Work being slightly difficult

[MollySxx]

So to cut a long story short and I've posted my threads about my struggles with pregnancy losses. But I am now nearly 7 weeks, I had a scan on Thursday that showed heartbeat and was all in line and fine for this stage.

When I found out I was pregnant again I had a slight meltdown, my doctor signed me off work for 2 weeks leading up to my scan so I could rest. I asked to not put on the note pregnancy as I didn't want work knowing incase I had another miscarriage and it's just hard going in and explaining.

My note has now ran out and im back to work tomorrow. I won't give away where I work, but it's a supermarket and it's a LOT of work and the company wants your blood sweat and tears. I've spoke to my boss (she's new) after the scan and I've explained and I've also explained the medication I'm on and it's not your standard straight forward pregnant and all jolly. I've got a note off my doctor to explain light duties and not to work late night shifts. For example you could start at 12:30pm and not be out till 11pm. She's basically dismissed that note and said she didn't need it, and as of late nights she's said I have to. She's unwilling to cater to someone who can't work stock. She's now offered me to be the new cleaner but stay on my contract hours. But then followed with the bins are heavy duty but can I manage. It's really starting to frustrate me because she's not listening at all. She goes 100 miles a minute and I got about 3 words in our conversation. She also said when I have scans and I'm put in work can I get my shift covered before going to her about it. Which is fair. She then followed with its hassle but she'll let me go. Oh thank you for letting me go to my own scan🙄 I'm already dreading going back tomorrow

[quote MollySxx]@SW1amp so I can lay down for half an hour in work after I take the progesterone? Have you been on progesterone before? If you have you'll know you're advised to lay down for half an hour while it absorbs otherwise it'll just leak out [/quote]
I've been on it three times and never been told to lie down for half an hour after?
Its pretty normal to have some leak out though so don't panic if you do.

[quote MollySxx]@SW1amp also didn't say I can't combine it with working. But finishing work at 11pm, getting home just before 11:30pm and back in the next day possibly at 9:30am. That's my point of not having routine [/quote]
That’s not allowed under Working Time regulations. You need at least 11 hours between a shift ending and the next one starting.

@Mufflette

Definitely worth joining a union to help, they will have dealt with it before! Which union depends where you work, they have different agreement but if you Google e.g ' union for Tesco workers' you should be able to work out which one is yours.

There’s usually a 3 month period after joining before help can be given.

@SW1amp I have been advised to do so. So I'm following the advice I've received. You don't need to tell me where to put it. That's my own personal choice. I don't need to change my choice in that. I made this thread for advice, not to be ridiculed or be told what is and isn't taking the piss. If you don't agree. Don't comment. The fit note isn't for the progesterone, it's mainly for lighter duties. I know I'm not incapable because of pregnant, but also risks come into play. Shall I pull a 6ff pallet of wine down the shop tomorrow just fo show face? No. So kindly don't comment when I didn't make this thread to be made to feel like I'm being a drama queen

CONGRATULATIONS!

She is a terrible manager and person !

HR IMMEDIATELY
UNION IMMEDIATELY
YOU ARE THE RIGHT
STAND YOUR GROUND

Can you go above her?
Can transfer to another section ?

@NavigatingAdolescence not In my company. I've worked a close shift and been back in at 5am. It flags on the system to head office but it's very rarely dealt with

Good grief

You’ve had a lot of good advice on this thread (not particularly including myself in this) and you’ve been downright rude to most people

Maybe if this is your general attitude and demeanour at work, it might be why your boss isn’t falling over self to accommodate you above and beyond what is required by law?

[quote MollySxx]@SW1amp I have been advised to do so. So I'm following the advice I've received. You don't need to tell me where to put it. That's my own personal choice. I don't need to change my choice in that. I made this thread for advice, not to be ridiculed or be told what is and isn't taking the piss. If you don't agree. Don't comment. The fit note isn't for the progesterone, it's mainly for lighter duties. I know I'm not incapable because of pregnant, but also risks come into play. Shall I pull a 6ff pallet of wine down the shop tomorrow just fo show face? No. So kindly don't comment when I didn't make this thread to be made to feel like I'm being a drama queen [/quote]
You are not a drama queen !

100% on your side

You have had struggles in the past and even if you hadn't you MUST but the safety of your baby and yourself FIRST.

Some companies are not allowing pregnant woman into work at the moment because of Covid let alone your struggles. Ignore negative comments

@SW1amp

Good grief

You’ve had a lot of good advice on this thread (not particularly including myself in this) and you’ve been downright rude to most people

Maybe if this is your general attitude and demeanour at work, it might be why your boss isn’t falling over self to accommodate you above and beyond what is required by law?

Show me where I've been rude? Me and @NavigatingAdolescence have spoke majority of this thread. We've probably gone back and fourth once or twice. But I haven't been rude to anyone else. Like I've said if you aren't commenting for a reason, then you can scroll past

You don’t get to dictate who does and doesn’t post on threads!

You’re being very petty and childish

@Strangevipers

CONGRATULATIONS!

She is a terrible manager and person !

HR IMMEDIATELY
UNION IMMEDIATELY
YOU ARE THE RIGHT
STAND YOUR GROUND

Can you go above her?
Can transfer to another section ?

When I see her tomorrow face to face and not over a phone call, I'm hoping she understands a bit more. On Thursday I couldn't get a word in edge ways, couldn't get my point across. After this thread I'm starting to think I'm just taking it over the top In feeling now I do. But I know my role and it's not safe in some aspects of the job for pregnant people

@SW1amp

You don’t get to dictate who does and doesn’t post on threads!

You’re being very petty and childish

You've had your comments for tonight. You won't get anymore communication from me. Goodnight.

[quote MollySxx]@NavigatingAdolescence not In my company. I've worked a close shift and been back in at 5am. It flags on the system to head office but it's very rarely dealt with[/quote]
It’s a legal requirement. Your company can’t “opt out” of it.

Some companies are not allowing pregnant woman into work at the moment because of Covid let alone your struggles. Ignore negative comments

That advice was for those past 28 weeks of pregnancy, and changed many months ago. OP isn’t going to get paid to stay at home from this point.

They’re not negative comments when they are regarding the law.

@NavigatingAdolescence I'm just explaining my history with the company and what has happened and what they allow to happen. A lot is swept under the carpet just so targets and head count are met. A main reason why a lot of staff lately have handed their notice In

@NavigatingAdolescence side note - I worked in a supermarket many years ago and they totally did not give a shit about the 11 hours rest! Is that a new thing? Not that it matters to me now I guess but can see the OP totally not having the 11 hours rest!

OP join a Union ASAP. It's so so easy to join. And cheap too.

@MollySxx no need to have such a big discussion here. Your GP has stated medically what work in suitable for you. Your work can see if they can meet the requirements and keep you at work. There may be business reasons why they cannot. You need a risk assessment by your occ health team and hopefully your boss will listen to them

@NavigatingAdolescence

Some companies are not allowing pregnant woman into work at the moment because of Covid let alone your struggles. Ignore negative comments

That advice was for those past 28 weeks of pregnancy, and changed many months ago. OP isn’t going to get paid to stay at home from this point.

They’re not negative comments when they are regarding the law.

Incorrect !

One of my team is under 28 weeks and i have explained she does not have to come into workplace due to COVID.

Different companies have different policies hence the word 'SOME'

" When I see her tomorrow face to face and not over a phone call, I'm hoping she understands a bit more. On Thursday I couldn't get a word in edge ways, couldn't get my point across. After this thread I'm starting to think I'm just taking it over the top In feeling now I do. But I know my role and it's not safe in some aspects of the job for pregnant people "

Great ! Have a calm conversation if you can get a word in tomorrow. HR and a risk assessment need to be carried out and no matter what your doctors suggestions trump your managers opinion .

Incorrect !

One of my team is under 28 weeks and i have explained she does not have to come into workplace due to COVID.

Different companies have different policies hence the word 'SOME'

Yes. But the OFFICIAL guidance has changed. You can send them all home to lounge on solid gold chaise longues - it doesn’t mean the OP is ENTITLED to that.

[quote Sleepyquest]@NavigatingAdolescence side note - I worked in a supermarket many years ago and they totally did not give a shit about the 11 hours rest! Is that a new thing? Not that it matters to me now I guess but can see the OP totally not having the 11 hours rest!

OP join a Union ASAP. It's so so easy to join. And cheap too. [/quote]
2003.

www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

@NavigatingAdolescence

Incorrect !

One of my team is under 28 weeks and i have explained she does not have to come into workplace due to COVID.

Different companies have different policies hence the word 'SOME'

Yes. But the OFFICIAL guidance has changed. You can send them all home to lounge on solid gold chaise longues - it doesn’t mean the OP is ENTITLED to that.

Glad you understand now

@MollySxx Congratulations on your pregnancy and I'd recommend following whatever advice your healthcare team has given re: work, medication, etc. People's experiences of, eg, progesterone will differ but the advice you've got from your doctor will have taken your specific circumstances and needs into consideration. Like you, I was told to take it vaginally and to lie down for half an hour afterwards to maximise absorption, so that's what I've done.

Once you formally notify your work of your pregnancy, there are additional protections for you, and you have rights re: time off for antenatal care, risk assessments for your job, etc. How those work in practice can vary between jobs, so it's important to get specific information from your company's HR and Occupational Health teams as to how those will work for you.

While it might feel quite personal that your manager isn't being very helpful in supporting your needs at this point, it might help your stress levels to keep in mind that the reasons for the difficulties probably aren't personal. It sounds like there are some real issues in your workplace with staff leaving, communication and shift patterns, and your manager is probably under a lot of pressure to meet targets despite those issues. Add in that pregnancy-related workplace policies can be rather complicated, and you've got a situation in which your manager may well be struggling with what to do. That isn't your fault at all, but it might help you approach your discussion with her calmly if you keep in mind that she's probably stressed and confused too.

As someone who's also having a higher risk pregnancy after pregnancy loss and fertility treatment, my advice would be to make as much of a big deal as you need to make in order to protect your pregnancy and have your healthcare needs met. The company will prioritise the company's needs, but you need to prioritise your pregnancy.

Whatever you do, do NOT do any work your doctor said you shouldn’t be doing or anything other than light duties. Just do not budge. Your healthy and this pregnancy is the most important thing and you must remember that. Just be clear and say ‘ok I will do the cleaning but obviously won’t be able to do the bins’ and leave it at that. It’s her problem not yours.

Secondly go over her head and give the evidence of the doctors notes to whoever is above her and explain the situation. Also I do think it sounds like you should join a union asap from what other posters have said.

I believe if they can’t find suitable work for you after conducting a risk assessment they should suspend you on full pay?

Good luck and let us know how it goes xx

*your health