Work and pregnancy

[Mumtobefirst]

Hi everyone.
Just wanted some advice if anyone else has been in the situation I am in.
I am currently 18w+4 and I really struggling in work.
I work 10.5 hour shifts on me feet constantly over 4 days.

They have only offered me 8 Hour shifts over 5 days. And have said I am allowed to sit down for 5 minutes a couple times a day.
I’m getting to the point now where I don’t want to go to work because I am so tired. And to top it off I am having issues with my manager.
This is my first pregnancy and everything is new to me.
Any advice would be very much great fun

Is there a reason why they are being fairly inflexible in regards to you?
Haa this come about from a proper risk assessment - is there anyone else you could speak to to look at amending the risk assessment if so?
Also, have you got a HR department or somewhere you could take this if your manager isn't being helpful?

Sorry for all of the questions, it's rubbish you're having to go through this. People sometimes think pregnancy doesn't bother you until the later stages but they're so wrong! Hope you get sorted

Hi yes I’ve had 3 risks assessments now and still no improvement. So I’m unsure on what’s going on. Other people I’ve said have said they get really flexible hours etc. Doesn’t help I also have to leave 1 hour before my shift to actually get to work. I am contracted to 40 hours a week but it seems that they will not allow me to lower my hours.

I spoke to the HR manager and nothing has got back to me. It’s been constant since the moment I told them I was pregnant, problem after problem and I know things are only going to get worse the further along I get

I would just tell them you want your contacted Hours and that's it. Your not legally required to work anything over it x

I'm in the exact same position. I'm nearly 18 weeks I work 13 hour days constantly on my feet I am exhausted I have a meeting with HR on Wednesday to discuss some alternatives because I can't go another 20 weeks like this. I find myself going to sit on the toilet just to get 5 mins to myself without being frowned on that Iv sat down. I am considering using my annual leave and starting maternity early I honestly want to cry every day! X

Im a nurse, and ive had to be really forceful with them when its comes to stuff like this.

I cant work in some clinical areas due to the likelihood of having to do CPR. Ive got what I wanted, but ive defo annoyed some people.

You say you've had 3 risk assessments and they're still be fairly inflexible. Theres no point in doing risk assessments if no action is taken, its a worthless bit of paper otherwise. I'd speak to your HR department. It also sounds like you're going to have to be a bit firmer with them and annoy people.

I’m sorry you’re struggling, I’m about to hit a very rough patch of my rota and will be doing similar shifts and am dreading it! I’m knackered on days I haven’t even done anything never mind working!

Are you an NHS worker? The NHS calculate your maternity pay from the hours you are working up until 25 weeks... just something to consider if you’re thinking of reducing your hours.

Is there another facet of your role that you can move to that’s not quite so physical while you’re exhausted?

So no I’m not a nhs worker,
I work in a warehouse (big company).
I’ve had 3 risks assessments because I have already been moved to a different department as I couldn’t use ladders due to low iron and dizziness.
I have to have a monthly review to assess how I am. I am considering stating my maternity early as I am to the point where I get so upset with going into work. But because this is my first baby I don’t know when my wage gets asset for maternity, all I know is that after I’m 29 weeks I can start maternity.
I’m going to go in tomorrow and ask to have another meeting with HR and health and safety as I can’t keep on like this. I’m literally crying in all my breaks and stood at my work station crying.

If your job can be done from a seated position, then a seat must be made available to you.

As you're in a warehouse, I am guessing you're not up and about heavy lifting. What have they got you doing right now?

If you're finding your job unmanageable, have you considered taking sick leave? Or requesting an external OT to review your situation?

I’d ask for a referral to occupational health to have an unbiased assessment

So currently I’m packing parcels, which I am stood up for, there is no seats available as it’s a standing up job.
I have been told not to lift anything I can’t handle, it was 5kgs but they have changed it last week as they can’t determine the weight of products I pack.
There is a sitting area that I can go to but my manager times how long I take to sit down and also to go toilet...
where I work is very target driven and it makes it so much harder.
I will request a occupational health assessment tomorrow when I am back in work.
I’m worried about taking sick leave as doesn’t it affect my maternity pay?