HG and work travel

[Bluskyy]

I'm currently nine weeks pregnant, and have hyperemesis. I had it with my DS who is now 4 but was in a different job then with a more understanding manager.

My pregnancy in general is high risk due to previous surgeries, endo, ando, and previous miscarriages before my DS. I'm on anti sickness tablets to help the sickness, but as soon as I eat anything more than a packet of crisps or drink it comes back up (I can keep some fluids down). So in genral I'm feeling rubbish. The sickness didn't pass with my DS until the day he was born.

I have explained how much I am vomiting to my manager, I ended up in hospital 2 weeks ago with it while on AL I told them about this. Tomorrow I've got to go London for an internal meeting, train to get into London is almost 2 hours then the tube and back. Next week I have an overnight stay (4hour drive each way) and an activity for 3 hours the following day (this is external).

I have a strong work work ethic, and will keep working. But I wfh and I'm petrified of been sick all over myself or someone else while travelling. I also don't think I'll be in a fit state to do next weeks travelling and activity.

Shall I just suck it up and get on with it? If it was someone in my team I would be telling them to wfh and dial in, but they've said I need to be there in person...

I would call in sick and I did when pregnant with hg. At least until you're not feeling awful and vomiting all the time. Your health is more important and hg gets worse if you get tired or try and push through.

They need to do a pregnancy risk assessment. If you have HG, they need to take this into account in considering what is reasonable, and if necessary adjust your responsibilities, possibly with the assistance of occupational health if it's having a big impact on your usual work.

My previous job done a risk assessment, they said they didn't want me travelling until the sickness has calmed down and even then they only wanted me to travel once and a colleague met me the other side - they were very kind.

Current manager is not kind, keeps pushing me to tell people so he can out for my mat cover - I only told him due to sickness / risk of loss.

I'm also struggling with HG and there is no way I can go into work (I'm also WFH but should be hybrid), I couldn't even entertain the thought of travelling for work. I'd 100% ring in sick if they won't change their mind. I'd also be sending your manager the pregnancy sickness stuff for employers about HG.

They legally need to do a risk assessment when you tell them you are pregnant and your HG needs to be mentioned, reasonable adjustments needs to be made base on that.
I traveled on my week 9 and it was an awful decision. I was feeling so so bad. That’s probably why they say don’t travel in first trimester!
Get sick leave if there is no way for you not to do the travel❤️

Is this new job with same or different employer. If same, refer them to risk assessment. If not, they need to do it themselves, properly, and if you don't agree need to challenge and seek an OH referral.

It's with a different employer. My manager made me go in, despite messaging to say I was sick on the way to the train station and I didn't think I could. Make it . What a mistake I was sick on the way, in the office, on the train. I didn't get home until almost 9 and I am exhausted today.

Alls he asked me is when I am telling people , he will be going out for my mat cover at my 12 week scan either way so people will find out - his words (there is only one of my role so will be obvious).

You need to call in sick. It is sickness and relevant. You should also email your manager (so you have proof) that you do not want your pregnancy to be widely known until at least your 20 week scan. You legally do not have to tell employers until just after that anyway.

Often recommended, but visit the Pregnant Then Screwed website for more support on this. But do document everything- sadly you may need this evidence as your boss seems to be a prick. Good luck OP

I'm so sorry, this isn't right at all. If you have HG it is not up to your manager to force you to travel! It could be dangerous if you collapsed and you shouldn't be put in this position in the first place.

Can you contact someone like maternity action or Acas for advice? What your employer is doing is not right so they should be able to advise further. In the meantime I would call in sick/get signed off if you are unable to do the things they are demanding!