Help

[AraW]

Hello all. New here so please bear with me. First trimester in first pregnancy and struggling with nausea and fatigue. I work a demanding job in professional services and need to find a way to avoid having to commute to the London office (never get a seat, feel hideous, and am anxious about picking up viruses on the train and tube). I can do my normal job remotely and accept that I’ll just feel vile, I just can’t face the commute (over an hour each way) and being around colleagues all day while feeling like this. Is there any way to avoid commuting without having to disclose to an employer at this stage? Does anyone have experience of a similar situation?

Hello.
You must disclose your pregnancy to your employer so that reasonable adjustments can be made for you.
The other option would be to get a fit note and have some time off sick.

If nausea and vomiting are a big problem, do go and see your doctor. There are plenty of medications which can be prescribed.

Thanks but it’s just too early to disclose for various reasons. Appreciate the reply though :)

"Is there any way to avoid commuting without having to disclose to an employer at this stage?"

How would you avoid commuting for another reason? I mean either there's another true reason you could use, or there isn't. If there isn't you either disclose or keep commuting.

Be aware though that none of the protection that is legally applicable to pregnant woman at work, will be applicable until you have disclosed. You need to tell your employer by 15 weeks before your due date legally. If you do not do it by this point your right to maternity leave could be affected.

Like others say, you only get those legal protections if you disclose. Any other way will be down to pure luck, their discretion, or something like you making stuff up which I would not recommend. I would suggest you front up and tell them.

Thanks all. I understand the legal requirement to disclose by a certain point. I’m a long way from that point (and don’t want to make them aware yet given likely implications for my career) which is why I ask if anyone has any practical suggestions on how to manage meanwhile.

The only practical suggestions are to wear an I AM PREGNANT badge (which you can get easily) and ask someone to give you a seat in the tube.

The other suggestion is to get some medication for nausea from your doctor.

You know they can’t discriminate against you if you’re pregnant, right? Not saying it’s straightforward, but you’re more protected. What if they suspect but you’ve not disclosed? They could get out of anything by saying they didn’t know.

@ButterPiesAreGreatYes I know. In principle. In reality maternity-related discrimination happens all the time.