Maternity leave

[User1234567899]

Hello, everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I was wondering if I could get some help, advice, or tips.

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant, with a due date of September 28th. My HR department has asked me to indicate when I plan to start my maternity leave, but I'm unsure. I work as a supervisor in a clothing retail store, with a contract for 45 hours per week. My current schedule is from 11am to 9pm four days a week, and from 9am to 7pm one day a week. It takes me almost an hour to commute to work each day.

The job is quite exhausting as I'm on my feet for 10 hours a day, sometimes even longer with overtime. I'm uncertain how long I'll be able to continue working in this condition as my pregnancy progresses. Additionally, the store is expected to become extremely busy from the end of July to the beginning of September due to back-to-school shopping. During this time, my working hours may extend until 10pm or later.

Have any of you been in a similar situation? If so, when did you start your maternity leave? Should I consider starting at 34 weeks, 36 weeks, or even earlier? I don't want to work beyond 36 weeks as I anticipate the workload will become too much to handle.

Have you had a pregnancy risk assessment to see what adjustments might be needed to your working hours to help keep you and your baby safe in pregnancy?
The usual practice would be a risk assessment in each trimester as your needs change.
This is a legal requirement of your employer and might mean you can cope better at work without having to take leave early

Hi, they have done a risk assessment when I first told them about my pregnancy but I don’t think they will change my working ours tbh. I will have to work my 45 contracted hours a week in order for me to get maternity pay. I’ve read the maternity policy where it says that they might be able to give me early shifts so that I can go home early instead of 11pm at night but since it is a very big and busy store I don’t think my manager will. He moans about the only early shift I do a week😫

I am still expected to climb ladder. On my risk assessment he stated that I will have to climb the ladder as it’s not possible to do my job without it but I can refuse whenever I feel that there is a risk? So everyone still expects me to climb the ladder?

I wouldn't be going up a ladder after 24/26 weeks of pregnancy, your balance is affected and its just too big a risk if you fall.
If you can't safely do your usual work in pregnancy (this includes the hours you usually work) then your employer is obliged to give you alternative safer work or have you off on full pay.
Any adjustments to working hours (including reduced shift length) must come at no detriment to your pay or maternity pay (again this is a legal requirement).
It sounds like your boss is taking the piss and shirking your responsibility to keep you and baby safe.

Have a look at the resources on Pregnant then Screwed (they also have a helpline for advice I think) and then ask your boss for a new risk assessment. I'm so angry on your behalf!

You shouldn't be climbing ladders, work is not worth the risk. I would speak directly to HR (not manager) only as he seems like a first class .

It's the law that if they can't offer you your normal work they have to find you an alternative or give you paid leave (full pay prior to mat leave). Worth asking ACAS too.

Are your HR team on site? I would go and have a chat about the behaviours of your line manager. You don't expect to continue working past 36 weeks on the basis of what you currently do, or even with accommodations like working at the till on a stool? What other things could you do? Can you move to an office based role for a couple of months and do rostering, mgmt training, take the calls from everyone calling in sick :)

Bear in mind that if 2 weeks overdue that could mean 6 weeks at home waiting for the child to turn up. If you have only a very short paid maternity leave then that will really eat into it. It might be time to start being very firm about your rights and don't be bullied.

Hi. I work in retail as well and finished at 34 weeks. I've actually taken some holidays that I need to use. At first I felt like it was too early but I'm so glad I did. I'm 36 weeks now and I just don't think I could of managed the long shifts standing / manning tills/early starts on top of the not great sleep. Obviously your own situation with maternity leave / holidays will play a big part in your decision but do what's best for you and your baby

That’s a very long and tiring week in retail even when not pregnant!

I have an office job and felt done at 35 weeks, so I would recommend you finish as early as possible.

Above posters are right, they sound like they are taking the piss with ladders, risks etc. I would recommend you speak to ACAS/Maternity Action/Pregnant then screwed for advice.

I spoke to Acas when I was pregnant and they were really good.

That's outrageous.

In fact I'd go so far to say he is discriminating against you for being pregnant by trying to force the fact you need reasonable adjust made to your job post. In a similar way to a constructive dismissal. He is forcing your hand to not do the duties as required.

You need more early shifts where feasible, not to use ladders ever, and a seated position for some or all of the day as required depending on the week of gestation. This is not unreasonable.

Is it a big company- assume it must be Matalan or similar with those hours and it a huge store. Email to head office HR and ask for advice and for someone to come into store and review the situation

Horribly stressful - or go off sick for the rest of the pregnancy

Aim to work to 36 weeks so last week in August or the August BH taking annual leave then mat leave

But you shouldn't HAVE to start mat leave this early if you don't want to, it's your jobs legal responsibility to accommodate what you need in pregnancy, not the other way around, including adjusting your hours (on full pay).

I also work a 44hr/week on average which means 65 hours in some weeks (and less in others) but I am firm that I don't work these crazy hours in mid-late pregnancy.
My risk assessment for now says max 10hr in a row and I'll probably get that adjusted down to max 8-9hrs in my last few weeks of work.

Hi Op,
HR Manager here 🖐
Your manager sounds like a jobsworth, please speak with HR and ask for another risk assessment with reasonable adjustments. Do not climb up a ladder, your balance is not the same when pregnant and you could easily fall.
I suspect the manager is saying things to you without actually seeking professional advice from HR/Occupational Health, so please go above him before he causes you to either have a breakdown or seriously injure yourself.