Sickness, stress and work!

[Greggsxo]

Hiya, I've just turned 17 weeks pregnant (yaaaaay!) I'm having trouble that I can't make it to work! I've had really bad nausea and 'morning' sickness since around week 12. I've been in and out of work because of this. At first, they were really supportive but now I feel like they're pressuring me to come back saying I'm impacting their business. Me and may partner were made homeless last week and we had £250 to last us which of course went instantly. Luckily, we were put into a 1 bed flat for temp. All of this has had a massive impact on me and my body, I'm completely drained and I cannot get enough motivation to get to work I really feel like I have to nurture my body after this hard time. There's so many factors which push me from wanting to go back but I'm just not sure what to do. Thanks for any advice anyone can offer me. I just feel so guilty and pressured but want to look after the little babba inside me x

Have you been to the doctors to be signed off? You should if not. One long period of absence is better than lots of small ones. With a doctors note as well they must be careful about approaching you whilst you are off.

Do you have a plan for after your temporary accommodation?

I've actually had two sick notes already which are about 2 weeks each. I've gone back in between because I felt bad about taking so much time off and feel that every time I talk to them they make feel even worse for being off. Also i only get ssp and my partner isnt currently working (has an interview on Friday which he's pretty sure to get as he wants to take the demand off me). Forgot to mention I am only working part time but having to speak to cranky and problematic people gets my emotions sky rocketing.

At the moment we're waiting for our housing officer to confirm that we've passed all the 5 stages, then we'll probably have to look at council house/flat because unfortunately with my credit rating it's unlikely we'll find somewhere :( not enough decent private landlords round here who would consider me.

You're best off getting a longer sick note from your doctor to get signed off and then keep getting it renewed if necessary, it's not actually a good idea to go in between sick notes as it's more disruptive for the business usually and also more stressful for you, and more work for the GP.

I'm assuming you are already claiming all the benefits you are entitled to? You can do a benefits checker on entitledto.

Getting secure housing with the council is something many people can only dream about in certain parts of the country. I have my fingers crossed they will find somewhere nice for you and in an area that suits you but even if not, housing is a neccessity and really you're lucky to be being offered long-term housing so soon after being made homeless. I hope that doesn't sound cold it's just many people languish in temporary accommodation for years in certain parts of the country.

Whilst you are signed off just focus on looking after yourself. Work might grumble but there's not much they can do, hopefully they will be too frightened to do much else in case you try and sue them for pregnancy discrimination.

I hope your DH gets that job as it will make a big difference to the both of you.

Thank you very much for your advice:) I will give my doctors a call tomorrow - as I said before it's my pay that has been one of the things stopping me from getting sick notes for the time ahead but realise now it's probably the best thing to do.

Well I'm not actually entitled to much! When I started my job I earned too much in order to have help from anywhere else which is disappointing but hey. Income support said they cant offer anything because I get ssp.

Once the housing officer has confirmed we're entitled to help then it may be that we're in temp accommodation for months on end. But I'm so pleased and happy with what we got. Neither my partner or I have the best mental health and I'm currently still on depressants and I think our housing officer was so helpful towards this and managed to get us a place that isn't a hostel or worse.

Me too, he's really looking forward to it :)