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Original poster

Work clothing and pregnancy - work say I'm acting 'entitled'?

25 replies

Babysealion · 03/12/2013 07:39

Originally posted in AIBU, was advised to post in here.
I am 32 weeks pregnant and work in high end retail. I am on my feet for 8+ hours a day at least 5 days a week. I also have SPD.
My feet have swollen considerably and the only shoes I can get my feet into are my black Ugg boots which my manager says are inappropriate - fair enough. However I've struggled to get a decent pair of black work shoes that fit me well and are comfy enough to wear for work all day long so am unsure on what else I'm supposed to wear.
They have begrudgingly let me wear my own clothes instead of the dresses our brand sells but have had comments along the lines of I'm acting entitled and think pregnancy gives me special rights. I have not asked for extra breaks or anything like that - I just want to wear comfy shoes! Has anyone got any advice? Also am I actually allowed extra breaks?

OP posts:

tweetytwat · 03/12/2013 07:43

I read your other thread. What you need to sort out is the risk assessment. That's your opportunity to negotiate extra breaks if you feel you need them.

Bumpiemalumpie · 03/12/2013 07:44

Oh my god op, what tossers. I take it your brand don't do a maternity line?! what would they prefer? the brand looking awful as a pregnant lady is squeeeezing into it?!

as for the shoes, my mum swore but mochasons(sp?)

They seriously need to take their heads out their arse and perhaps design a maternity line?!

PseudoBadger · 03/12/2013 07:52

The risk assessment needs to be updated from a pile of generic tosh to something that's actually relevant to you and the progression of your pregnancy. They need to know how it's affecting you and the impact on your work.

If you're suffering with swelling and tiredness then the assessment should identify measures to address this to allow you to stay at work. For example giving you a chair, rotating your duties so you're only standing for short periods etc etc. Or yes, perhaps an extra break to sit down or go to the loo.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 03/12/2013 08:10

As others have said, you need a proper assessment from occupational health.

If you are signed off sick be aware they can choose to start your mat leave early.

Original poster

Babysealion · 03/12/2013 08:11

Have had several issues with them since I became pregnant - tried to stop me from going for a different job with them that would mean better pay on grounds of my pregnancy, didn't believe that they had to pay me my normal hours even if I missed a couple of hours for a midwife or scan appointment.
I look horrific in their dresses now, I'm not sure customers really want to see someone squeezed into a too small dress! I do make an effort for work - still turn up with my hair and make up done etc, just wear my own dresses and maternity leggings as they're a hell of a lot comfier and easier to put on than normal tights.
I had a risk assessment done at 12 weeks and it was all the 'no heavy lifting boxes or climbing ladders' thing.

OP posts:

Original poster

Babysealion · 03/12/2013 08:12

I don't really want to be signed off sick. I enjoy my job and I look forward to going to work, plus was hoping to start my mat leave fairly near the end to make sure I can stay at home as long as possible. Just have really started to flag this past week, and now I'm being told I have to wear uncomfortable shoes that don't fit me.

OP posts:

flowery · 03/12/2013 08:17

If your risk assessment was at 12 weeks it needs updating, have you asked for this to be done? It's not a case of you being entitled to extra breaks, it's a case of assessing your job and making adjustments as appropriate. That might include extra breaks, but in your case I'd suggest the most important adjustment is likely to be allowing you to sit down much more of the time than you are.

On the other thread you were given loads of suggestions of options for shoes that might look ok but fit your feet/give you support, have you looked into all those?

Original poster

Babysealion · 03/12/2013 08:37

Yes, it's my day off today so am going to go shopping and have a look in the shops people suggested so I can try shoes on.
I haven't asked for another risk assessment, will do that when I'm back in later this week.

OP posts:

PseudoBadger · 03/12/2013 08:39

If you are signed off sick be aware they can choose to start your mat leave early.

Only in the last 4 weeks before EDD...

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 03/12/2013 08:46

If you were signed off sick now then you would be able to have 4 weeks sick and then start maternity leave when you were 36 weeks.

But yes you need to ask for a new risk assessment.

Pennythedog · 03/12/2013 08:50

Have you tried those flight socks. I only mention it because I'm also pg and my ankles get quite swollen. The socks do help.

No idea about the footwear. It sounds hard.

flowery · 03/12/2013 08:50

Ok, so hopefully the shoe thing will be sorted.

The most important thing is your risk assessment. It should be updated through your pregnancy but in reality unless there are specific changes (as there are with you and your SPD), this won't automatically happen. Ask for it to be done again, it will probably show that you need to be seated for much of the day.

When your risk assessment's done, depending on the outcome and what efforts they make to make adjustments, you can then decide how to act. If the risk assessment shows you need to be seated and they refuse, that's obviously a concern you'll need to address.

AnythingNotEverything · 03/12/2013 08:58

I thought your maternity leave kicked in if you took sick leave during the four weeks before you were due to start maternity leave? Maybe that was just policy where I work.

flowery · 03/12/2013 09:03

That would be unlawful Anything. If someone had notified your employer that they planned to start maternity leave at 30 weeks and was ill when they were only 26 weeks pregnant, your employer would not be able to forcibly start their maternity leave.

RubyGoat · 03/12/2013 09:04

AFAIK you're entitled to a risk assessment each trimester.

Out of interest, what clothes size do their dresses go up to? I only ask as, by the time I got to 9 months PG, if I was in 'normal' clothes, I needed a size 18-22, depending what the item was & what shop it was from. Not all shop sell these sizes, & if they don't sell maternity clothes (assume not) what do they expect you to do?

tweetytwat · 03/12/2013 09:05

if you are off sick with a pregnancy related reason in the last four weeks they can start your mat leave. Not if you are off with say tonsillitis.
If they cannot make your job safe they should put you on a medical suspension AFAIK.

Sunnysummer · 03/12/2013 09:06

You got a lot of good advice on the last thread, are you mainly looking for someone to tell you that Uggs are okay?

It must be really hard for you to be on your feet at this point. But Uggs are actually not very supportive in any case and certainly unlikely to be considered appropriate footwear in high end retail - but on the other hand they should be working with you to find a solution, including a new risk assessment. Unless you are happy to be signed off on sick leave and having to start maternity leave early, you probably also need to work on trying to at least look like you want to do your bit and meet them halfway.

AnythingNotEverything · 03/12/2013 09:09

Sorry - I did mean off sick with a pregnancy related illness. I can't find a copy of the policy to check now ...

LucyLasticKnickers · 03/12/2013 09:18

what does your midwife say aobut your swollen ankles? is your blood pressure ok?

expatinscotland · 03/12/2013 09:31

You need another risk assessment.

flowery · 03/12/2013 10:01

That's not really the point though Anything. It's the "four weeks before due to start maternity leave" that jumps out as being unlawful. It's only during the last four weeks of pregnancy, not four weeks before maternity leave is otherwise due to start.

I would imagine it's poor drafting rather than someone genuinely thinking they could forcibly start someone's maternity leave at 30 weeks or whatever.

Original poster

Babysealion · 03/12/2013 10:14

Blood pressure is fine, I think it's just because I'm on my feet for long periods of time that my ankles have swelled up. Feet have also grown quite a lot since I've been pg.

No sunny, not at all, I completely agree they are inappropriate for my work environment and I am trying my hardest to find something better to wear, so hopefully that should be sorted today. A couple of people told me to post on this section, I think mainly re the risk assessment, as I wasn't sure about the procedure. I know Uggs aren't particularly supportive either but for the last week they have been the only thing I can fit my feet into that felt comfortable enough and I tried to explain that yesterday to my manager but she made me change back into my old work ones so when I finished work last night my feet were really sore, so was feeling a bit annoyed about that. I don't want anyone to think I'm feeling entitled to anything, I'm well aware that pregnancy is not a disability or a condition, but coupled with my SPD pain, I just really would rather have been able to wear my comfortable boots yesterday.

OP posts:

PseudoBadger · 03/12/2013 10:23

This page may help when you request a review of your risk assessment. www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/pregnancy.htm

IndigoBarbie · 10/12/2013 12:09

Babysealion, how is your body coping with working, and SPD? If you are on your feet for that long, it can't be helping..One thing I found was fitflops are extremely supportive and my feet were highly swollen during my pregnancy, so if that helps any......but, not to push yourself in any way. It's detrimental to your body. The pain you describe, if you are working through your pain, please, get assessed by a doctor. It's not worth it in the long run to try and do too much (even when you want to).I kept on going in my work and pregnancy, and it probably actually made my recovery a lot longer......best of luck to you x

PrammyMammy · 10/12/2013 13:03

I'm 39 weeks now and on maternity leave.
I also suffer from spd and was signed off work at 26 weeks, I have no idea how you can stand for 8 hours per day with spd at all, despite comfy shoes. I couldn't manage 3 hours when I was signed off, now I can manage about the house. Just!

Shoe wise, my work provide shoes, well we choose the style from a list, but mine were 'Mary Jane' style Shoes for crews. Not stylish if you work in a stylish environment though - I work in catering. But they were comfy.
Out of work, I've lived in a little pair of asda dolly shoes - black patent with a bow, they are versatile and the kind thy would usually have no sole within the fortnight but not walking much means they have lasted since the summer.

Have you had an up to date risk assessment? Are they done every 4 weeks at your work? Whatever issues you have need to be noted in there. Surly your work have had pregnant employees before so know about the dress issues? Don't they have like smocked style stuff they could give you in a size up?

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