Don't feel safe at work!

[Linzilooloo]

Hi all,
This is my first post ever here - hoping to get some reassurance or support at least.

I'm in my 8th wk of my first pregnancy and I'm a teacher. Behaviour is SO bad I find my adrenaline going about 3-4 times a day... I even got locked in my own classroom by two horrible 16yr old boys last week. It's stressful and although I can usually handle it - I can't/don't want to! Not being in the early stages of a much wanted pregnancy.

I don't feel safe working in this school. I know I could get signed off for stress (at least I think I could)... but will this affect my maternity pay? How much time can you take before you mess up your rights? I've spoken to management but there just isn't the support I need.

It's 3.43am and I can't sleep for thinking about this. :/ Can't be good for my baby.

Any advice welcome.

xxx Looloo xxx

Hi - didn't want to read and not post.

I am a teacher (but hopefully not returning to class teaching) and know exactly where you are coming from. Although behaviour related safety wasn't an issue when I was pregnant, I have worked in schools where it certainly would have been. None the less, there were other issues which caused problems during my pregnancy and I did end up having a period of absence from school.

A few thoughts:

Insist upon a risk assessment ASAP.

Are you in a union? Contact your rep for advice re maternity pay.

Can you ask for certain classes to be removed from your timetable?

Is your classroom isolated? This is not safe in pregnancy. Can you do a swap?

Unfortunately, I warn you now, none of this will endear you to your colleagues - but you probably knew that!

Go to bed. You need the rest.X

Your mat pay will only be effected if you only get SSP during sickness otherwise if you continue to receive full wage (assuming teachers would) then you'll get SMP as before.

You need to tell your line manager that you are pregnant (if you haven't already done so), they are then obliged to do a risk assessment for your role and make any necessary adjustments. If they are difficult about this go to your union, you will probably have to get a bit arsey about this, but things will only get worse if you don't get this sorted out now. Branchingout has given you some very good advice, sadly she is right about this not endearing you to your colleagues but your health is more important. You could ask to get signed off but it might affect your pay, and it isn't really dealing with the issue. Also, you might want to keep that option back in case you really need a break later on in your pregnancy. Good luck