "shouldn't" be happening. You would have very limited experience of employers and therefore not realise that there are very, very many pregnant women out there having to (wrongly) fight a lot harder just to be given as much consideration as your employers are giving you. They gave you options, they are working to your risk assessment. They are being basically decent. Lots sadly can't say the same but maybe you don't appreciate this fact as you've never worked anywhere like that?

I totally get you are worried but honestly - behaviour like this is why women are so often treated badly in the workplace when pregnant.

Youcant - I can't imagine why you would be bollocked for that, I wouldn't worry at all. Glad you and your baby are ok.

I'm a manager, have a couple of pregnant members of my team. Turns out I know what's what better than my own, senior manager does. Explaining that pregnancy related absence was ring fenced and essentially ignored with regard to managing absence was bloody well painful. Said manager is also a woman and should be more bloody compassionate. I consider it part of my role to protect my team though.

OP.
You should not have walked out under any circumstances.
However saying that they are putting you and your unborn baby at risk by ignoring what advice a medical professional has given you and your employer. So they are in the wrong.
You've said you were stood 2 hrs then they wanted you do do a further 2 after a staffing change? And they have in writing that you should be doing something with more movement? Then they are undoubtedly in the wrong.
Go in tomorrow apologise for walking out and explain your reasons for it again and my advice would to also put it in writing the apology and again outlining what has been previously agreed

Some people are just utter piss takers.... you are one of these. You don’t like the ‘job’ then leave. Workplaces are so frozen in worry because of the utter crap that’s preached as gospel. We are trying to move forward as women and yet you can’t even ‘face up’.... heaven forbid if there was something actually wrong with you.

Please don't use pregnancy as an excuse to be ill. It's a normal condition, our bodies are designed to be active during pregnancy. You need to go back to work and get on with it!

You've said you were stood 2 hrs then they wanted you do do a further 2

No she was sat at the till.

She could have moved about in her break. She chose not to and to sit down.