Shift work..

[Newyoungmummy]

**I'm completely lost on what to do..
At the moment I'm having a hard time with this pregnancy, I've let my employer know my hours are too much for me. They have made no effort to help with this.. even after my risk assessment.
I've tried to ring in sick because I'm exhausted, this got declined.. they told me I have to go to my shift.
On top of this they are adding extra pressures to my role that weren't there before, like demanding I cover my staffs shifts (I am a team leader). They are trying to give me more hours even after me telling them multiple times I'm struggling. I truly feel they are trying to make me leave.. please has anyone got advice

Ok so they cannot refuse you sick leave.

Call in. "I am too unwell to come into work today" hang up. Do the same for the rest of that week. You can self cert for 7 days.

What are your contracted hours?

You tried to ring in sick and got declined??? Just give them a firm "no sorry, I'm too sick to work". Sounds like they have no concern for your health at all. What type of work do you do?

They cannot tell you you can't call in sick. Also as it's pregnancy related it cannot be counted in your sickness records. Get a doctor's note if you have to and get some rest.

Well done for coming on here to get some advice. Your employer is trying it on assuming you will be too intimidated to challenge them. Have you worked for them for two years or more?
As others have said, please ring in sick if you need to, they cannot make you work when ill. If it were me I'd be talking to my union or somebody like ACAS to get some good lines to quote at them if they try to be funny.

Is it a big enough organisation to have a HR department? I'm assuming it's somewhere vaguely reputable as they've done a risk assessment but they should be updating this with you as things change, which they clearly are and the risk assessment should reflect that and suggest changes to reduce the risks to your health.

Take a deep breath, phone in sick, and if they are shitty have a line or two to quote at them either from someone knowledgeable on here or even better from ACAS. If you need to go to your GP make sure you tell them everything that your employer is doing that adds to your ill health not just about the exhaustion itself.

Hopefully your employer will shit themselves a little bit if they realise you've taken advice and have clocked on to how much they are taking the piss. Try to get any communication in writing (text will do) if you can, even if you have to send a 'just to clarify our conversation, you said X when I asked about Y' as you may need it as evidence in future. Even if you don't, if they have half a clue they'll realise they need to be more careful what they say to you.

That's a good point from @8dpwoah. I hadn't clocked before that you think they're trying to get you to leave. You should document as much as you can. Get it in writing where possible, but if you can't, write down what was said as accurately as you can. Talk to your GP/midwife. Read up on your rights. Pregnancy discrimination is sadly a real thing even in this day and age. Hope you get the rest you need.

Thank you all so much
I think I am going to be taking sick leave for a week to get myself rested! The stress of it all plus PGP has had me up most nights this week.. but you guys and your support, wow.. thank you

That's great that you're in a union as they will, regrettably, have seen all this before and know what to do to support you. Hope a few days resting and some support from them will have you feeling like yourself again soon, keep us posted!

Sorry you're having such a hard time! It sounds like you have all the advice you need, and great idea to call the union.
I'm lucky that my work have been understanding, but since I'm wfo due to the pandemic I hadn't taken any time off and was becoming increasingly ill with a number of pregnancy-related and also non-related ailments. In the end I requested a week off last week, and it was the best decision ever. It's given my body time to recover and I feel so much better now.
If you feel you need the time off, take it.

Op, I know you are going to tbe union but you can also get advice from "Pregnant and Screwed"
Google them. They offer advice around the law and pregnancy.