Work advice

[Scorpio8]

I work in retail and I already planned to leave because of my fibromyalgia. I keep having to get sick note as been really bad. Last time I signed off I was stressed at the beginning of my pregnancy. I can say I am a bit more relaxed now.

I don't think after having my baby I will go back to this job I just can't it's too much because of my health.

Do I just leave straight away when I go on maternity leave? Well I don't know if I will get it. Will it be maternity allowance?

I don't want to go on maternity leave and leave my manager in limbo when I just can't go back. Just let them find someone fill my position. Actually feel sad talking about leaving. I found a job I finally fitted into to and managers are great. But retail too much for my health and baby on top it will be worse.

I would like to go back to work later. But not retail but have to figure that out later on.

Any advice please?
Anyone facing this issue with work?

Don't tell them until you are due back . You accrue holidays when on mat leave

Don’t feel guilty about not telling them. You don’t know yet how you will feel when your mat leave ends. Maybe you will want to go back at least for a short time while you find something more suitable. And if not, I’m sure whoever fills in on your mat leave will be happy to have a permanent role. Or someone else will. People leave jobs with a few weeks notice all the time.

Another thought…. If your managers are great, I’d there any chance they could help you move to a role where you aren’t on your feet all day? Something back-office? Is that a possibility where you work?

@Krakinou

Thanks for your advice.

I don't know if that's possible at all. Within the company there might be other job roles.

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@emma1103

I do feel guilty because it's just not possible for me to go back.

I thought about seeing if I could do Sunday's. Or weekends and normally standing 4hrs is enough for me Althoug by then I will be on stronger pain killers. My oh could take lo.

I know my manager wouldn't want me to leave but I know he and the other manager could leave too. There's a nightmare colleague don't think I can stay with her.

Thanks for all advice will think about. I won't say nothing yet.

I’m currently on maternity leave as I’ve had two back to back so I’ve been on maternity leave since April 2021. I won’t be returning but I haven’t said anything because as the first poster said, you build up holiday whilst on maternity leave.

So when my maternity ends, I’ll be requesting the pay for all the annual leave accrued from April 2021. I don’t feel guilty at all, work has been shit to me and no one ever responds to my emails

@brightnesses

I didn't know all this as both pregnancies before I wasn't working.

I don't know why my manager hasn't done a risk assessment yet. Plus he said he hasn't told.the regional I suppose he was wait until I started telling people.
I spoke to my manager and said I need to tell the other manager. It's all because of safety too. Anything could happen and the fact he not done the risk assessment put me on edge.
Then he said just don't say anything to the others yet.
I wonder why he happy for me to keep it quiet maybe too much paper work. He might need to have a conversation he doesn't want to have.
He been through this before and don't think he wants me to go on maternity and probably say I won't go back. Like I said my manager will leave himself eventually. He knows he goes we are following because of this nightmare colleague.
I do like my joint just the standing and even would see if I could go back but just can't say what will happen. I wouldn't want to leave my baby. I am all new to this work and maternity.
I suppose did expect the diagnosis of fibromyalgia when I first started. Without that the Pregnancy was planned.
I would have gone back somehow it's tricky.
But actually shocked about the holiday part. In fact my contract is 4hrs not exactly great but I have extra two days. Think that gives me extra holidays too. That's why even those extra two days help.
Thanks for your advice sorry for rambling on.

@brightnesses

Job not Joint
This stupid phone

Haha don’t worry I understand you!

Yeah the fact that he hasn’t done a risk assessment yet when you work in retail is quite strange. Especially as you may be in and out of the stockroom or carrying things up and down the stairs.

Definitely do what’s best for you. You may get a new job whilst on maternity or you may go back to your current job. I wouldn’t say anything until you had to make a decision and was 100% sure. Good luck