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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Pregnancy discrimination at work?

13 replies

Bifh96 · 23/05/2022 12:41

I'm 27+3 with first baby. I feel like a total nuisance at work... I work in a nursing home and since I already had sciatica I've found it really difficult/at times not possible to do the heavy lifting, bending down and standing for 3-4 hours straight that is required for parts of the shifts. I've had to change some of the things I do during a shift and have had a few comments and looks from management/colleagues that have just made me feel like I'm letting everyone down.

Management even said they 'can't justify' having me in work if I'm not doing certain things and maybe I should start my maternity leave early. I also explained about the back pain and weakness and why I can't bend down to help clients put on socks/trousers when I'm on my own (mainly because I find it really hard to get back up again), and was asked 'well how do you put on your own then?' and was laughed at when I said my husband usually helps me.

It's not like I can't work as there are still lots of duties that need done that don't require standing for so long or bending down. I feel so pushed out and like I should just put up with it and get on with it. Am I being unreasonable? Should I let this slide and just look forward to maternity leave?

OP posts:

AnneLovesGilbert · 23/05/2022 12:44

Is there HR or occupational health you can talk to?

2022babyhope · 23/05/2022 12:47

I think they can start your maternity early if you're signed off sick due to pregnancy but there's a limit to how early they can start it.

If you've got a HR team I'd check with them 😊 your maternity policy should have some info in or govt website can offer some guidance.

2022babyhope · 23/05/2022 12:48

Just to add I think they're being a bit unreasonable if there's lots of other things you can do like you said.

dementedpixie · 23/05/2022 12:50

They can't start your leave early unless you are off with a pregnancy related illness in the last 4 weeks before your due date

mummyh2016 · 23/05/2022 14:22

Can you get signed off? It doesn't sound like you can do the job at the moment and if your employer can't move you onto admin duties or anything like that I don't realistically see any other option. They can't start your maternity leave until you're 36 weeks if you're off ill.

dementedpixie · 23/05/2022 14:45

Why should she go off sick and likely get statutory sick pay instead of proper pay?

They should do a risk assessment and assess what jobs you can or can't do. If they can't make reasonable adjustments then they could also sign you off on full pay.

dementedpixie · 23/05/2022 14:47

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

Summersolargirl · 23/05/2022 14:49

dementedpixie · 23/05/2022 14:45

Why should she go off sick and likely get statutory sick pay instead of proper pay?

They should do a risk assessment and assess what jobs you can or can't do. If they can't make reasonable adjustments then they could also sign you off on full pay.

Lol at full pay, what a privalaged world you live in, if she’s signed off she will get what she’s entitled to, and it’s likely to be statutory

dementedpixie · 23/05/2022 14:51

If they can't find an alternative job for her then yes, they would sign her off on full pay.

Read the link, it tells you on there

She can work so why would she go on sick leave?

devildeepbluesea · 23/05/2022 14:52

If a risk assessment (have you had one) highlights that you can’t work safely, and there’s no other work for you to do they have to medically suspend you on full pay until 36 weeks, when you will have to start your mat leave. Trying to make you start it early is bang out of order.

mummyh2016 · 23/05/2022 17:35

dementedpixie · 23/05/2022 14:45

Why should she go off sick and likely get statutory sick pay instead of proper pay?

They should do a risk assessment and assess what jobs you can or can't do. If they can't make reasonable adjustments then they could also sign you off on full pay.

Because I'm presuming being a carer she is on a zero hours contract. And whilst I am aware they will go off what she earned in weeks 18-25 for her SMP I have no idea how it works if she is sent home on 'full pay'. You can bet your life the employer will try and get away with the bear minimum so depending on how it works she may be better off on SSP.

VeronicaFranklin · 23/05/2022 19:28

You should of had a work risk assessment that deemed what tasks were suitable for you to do and what changes they needed to make to ensure your/your baby's health and safety at work.

Sounds like they are trying it on to me.

They can only make you take ealry mat leave if you are off sick from a certain week and it's pregnancy related.

Hopefully you have a HR team or occupational health you can speak to? If not try citizens advice.

Stand your ground, you aren't being unreasonable at all. Your health and your baby's health are more important than your job xx

Original poster

Bifh96 · 30/05/2022 00:51

Hi everyone, thank you all so much for your support and advice! Just to update, I spoke to my midwife who wrote a strongly-worded letter to my manager explaining what I can and can't reasonably be expected to do at work. I also was assertive for once (I'm usually extremely timid 😂) and reminded them that the company was welcome to suspend me on full pay if they couldn't provide me with suitable duties at work as per the law. Things have been much better - still a very active job, but I haven't been expected to do the heavy lifting etc. 😊 Countdown to maternity leave is well and truly on!

OP posts:

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