working shifts while pregnant

[ScottishSmurfette]

ottishSmurfette

Hey just looking for some advice, ive got a job that involves doin shift work but since i started there 4 months ago ive been doin 9-5:30, once my training is dun in 3 weeks time ill be goin onto shift work which wouldnt be an issue but im 5 months pregnant now and i dnt want to start doin dif workin hrs every week as i feel my body wont adjust to it. I have asked if there is anything that can be done and my manager came back with a 3 week rotation 9-5:30 including one full weekend and one with just a saturday, i agreed to this then he came back to me and said they have changed it and gave me a new 4 week rotation working an extra weekend and longer shifts. I really dont want to accept this and its causing me much stress and depression, im just looking for advice on what to do? Can i go to my gp regarding my hours & days i work?

Hi Scottish, I work shifts in a physical job. According to my midwife I could have asked to be taken off the night shift, but anything other than that would have to be at the discretion of my manager.

I didn't find shifts too bad but I've had nearly a decade to get used to them . What kind of work are you in? It may make it easier to advise you.

Tbh I think you are foreseeing a problem that may well not arise. I have worked shifts throughout both of my pregnancies (starts as early as 7am, finishes as late as 11.30pm), completely sporadic shift pattern. Weekdays, weekends, bank holidays etc.

I dont understand how your pregnancy means you cant work certain days.

If you feel you need assistance with any physical aspect of your job (standing for long periods, lifting heavy items etc) - then speak to your manager about it as these should certainly be dealt with. Similarly (unless in Hospitality which is exempt), you should have a set number of hpurs between shifts (Ive no idea what this is as im in Hospitality so for me it was frequently 8hrs).

I work 12.5 hour shifts and worked full time during pregnancy. To be honest I found it difficult but mainly due to fact it was long days on feet all day and not always proper breaks. I suffered sickness throughout pregnancy though and SPD so that definitely impacted on it. I think if I had been working normal length days and less physically demanding job I would have coped better. As it was I used annual leave to finish at 30 weeks then started mat leave at 35 weeks.

I stopped doing nightshifts while pregnant and my managed was very helpful on that front.

It's difficult to say how you'll be and I would suggest at least trying the 4 week rota. To be honest I didn't find not having set days a problem but then I was already used to that. If you keep well it will be fine, if not then set days probably wouldn't make much difference anyway (sorry that doesn't come across quite right but can't thik how to phrase it- night shift brain!)

You are five months pregnant and been at your job for four months.
Without knowing what type of job you do once you have notified your employer in writing of your pregnancy he has to conduct an assessment of risk and there is no reason at all why you can't work shifts and weekends presuming you are being given days off during the week.
You seem to be panicking about nothing try working the shifts and if you find it is too much then talk to your employer not your doctor about getting extra breaks etc.

I too would see how it goes - I worked 13 hours days and night shifts up to 36 weeks pregnant and it was fine. Of course not everyone is but it's difficult to know in advance. I'd just see how you go through your pregnancy

Hi Scottish,
I was in the same situation and my boss even had me working 6 day working weeks at 24 weeks including a 1.5 hour travel time to get there! Obviously my body didn't agree and I had full contractions during a working shift leading me to need to take a few days off to relax myself - then I was given an appointment with the company doctor who made a risk analysis of my current job and my ability to do it, who concluded that I was only able to work 50% of my contract hours and the work must not include periods of long standing, bending, etc. Your GP and/or midwife should be able to advise you how you can get a referral to this doctor.
Good luck :)

How long will the shifts be? I worked 13 hr shifts when I was pregnant but found it very difficult so I moved to 8 hr days from when I was about 30 weeks. My employer was quite flexible and was happy for me to do this, but if they hadn't have been then I think I would have gone to my GP to request a fit note as I really don't think I could have coped with 13 hour days at that point.

You can ask your GP to write a letter laying out what reasonable adjustments to working conditions you need due to your pregnancy, but these must be reasonably justified, not just demanding the best shifts. There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to cope with a bit of variation in your working pattern but it might well be reasonable to ask not to be given night shifts depending what is required during nights, and to limit your shifts to 8 hours - and certainly you should be taken off any duties that could damage your health or the health of the baby.