Morning sickness and work

[lill72]

Hi all,
I was interested to hear what the policy is on morning sickness and work? If you were away for weeks with morning sickness -I am assuming they cannot take your job away from you?

I was off work for an entire half term with HG (primary school teacher, it was about 7 weeks I think). I was initially signed off sick for a week, and it just kept getting extended a couple of weeks at a time because I was vomiting up to 10 times a day from week 6 until week 20. The doctors had no issue signing me off, they didn't even make me come into the surgery, just spoke to me over the phone and provided the absence certificates. My head knew from the first week I was off and was fine with it, she even had a plan in place in case I couldn't return for the entire pregnancy. Luckily my sick pay lasted that long, otherwise I think I would have had to drop to unpaid leave.

She then provided a phased return where I came to work for short periods in the first week back to see how I coped with the journey etc. They cannot discriminate because of the pregnancy, it was basically treated like any other sickness. Find out your maternity policy, it should have information about pregnancy related sickness.

Hope yours goes away soon, and ignore ignore ignore all the well meant people who tell you that their sickness eased off if they ate a cracker, and have you tried a ginger biscuit?

Nutella - I am sorry to hear that you were so ill, but also glad to hear your employer was so understanding. Thank you - the info is very helpful to me. I had morning sickness from week 6-20 in m last pregnancy which was hideous, but I was not working. I am thinking of getting pregnant again, so was just wondering where I would stand if the same thing happens, a I cannot imagine I could go to work. I will read the maternity policy.

Yes the well meaning people that say ginger - ah!!!!!!!!! It is so hard to explain to someone who has not had it or had it as badly, just how debilitating it is!!

As long as they know its pregnancy related then you cannot be penalised for it - however you will only be paid in line with your normal sickness / absence policy so check what sick pay you are eligible for.

Also, you may not suffer as badly in a second pregnancy - personally had no sickness at all first baby, been horrendous this time. Have friends who were the opposite :)

Thanks Rockchick1984 - helfpful info. I am hoping I do not have to go through it again. It was horrible!!! Sorry you had to go through it too.