Work is expecting too much

[MatronicO6]

Looking for some advice.
Like many women on here I am expecting and a teacher. I have found my pregnancy largely complication free but at 28 weeks things are becoming harder. Work is getting harder at the same time. I am in a year group were expectations are high and it comes with a significant pressure to raise attainment quickly. It also comes with a lot of extra assessment, admin and event organisation. I did tell my head before the eyar began as I was concerned the expectations would be too much especially in my last trimester when my pregnancy would get more exhausting and work more demanding. They chose to keep me there with idea I would be transitioning supported in spring term, no sign of that support yet.

In fact things have become more demanding, with last min expectations, asking me to do extra after school groups to run a trial ofsted. I would be stressed by the workload and demands even if I wasn't pregnant. Last night I ended up having to go to maternity triage, I thought I was in preterm labour. The doctors thinks I'm rundown and a bit stressed. Even when they suggested taking another day off I started telling them I had so much work and it wasn't ideal. Work was my first thought and i know it shouldn't be.

Having spoke to a couple of colleagues, who have their fair share of pressure, I am taking another day but as usual riddled with guilt. But I do feel irritated that work haven't done anything to reduce my workload yet. In the last two years pregnant women were removed from class room. Before that the two pregnant members of staff weren't given class duties as they were due in December so we're out of class for their last three months anyway. I'm the only one who has had to keep a class straight through to my leave and I think the have underestimated how demanding it is.

Am I reasonable to raise this with head? I do feel quite intimidated by her but I can't go experiencing such anxiety and stress if I'm not coping well with it.

@anonanonanon123

Sorry but I don't agree with other posters I think you need a bit of a reality check and to get a grip. You're pregnant, not disabled, and you're 28 weeks, not 38. You still potentially have another 14 weeks to go before the baby comes. I say this as someone also 28 weeks pregnant. I'm a lawyer so I work in a stressful, high pressure long hours environment. At 20 weeks I was in the office till past midnight on a completion with my team. I didn't cop out because I was pregnant. I have also had HG till 24 weeks and now it's back again and I haven't missed a day of work. Sounds like you've checked out already and are annoyed that others got off early in the height of the pandemic just like all the NHS workers who think they're entitled to be sat at home on full pay from 28 weeks just because they've chosen to reproduce.

Good for you. What do you want a medal? Every pregnancy is different and you have no idea how this person is feeling. Get off your high horse and maybe be a bit supportive or leave this board.

I actually think it's quite reasonable for people in third trimester working in NHS with high exposure to Covid to be concerned. There are clear links between covid and premature birth.

It is quite contrary if one trust is sending employees in that position to work from home to protect them whilst others are being told it's fine to work under the same conditions. I can understand why such different guidelines and mixed messages would cause anxiety and confusion.

In my experience NHS staff, especially frontline staff such as nurses are dedicated and highly undervalued and underpaid. The last thing I would call any nurse is entitled. Yet it seems if they so much as voice their concerns, no matter how valid, some people are ready to vilify them.

Haven’t read the whole thread but LOL at you thinking that teaching isn’t a physical job. Especially in primary.

@JustWonderingIfYou

I’m sorry, but work isn’t ‘expecting too much’, your employer is expecting you to do the job you’re being paid for.
If you feel that you are unable to do so because you are unwell, then of course you need to be signed off - you can currently self certify for 28 days before you need a note from your GP. You can also begin your maternity leave from 11 weeks before your due date.

@MatronicO6

I actually think it's quite reasonable for people in third trimester working in NHS with high exposure to Covid to be concerned. There are clear links between covid and premature birth.

It is quite contrary if one trust is sending employees in that position to work from home to protect them whilst others are being told it's fine to work under the same conditions. I can understand why such different guidelines and mixed messages would cause anxiety and confusion.

In my experience NHS staff, especially frontline staff such as nurses are dedicated and highly undervalued and underpaid. The last thing I would call any nurse is entitled. Yet it seems if they so much as voice their concerns, no matter how valid, some people are ready to vilify them.

The link is with women who have not been vaccinated. Pregnant women are strongly urged to have all their vaccinations.

@MatronicO6

A lot of people have misinterpreted my issue. The too much that work they are expecting are actually additional duties. Tasks that are being added to my workload and timetable unexpectedly and usually last minute and on a whim.

I am happy to stay working till my chosen maternity date, I would go stir crazy being off and I enjoy my actual job. But I think it is reasonable that they fulfill the expectations of the council policy on pregnant employees and my risk assessment and get the same treatment as my pre covid colleagues got. Which is a reduction of all the extras outside the class teacher role and transition support.

I also want to point out that one person's pregnancy does not define all women's pregnancies. Your ability to carry on work as your pregnancy is fine does not mean all women are the same. I actually feel like someone who will be able to work quite late in the conditions my employee guidelines set out. But all women's pregnancies are different and I'm shocked by how many people on here would be so judgemental and harsh towards women who may struggle.

Thanks to all those who replied in kindness. I am meeting my head tomorrow to say no to all the additional things and ask about the transition support. I'm also in regular contact with my midwife for monitoring. Hopefully everything will work out and I will be a bit healthier and happier for the next ten weeks.

Unfortunately original post makes it would like you want to be treated differently from other staff in that you expected to have a reduced workload because of your pregnancy. Of course you shouldn’t be given ADDITIONAL duties, but neither should you automatically have your regular duties reduced. That’s how your post came across to me initially.

I’d speak to your Head, explain that the extra duties you’re being asked to do are meaning that you’re becoming unwell and as such you will be sticking to working to your directed time hours for the remainder of your pregnancy. Don’t go on about what’s happened with other pregnant colleagues during the past 2 years, that won’t help your cause at all.

People posting about being paid to do the job clearly aren't teachers. What "the job" involves changes depending on which school, which HT, who is flavour of the month at the moment etc. There is a core job to do but the OP is being asked to do things that not all staff are doing.
I know this won't apply OP as Covid is over in England I hear, but if you worked where I do you would be working from home in the third trimester.

@Mistressiggi I've rolled my eyes so hard at some responses here. You can tell they have no clue.

There's a never-ending list of things that could fall within the job description if senior leadership want it to. The fact is, so many teachers are over-worked. Recruitment and retainment figures are as they are for a reason. Teachers, in my experience, put up with it for the sake of their students/school/sense of pride in what they do. But when you're pregnant, it is definitely a time to get work into some proper proportion and take care of yourself better than you might otherwise.

@Weredone

LOL right back if you think teaching is a physical job. An active job, sure but hardly physically strenuous. On your feet a lot but no one is getting a sweat on or lifting anything heavy.

I've worked in a job where I had to eat 6000kcal a day not to lose weight and got a 6 pack after 4 months- that's a physical job.

I have also worked in a nursery, running around after toddlers, picking things off the floor- that's an active job. I can't imagine teaching primary involves anymore running around.

@JustWonderingIfYou sure

@JustWonderingIfYou I teach a secondary technology subject and it is very much a physical job, lugging lots of heavy materials around, prepping for classes. Moving boxes of 300 students books around to mark. On your feet for 7+ hours a day. Just because I’m not getting a six pack doesn’t mean it’s not physical

But sure, you know more than me- an actual teacher- having never even taught in a school in your life. I ‘can’t imagine’ you actually have not a clue what teaching actually involves.

@Holskey totally agree with you on this

Any updates op?

I think this thread is so valuable as many will be suffering like you.

Hope you are ok @MatronicO6

@anonanonanon123 wow what a bitter woman you truly are! You definitely seem the sort that your opinion is the only relevant opinion and I would not like to come across you in the real world!

I am an NHS nurse and 28 weeks pregnant and have had to stop work! Not because I fancy a few extra weeks off work, but because it’s much safer for my unborn child and I!
I have been working as a covid nurse for over 2 years now so my risk is pretty damn high and I think I’ve done my fair share of a few long hours and shifts! We as nurses did not in a million years think that we would be fighting a pandemic let alone working in it 2 years later and god forbid wanting to live our lives and reproduce!
We are not entitled people or lazy or trying to be self indulgent. We are putting our babies health first which to me will always be my first priority not trying to earn a I’ve done better then everyone else badge like you seem so desperate to gain!

You can call myself and my pregnant colleagues in the NHS whatever you want but before you do please come and put yourself forward to step in my shoes! It will be head to toe PPE for 13 hours, intubating patients, FaceTimeing relatives to watch their loved ones die, overheating, unable to have a break when required, not being able to pop to the loo to wee or vomit in your case as you have on PPE, unable to just nip out for a quick bite or water when you are trying to do CPR and living feeling sick to your back teeth that you may catch covid every second of every shift!

So whilst I sit back on my lazy self indulgent arse at 28 weeks pregnant and cradle my unborn baby in my stomach I beg of you to come and cover my shifts for me and show us how much of a superwomen you really are!

As the old saying goes if you don’t have anything nice to say…