Off sick when pregnant

[eatojesy]

I'm 6 months now, only been at my job for 2 months and I've been off sick 2 days as I have endometriosis and my growing stomach is stretching the scar tissue in my pelvis. Not something I can help and it's only the odd days but I can't help thinking it doesn't look great when I haven't been there that long..anyone else had sick days whilst pregnant 

I had to have 5 days off a couple of weeks ago due to having a water infection and just having no energy whatsoever! Boss wasn't very sympathetic and said 'pregnancy isn't an illness' but if you don't feel well, you don't feel well end of, don't feel guilty for it!

I really wouldn't worry about it. I had most of my first trimester off with sickness and had around three weeks off in second trimester due to sciatica / pgp. Your pregnancy is more important than your job and quite frankly, you're probably not much use in work if you're not feeling 100% x

Thanks for your reassurance! I'm normally quite laid back and don't care too much about these things but my manager is male & 25 so I don't think he understands that being pregnant gives you more opportunity for pain and illness xx

So you where 4 months gone when you started? Did they know you where pregnant when they hired you? In which case they dont have a leg to stand on.

Pregnancy related illness' is not allowed to be held against you and is protected.

Hi! I have endo too so literally feel your pain. Pregnancy is a protected characteristic so they can't penalise you for it. In some cases, endo is also protected under the Equality Act so you might also be protected for this.

I'm 7+5 and everyone says I shouldn't be able to feel the stretching yet....lol try saying that to somebody with scar tissue all over their uterus and surrounding ligaments!

I found out I was pregnant a week into returning to a previous job, I've had no days off until last week when I was signed off with back Pain (I'm 22wks now),,went back to work this week and ended up coming home again today, I have to say my manager is male and he couldn't be any more understanding, like others have said you can not be penalised for pregnancy related illness but it does definitely help if Yr management are at least a little sympathetic

I wouldn’t worry.

I had a lot of time off due to sickness in the first trimester and several random days for migraines during the second trimester. It’s just one of those things really.

I felt bad about it but I tried dragging myself in when I was being sick and it just wasn’t worth it. I felt awful and was so unproductive

I had a week off in second trimester after pulling a back muscle and then have had three days off this week (bug/exhaustion). My commute to work is 38 miles each way, and I need to drive a lot for work, so I just couldn't face it. As others have said, your health is more important and this is a short period in terms of how long you might be employed for. My team manager is a guy as well, and has been really excellent at helping me to look after myself.

@eatojesy Hi. I work in HR and currently on mat leave.

Just so you all know, your employer CANNOT use their absence policy against you for pregnancy related illness or absence. They would be breaching the Equalities Act and could be seen as being discriminatory.

My advice - your health and your baby's health are paramount.

m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5271