Taking time off sick 1st trimester

[weloveheyduggee]

Just wondered if anyone had any advice on taking

Sorry got attacked by the toddler mid- post

I'll start again- I'm 9 weeks PG with 2nd DC and I'm finding it quite challenging (with the toddler into the swing of terrible 2s!) I only work part time but it's very physical, lots of heavy lifting, move large quantities of bags, bending, stretching, on my feet for 8 hours. I'm obviously not heavy lifting and trying to find myself quieter jobs but it's tough and I'm still being put down to lone work which is even more challenging.

As I'm only part time how am I legally to have the odd day off 'sick' just cos I'm feeling tired/ nauseous/ not coping? The heat doesn't help at the mo. I remember a previous colleague barely doing a full shift her whole first trimester with 2nd DC cos she struggled, but the company was much friendlier then. I've already got in trouble cos we live rurally the only midwife clinic times are on a working day, so I'll have to miss some work for appointments and they're pissed off about that.

I don't want to risk the pregnancy for my not very important job (previous problems with MC) but I don't want to get in trouble. Help!

Sorry to hear that you're struggling.

At the first opportunity I would speak to your line manager and/or HR and ask for a pregnancy risk assessment to be carried out as soon as possible. Explain that you are finding certain parts of the role physically demanding and that you are concerned. Follow up the request in an email.

Whilst you wait for the risk assessment, request that you are moved from the tasks that you are concerned about. If they refuse I would speak to my GP and ask to be signed off pending the risk assessment.

As for time off for appointments, work can be as grumpy as they like about it but they are legally obliged to let you have the time off.

There is some good information here:
www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

Thank you that's very helpful, I knew I was allowed to attend my appointments they're just being stroppy it's not on my day off. Nothing I can do! I didn't know I could get a risk assessment so early, I had a couple last time cos I had bad SPD. At the moment it's just simple things like feeling sick, getting very lightheaded standing up too much and bending over, and not having anywhere to rest. I'm lone working Saturday and I know Monday I'm going to be knackered. Doesn't help that 10 weeks is my danger zone and I'm getting myself a bit anxious as I head towards it

I only work two days a week and it happens that the midwife clinics are only on those days, I do my best to make the appointments as early as possible but work essentially just have to suck it up.

Good to hear someone else has the same problem! Yes, not much you can do!

1st trimester is so hard, take time off if you feel like you need it :-)

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Get a gp note ? If it's preg related your employer can't do anything. I did this as my midwife was impossible to see!

I've just had three weeks signed off work by GP. I was back at work for a week and then I've been off again this week as I'm really not coping. I feel guilty for having the time off, but sometimes you have to put yourself/baby first. Pregnancy sickness is treated separately from normal sickness absence under employment law, so your employer can't use it against you in any way.

Definitely get a risk assessment ASAP, it's not law that employer must do one, but it's good practice and if you are struggling with certain aspects of your role that they needs to be addressed and risk assessment is the best way.

Re: antenatal appointments. I work three days a week and midwife clinic runs two days a week - of course both days I work. Unfortunately employer needs to suck it up, it's the law and I would be reminding them of that if they are getting pissy about your appointments.

Thank you all! Very nice to get some re-assurance, I was starting to feel like I was being a bit pathetic because I'm only part time, but even the little I'm doing is tough! The manager whose complaining the most is actually a mother herself, but older so she must of forgotten what it's like, and when you get your appointments isn't down to you!

Cheers! I don't plan on working too hard the next couple of weeks