Can I legally step dowm my role??

[sarahsbump]

Hi all im wondering if you can help.
Im 19+2 pregnant and working as a betting shop manager,I worked for the company for a year and a half and left after problems over contract and pay for another company and then got talked back after 4 months with a new shop and better pay-I found out i was pg 2days after starting back!! The company were fine about it and all was well.
Now they have opened my new shop and I am the only trained member of staff so am training 4 new employees who are fantastic but the management are being a@%$holes!! they keep on at me over banking and training saying I should be doing this and that but in this shop it is difficult because we are the only 1 in the area and have no support!! It has got to the point where I now hate my job but cant leave!! can I asked to step down a level and are they able to refuse to let me?
thanks x (ps sorry its long!)

They do not have to, but as you are a valued employee (since they wanted you back before), they may well agree, especially if they think you will leave otherwise. I don't think pg comes into it.

Also once you raise the issue in this way, they may find another way to help you.

Your employer does have an obligation to look after your health and safety while pregnant. So for someone doing work involving lifting as an example the employer has to move them to a role with no risks. If no other roles they have to suspend them on full pay (if they have worked there for long enough - I think 6 months). So in your case you could argue that the extra responsibilities are causing stress and that is not very conducive to a healthy pregnancy. Maternity Alliance website has factsheets on stuff like this I think.