Work treating me unfair?

[PhoebeBear]

I don't really know what to do in this situation but just want to get my story told.
So around 19 weeks I had my risk assessment at work. I work on a cosmetics aisle and my duties are stocking shelves and racking away extra delivery, handling tote boxes and using ladders.. one of my bosses told me straight away to ask for help and not to lift stuff on my own, also not to use the ladders anymore.
So I had my risk assessment with my other boss, let's just say her name is Jen.. she likes to push my limits. Everything she wrote down was that it was all tolerable because a previous pregnant team leader managed just fine so 'presumably' I should be too..
She told me I could push cages and still do delivery completely normal. She had me deliberately climbing ladders for her to reach something she needed from a shelf, I felt as though it was a test as she stood there and watched me while standing at the bottom of the ladders, she also snapped her fingers at me when telling me to climb them..
Now I was in work yesterday and she made me move out of a seat for her in the staff room so she could sit down instead and that's when it's pushed my limits.
I'm only 24 weeks but I'm knackered with work! All the bending down and carrying stock is really taking its toll and I feel as though she's almost punishing me for being pregnant.. what's your thoughts?

I would make a complain and let your midwife know she can write a letter to HR for you . You shouldn't be lifting or climbing ladders you might hurt yourself and baby.

@Helsvamp thanks, yeah I thought of doing the same. I don't want to seem as if I'm lazy in any way for not being able to do all the stuff I used to do but she's always been this kind of way.. I haven't told my DP as I know he would hit the roof

Has she put in writing this is expectations?
You should not be doing that stuff I would request a new risk assessment and tell her what you can do it’s not her job to tell you x

I would raise a grievance against her too. Make it known she’s doing this to HR.

Are you carrying heavy loads up ladders? You should have risk assessments regularly as your ability to climb ladders and lift loads will change as you get bigger. However I am not sure being pregnant stops you completely from climbing ladders/helping with the delivery.

In my old job anyone who was pregnant no matter how far gone was not allowed to use any of the ladders and no bending down necessary so no picking up boxes etc, we wernt even allowed to the the bins out as they are heavy, we also had to be given extra breaks if we needed them and extra toilet breaks.

Sorry but i would go to HR as she is putting you and baby at risk.

Climbing ladders when pregnant isn't the best plan. Pregnancy really screws with your core strength and your balance is off, plus light handedness etc. Much increased risk of falling. I was happy up and down step ladders with my first (at home, had just brought project house, but carrying nothing heavier than a pain roller!)

Heavy stuff is more of a risk to you because lax ligaments - I damaged a rib muscle in my first pregnancy- it is still a niggle 4 years later

Name change on this one because I guarantee you work for the same company as I do. I'm also pregnant but I am a store manager and have just had my risk assessment with my AM. Please go to your area manager mine has been lovely and told me in no uncertain terms I am not to work delivery unless it's light totes put in stock trollies for me , pull the roll cages, stand on a kick stool or a ladder, and generally everything the risk assessment tells us not to do. Please go to your area manager/regional HR advisor. You are your baby are the priority not work. Feel free to PM me. Look after yourself xx

Also your risk assessment needs re visiting every 12 weeks by your manager so if you have only had one 19 weeks ago and not another 12 weeks after that she has to do another one, please don't let her get away with it x

. . . one of my bosses told me straight away to ask for help and not to lift stuff on my own, also not to use the ladders anymore.

Does your other boss see you doing these things and know that Jen is having you do them? I agree that you should get a note from your doctor/midwife on what you can do and what you shouldn’t be doing. Get it in writing and present it to HR. You are not lazy – you are protecting your baby and yourself.

Unfortunately it does appear that Jen is punishing you for being pregnant. Many years ago when I was pregnant with DS1, I worked in an office job. It required no lifting or climbing whatsoever, but as my belly got bigger, my coworkers started taking digs at me, like I should take Vitamin B12 for memory loss (I’d not made any mistakes due to “memory loss”) and telling me they didn’t think I would be as committed to the job once the baby came (this from a man who regularly took two and a half hour lunches when the boss wasn’t around, which was often). When I returned from maternity leave, things got worse.

Take care of yourself and your baby, and good luck to you.

Jen is also putting the company at risk- if you fall off a ladder and are hurt, they are wide open to a huge claim against them. Might be worth having a quiet word up the chain just checking they are insured for you to be up ladders (they aren't!).
Keep a diary of her bullying behaviour, if you do need to take it further you will need it.

Is there cctv of you using ladders in front of her? I would file a grievance. Burn the cctv for HR to see. What if you fell off the ladders? It’s not worth it for someone like her. Either file a grievance or confront her & tell her if she doesn’t back off you will be reporting her. You have cctv evidence (if you do of course) & it’s discrimination. Feel angry for you OP. Good luck x

Maybe go on leave early . This has been my 2nd pregnancy might works haven't given me a risk assessment as always says busy . So starting my leave from now .