Boss angry at me for being sick

[AbelMartinez]

HI there

I'm about 19 weeks pregnant and since beginning of the year I've taken two days sick / working from home.

My boss is really annoyed and says I take too many sick days. They've both been cold / fever related - currently I have a chest infection and was in bed over the weekend coughing so decided not to go in on the Monday for fear of it getting worse.

Normally I would just push through but worried about implications in pregnancy, and also feel like it's hit me much harder than usual. But maybe I just need to push through and go in next time. Being off sick is really frowned upon in my company and don't want them to think I've lost dedication now I'm pregnant.

Advice appreciated!
thanks
Annabel

Your boss sounds like a knob. I had 8/9 solid weeks off with hyperemesis this pregnancy and my boss & HR were nothing but kind & sympathetic.

I’m a manager & I don’t bat an eyelid at sickness. People get ill. Sometimes you need to rest to recover more quickly! Particularly when you are pregnant. Your body & immune system are compromised from growing a human. I’ve found colds & viruses have hit me much harder while pregnant as I’m already exhausted!

You have every right to sick leave. Can you speak to HR? You are absolutely not being unreasonable!

Your boss sounds awful, definitely agree to speaking to HR. Also working from home isn't the same as being off sick. If you're not fit to work you shouldn't be working. If you are working from home they shouldn't count that as sick. I get there are days (and I do it) when I don't quite feel right and I will work from home. But I think flexible working encourages people to work when they should be off sick. I've been trying to get that message out to my team as they keep trying to struggle on at home, today I woke up feeling really ill and had barely slept and have taken my first sick day in 6 years - thought I better lead by example.

You don’t sound like you’ve got the most supportive boss , definitely don’t push yourself when you feel poorly especially when there’s a baby involved . I’ve been off on 3 separate occasions , each a week at a time , HR have said it can’t be helped especially when you’re pregnant and your immune system is weaker . My manager has equally sat down and asked if they can help in any way. They’ve said my pay has gone down to half but I won’t lose my job (which was my worry). You need to put you and baby first , ignore your boss (in the politest way possible). Take care x

Talking to HR not really an option as he is the owner of the company. I've worked with him for nearly 10 years, and he has many many plus points (or I wouldn't still be there!) but just has a real thing about people being sick. And even if working from home still views it as a sick day!

I guess I'm asking if i'm right to expect allowances when pregnant, as normally i would never take a sick day - and would just go in regardless. But just worried it could effect the health of my baby

thank you for all your comments... really helpful

I just get terrible guilt for being off sick (always have done) and my boss's views have made me feel extra bad!

But i just need to stand my ground. I'm doing my best but as you say my immune system is s*!

PS - unless i was really dying i wouldn't not work from home... as I would just have more work when I get back the next day. My targets aren't going to go away, and we have such huge pressure to hit them!

Roll on mat leave :)