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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Work being unreasonable, handed a work place adjustment form & told to get a doctor to look at it.

137 replies

TCrystal · 29/08/2023 12:27

Hi so I’ve returned to work after being off with muscular/skeletal pain for 2 weeks. I’m 28 weeks pregnant and expressed my concern about travelling in rush hour traffic and that i start to get cramp half way through the drive. So asked for 9-5 to be 8-4 instead and basically got told they can’t just accommodate everything for me because I’m pregnant.

I don’t feel safe at work, I work in retail and asked to be moved onto lighter lifting but they’ve tried to get me on bakery which is harder than the department I’m already on. I feel like my head department manager isn’t very sympathetic and she basically told me that I have to work within the business needs and where I’ll fit?

i now feel anxious and will a doctor even look at a form my work place has given me regarding work place adjustments?

OP posts:
Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 06:33

They also want me to go the doctors to hand them these “adjustments” so they can look at it again I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 06:37

Thanks for understanding! I really didn’t think I was being unreasonable, I didn’t even think work could demand you to go to a doctor for advise. I think why I feel this way is because I’ve been let down so far the whole way through pretty much.

the adjustments wrote on the form literally say “Bakery, Shopfloor, Queue busting” if I knew they wanted me to be shoved across the whole shop - which is more demanding I’d have just stayed where I am - my ideal would be just at my own pace, facing shelves/cardboard, able to go to the toilet and stuff when I want.. I’m shocked that people think I’m being unreasonable!

OP posts:
Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 06:42

I don’t think I’ve been clear. They are expecting me to jump from departments - mornings in Bakery then jumping to shopfloor and tills. I don’t really think it’s ideal going from one department to potentially not having a clue what I’m doing every single day. And from the way management have acted I don’t think they’d be very helpful if I say I’m struggling.

As for tills I get one break a dinner break, I wouldn’t be able to get off for a wee.. which I do need more the bigger I’m getting. I’ve literally been told I shouldn’t be stationary - I need to move and have a mix even being stood isn’t ideal.. I’ve done self scan and stuff before it does hurt your back.. I know what’s best for me and they don’t want to listen I’m afraid.. I’m not asking for permanent changes a simple work adjustment

OP posts:
soundsys · 30/08/2023 06:47

To be honest it sounds like they've given you a lot of options! They have to look at reasonable adjustments but they don't have to make a new role/shift pattern if it doesn't work for the business. So if there isn't currently and 8-4 shift filling up crisps and sweets they don't have to create one for you because you think it'd be easier!

BeverlyBrook · 30/08/2023 06:49

OP give the charity Pregnant then Screwed a call for advice. They specialise in advice for this sort of thing. As sadly it's quite common to be treated like crap.

Hobbitfeet32 · 30/08/2023 06:56

How long does the journey take by car?
could you set off earlier to miss the traffic and then have a rest before you start your shift?

Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 07:04

It takes me an hour for a journey that’s normally 20 minutes say on a Saturday morning I work. I do set off early and sit in my car for 40 minutes to try and avoid it. That’s how I know really I need to set off no later than 7.30, it’s more the coming home that’s worse as full of roadworks where I live. I don’t think that it’s on working the day and then having to sit around for 40 minutes to leave again when the problem could be resolved

OP posts:
mycoffeecup · 30/08/2023 07:05

Not appropriate for the GP (not your fault!) - I'm a GP, we're not trained or resourced to give detailed occupational health advice. Supermarket should refer you to their occupational health doctor. GP could give you a 'may be fit to work' note suggesting longer breaks etc but not much more.

Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 07:06

Yes they have given options, they haven’t made it clear what I’m doing though. I think this is where the anxiety is coming in, I’ve been thrown options but expected to do all 3 with in any one shift by the sounds of what their saying. That isn’t what I call a reasonable alternative - I’d have been better staying on just pizzas and not doing hot food otherwise.

OP posts:
Hobbitfeet32 · 30/08/2023 07:10

it sounds like the travelling is a pain regardless of the pregnancy. I’m not sure that it’s your employers responsibility to sort out how you get to work. With all the barriers your putting up you don’t sound well enough to be able to work.

Im also wondering why you would sit in the car for 40 mins if you’re in early rather than get out and go in the cafe or have a stretch given you said being in the car gives you cramps

mummyh2016 · 30/08/2023 07:12

TCrystal · 30/08/2023 07:06

Yes they have given options, they haven’t made it clear what I’m doing though. I think this is where the anxiety is coming in, I’ve been thrown options but expected to do all 3 with in any one shift by the sounds of what their saying. That isn’t what I call a reasonable alternative - I’d have been better staying on just pizzas and not doing hot food otherwise.

No offence but you work in a supermarket, it's not as though you're being led into spy missions blind. Why is it important you know in advance what you'll be doing each day?
When are you planning on starting your ML? You've potentially got another 12 weeks of this. IMO starting work 1 hour earlier a day will not save time on your commute. You'd need to either do 7-3 or 10-6 for it to be quicker as you're still travelling during rush hour. I'm a bit surprised that supermarkets do 9-5 shifts tbh.

IlonaRN · 30/08/2023 07:15

Could you leave home earlier so that you can take a break or two during the drive to work?
That might stop your leg feeling like it seizes up?

Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 07:16

Wow, sorry what do you do for work? It isn’t the point.. I’m going from doing one job to 3.. that’s NOT a reasonable adjustment to benefit me or my safety that is to benefit the business!

how would you like being dumped and shifted around constantly sorry but I find that stressful..

im going at 34 weeks, I’ve got 4 weeks in 1 week holiday and another week in after that then I’m gone. It does make a difference if I set off before half 7 I’ve worked it before 8-4 so I know the patterns in my area hence why I suggested it.

OP posts:
Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 07:17

Hi, I do that anyway and sit in my car waiting to start work. Going home at the end of the day I just want to get home and relax and not sit around waiting to leave, if I stayed half an hour more I wouldn’t be paid for it or I’d offer to do that rather than being sat for ages waiting to leave.

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noaddedsugarx · 30/08/2023 07:19

You seem to have an excuse for everything.

You don't sound well enough to be working really and it seems to be causing you a ton of stress. I'd definitely go to the GP for advice but if they can't give you what you're asking you'd be best to go on the sick.

Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 07:28

I don’t think I’ve an excuse for everything at all. I have a lack of trust in management due to the fact I haven’t been looked after the whole way through at all. I’ve got anxiety because I know what I’m walking into (departments that are short staffed because that many members of staff have left because of how bad they’ve been treated)

1 Hour adjustment isn’t unreasonable and a schedule that’s supposed to be 3 weeks in advance would be fine but I don’t really want to walk into work every day not having a clue what I’m doing. I need some structure just like everyone else has. Everyone is on their own department?

Ive been left with no choice to see a doctor now so all I can do is explain why I feel the way I do I think a lot of it comes down to the lack of trust I have to be honest and how rubbish it’s been recently

OP posts:
Basilthymerosemary · 30/08/2023 07:35

You do seem to have en excuse for every option they've given you- different department, sitting too long, walking to much causing backache, bending being a problem, etc etc.

It isn't up to you to decide what's best- you aren't medically trained. They want a form from the GP which they will probably then move onto asking for OH. It's only right that they offer you alternatives after the risk assessment- why would they offer you before- just because you say so?

If none of the alternatives work for you (or them...it's also about the business) then the best thing is to sign off on SSP.

I'm sorry your pregnancy isn't going smoothly.

Original poster
TCrystal · 30/08/2023 07:44

Surely a doctor will only ask me how I feel and why I feel I need these changes? I’ve got a midwife appointment aswell on Thursday so I’ll be showing her everything they have handed to me.

I don’t understand really why it’s an excuse?? I have said since day 1 the later I go on in pregnancy I’ll want to be on shop floor with light duties at my own pace & help with queues on tills (so I am getting a mix of both standing and sitting) and was lead to believe that this was okay & because we’ve a new manager - the lead manager has basically ignored anything that was agreed and decided I need to go where is short staffed? To me that’s beneficial for the business and not for my safety? That’s why they want it in black & white off a doctor or they would force me into it otherwise. Naturally that’s going to make me on edge and anxious when I know what the job entails?

yeah maybe your right, if that’s the only way I know I won’t be taken advantage of maybe that’s the route I’ll have to take.

OP posts:
Mangledrake · 30/08/2023 08:26

I think you're moving up two different problems.

Things that aren't safe for you and don't accommodate your pregnancy - you need to refuse, politely, with medical back-up.

Things that aren't appealing but are safe in pregnancy, like moving around, short term stints in other departments - you aren't entitled to refuse these things because of your pregnancy.

Now, if you have clinically diagnosed anxiety, whether related to the pregnancy, work, or anything else, that's another condition again. GP could document it.

But, be careful. You can't back them into a corner until their only option is your ideal job. They can say no to that.

When you say you know things won't work because they won't be well managed, you are creating a problem. If arrangements work on paper, you need to give them a try until they go wrong. Then you can point to problems.

Get GP to write fit for work so long as breaks every x minutes to move around, freedom to use bathroom at any time, no heavy lifting or bending (for example). Then you need to let managers do their job and allocate you work that fits the bill. You can't just tell them what you want to do. But be assertive about what you can't do, on medical advice.

Think about what you want from this employer. It sounds as if social side of work matters to you. Do you hope to stay with them and get flexible shifts later, around childcare. Are there other employers in the area for you?

Your pregnancy matters and I think this is a bit of a soup - you don't trust them but a doctor can't write a fit note adjusted to allow for that. Focus on getting a clear list of conditions from your GP. Then make them your boundaries and stick with them. That's where you need to be assertive (or decide the job isn't worth it).

Good luck, and do talk to union, ACAS, charities as people have advised. Draw a firm line on the real problems - what's safe for you in pregnancy. Don't complicate that with every other problem and preference. And when they come back with an improved offer, work with them, don't try to guess their motives. These people don't matter to you and your baby. The money does. Keep it professional and expect the same of them.

Mangledrake · 30/08/2023 08:31

Also please think about whether handing the midwife everything your employer has written is a good use of anybody's time. You are making a lot of demands. From this discussion, there seems to be a reasonably clear list of things you need / can't do. Get them on paper. It is absolutely fine for your employer to request this. I would - I'd want to be sure you were fit for work.

If you have that from GP (or midwife), why do they need all the employer's paperwork? If you want GP or midwife to sign you off with stress, just tell them so. Keep things simple. People find it easier to help and work out solutions when you prioritise the essentials.

Mangledrake · 30/08/2023 08:36

And keep your eye on the prize. When you come to the end of this pregnancy, with I hope a healthy baby (and good family support?), are you going to care if you spent a few weeks moving around departments?

Work is a big part of your life, until it isn't. Try to care a bit less about it (as long as you're safe and respected) and focus on what will make you happy long term. Good luck.

mumof1littlebun · 30/08/2023 08:38

I bet it's Sainsbury’s...

IhaveanewTVnow · 30/08/2023 08:43

I can’t see what the problem is with moving around the store doing different jobs. It’s only for a few weeks. Gives you lots of experience, and no heavy lifting and an earlier start time - both you need. You seem to be disagreeing with everything they say. Do t make it difficult for yourself and subsequent women. They are making reasonable adjustments. Why don’t you go off sick….which is that I think you would prefer to be honest. And that’s fine. That’s why sickness is there. Do you get full pay if off sick as that’s another consideration.

Hollyisalrightactuallysorry · 30/08/2023 08:46

I was going to write a similar post to @Mangledrake who I think has some sensible advice

You seem to be mixing up what is safe to do with what you'd prefer to do. You are circling around a very ideal job with a very specific shift pattern that feels unreasonable given the options they have given you

They will of course put their business needs first as long as they feel they are offering you alternatives which they deem reasonable which it sounds like they have.

PickledPurplePickle · 30/08/2023 08:49

If you work in retail, how will the hour time difference be covered by your work?

Have you made suggestions about what type of adjustments you need? Are these realistic and could be made to happen without an impact to the business?