How to tell work I'm sick without telling I'm pregnant

[Febe123]

I'm 6 weeks and started to get some sickness, it is not too bad at the minute but seems to be getting worse every day . Worried by next week I could end up being really bad, but can't really be sure of that. I wouldn't want to tell my manager yet, but the policy is we ring in and speak to the team leader if having a day off. So what should I say?

You need to tell them in confidence that it is pregnancy related so it does not count towards your sickness record

It's difficult, I really suffered and went off with norovirus which I genuinely thought I had (didn't think pregnancy sickness could be that bad!). I only told work once I was signed off sick (some weeks later) but even then the doctor worded the sick note that I was just unwell as she said I didn't have to declare my pregnancy to them if I didn't want to yet. I did decide to at that point though.

I don't really want to tell the, at 6 weeks.. how would the dr word a sick note?

You might not actually need to be off work though.

I was sick ten times a day when I was pregnant. I didn’t actually need to be off though, I was just in the loo every so often throwing up.

If you do have to be off just tell your manger in confidence.

You need to tell them in confidence that it is pregnancy related so it does not count towards your sickness record

It will be recorded as sickness but can’t be counted towards any triggers for disciplinary action.

Tell someone in confidence - in all likelihood they will guess anyway if you are very sick on more than one occasion. I didn’t even have any time off but a colleague sussed my regular trips to the toilet.

I work in a very big office which is quite a long walk to the toilet, also one week they will be closed for a refurb , meaning I'd have to go upstairs to another floors. I would be very embarrassed to be sick in front of people even if it is in a sick bag!

You'd need to tell HR in confidence and on email (so you can prove the date later if necessary) that you're pregnant. They then can't use any sickness or absence against you and must allow you paid time to go to the docs, midwives etc. They also have to at some point initiate a risk assessment to ensure your and the babies health while you're still at work. Good luck

I’d tell you manager in confidence as pregnancy related sickness can’t be counted against your sick days. If you are off a lot due to sickness yuh might find it triggers something or you run out of sick day allownece

You might be able to keep the sickness at bay by eating regular small snacks - like crackers or rice cakes?

They then can't use any sickness or absence against you and must allow you paid time to go to the docs, midwives etc.

Not true. It’s only pregnancy related sickness that is protected. Get a cold or break your wrist and it’s normal sickness.