Bit F*cked off with work atm.......

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

had a staff meeting for the night staff this afternoon (all 4 of us LOL). Lots of things covered nothing particularly pertaining to me (I think anyhow). When we were asked if we had anything else to say I thought I'd just thank the other 3 night staff for being so fabulous over the last few weeks when I've been feeling like sh*t and exhausted (for those that don't know - I'm 10 weeks pg). Basically they've been doing more than their fair share of the cleaning and domestic stuff around the house - although I've still been getting all the residents up in the morning that I should be.

Manager (who was also there) said "oh yes, I was going to ask to speak to you about that, a few of the staff, including day ones, have complained that your standards have dropped and you've been rather slack". I told her that I was no (thankfully) starting to feel much better and would pull my weight with my share of the work again. I don't personally believe that my 'standards' have dropped - I just haven't been able to do all the 'extra' bits that need doing.

She said that if I was struggling on nights then I'd have to talk to her, and she would consider putting me on days. I'm NOT going onto days

a) there's no way I could get up in the morning for the 7-3 shifts

b) there's no way my wages would cover the childcare costs - DH works from 1pm (ish) until 9pm - and if I was doing the afternoon shift (3-10) I'd need childcare for that.

Basically I feel like they're taking the pss. I worked 50* extra hours last month - because we're so short staffed and I worked extra the month before - and have already worked nearly 20 extra this month........then I get told my "standards" aren't good enough atm..........

Don't think that was quite the correct forum for discussing any "issues" they had with you anyway. It should have been in a 1-2-1 environment, not in front of everyone else.
Do they know you are pg? Also - sounds like some of the other staff are moaning because they've had do do some of theor own work for a change instead of you doing it for them. They've got used to you doing all the donkey work and when you can't, and they've had to, they don't like it and say you are 'slacking'

Iklboo - well it was me who brought up the issue of me not having been pulling my weight with the domestic stuff - and tbh wasn't too upset that it was discussed in the staff meeting - the other night staff are fabulous - and TBH I don't think any of them have complained per se perhaps just mentioned that I've been struggling a bit.

We usually split the job 50/50 - but it's been about 60/40 or 70/30 sometimes in recent weeks.

It just really hacks me off that I'm being accused of letting my 'standards' drop - when infact my standards have remained high (imo) (I've stayed behind late 2 times in the last 7 days to try and get one of the people up that we usually get up washed and dressed). They know I'm pg - told them when I was 5wks. It just seems that my extra effort with the extra hours last month seems to have completely passed her attention.

Wee in her coffee

LOL - I would do if she worked nights - but she rarely, if ever, does.

Hmmm....there's the old "eye drops in the bottle of milk" if you could guarantee only she would use it

(ps - any police people out there please note that I have heard of this from TV and HAVE NEVER done it myself)

Yet

I don't think I'd feel quite so hacked off if this hadn't been discussed IMMIDIaTELY (yes I can't spell it - and no I don't care LOL) after we'd discussed how short on staff we are - especially as the new woman that started end of last week has already called in to say she won't be coming back.......leaving us 3 nights a week short on staff again . - oh and they expected me to pick up an 'extra' night - on the week I'd booked my last 3 annual leave nights.....which gave me a week off (told 'em where to go on that one!).

Go into her office. HOld out your hands

"Count 'em - I only got ONE pair, lady!!"

(ooh I DO have such a happy fantasy life!)

LOL Iklboo.

HRH, they are taking the piss. Ask her for a health and safety assesment since you are pregnant and legally entitled to one. I really don't think you can just change someone's work hours because they are pregnant. That smacks of sexual harassment in my book. And, I agree, I deffo think a one to one conversation would have been appropriate. You may have brought it up, but she could have said (later in the conversation "HRH, can I have a word with you after the meeting?")

not sure I could complain on grounds of sexual harassment.....the only man is the owner - we're an all female care team.......

oh and another thing..........she was asking me if I knew when I'd be going on maternity leave and stuff - told her I didn't know yet.......said she wasnted to know "as soon as possible" for working out staffing....which is fair enough.......BUT I'm sure I read somewhere that I don't HAVE to tell my employers when I'm going on maternity leave until 15 weeks before my EDD.

Also - I'm a bit worried about having a health and safety assessment done - I think my job goes against just about everything in the book - I work nights, my job involves being on my feet most of the night, moving and handling is a MASSIVE part of it, lots of bending etc etc. Now there's no other job I could done in the place that doesn't involve those same things (apart from losing the night shifts which simply isn't an option for me).

What would happen then? I can't afford to take Maternity leave this early and if I did I'd be going back to work by the time the baby was about 3 months old!!!

HRH - your manager is appalling and needs to be hit over the head with a copy of the Employment Rights Act. It sounds like your colleagues are OK but the person in charge has got this "oh no, pregnant woman, what can I do??" panic going on and needs to get over him/herself.

You might want to mention to him/her:

a) you are not obliged to tell them this far in advance when you are going on maternity leave but as a favour you will tell them as early as you can.

b) you hope she/he isn't implying that because you are pregnant you can't do your job because you know that the company woulnd't do anything like that that would of course be discriminatory against you as a pregnant woman

You might want to mention the Employment Rights Act 1996 to them. A lot. I know it sounds silly, but it's amazing how much good mentioning the law does, particularly to people who are getting difficult because you're pregnant.

Otherwise, you could just do what I did and be sick on them.

And of course once again the timing for this is just wonderful......just as I was planning to speak to her about my wages. Turns out (through 'banned' chat about salaries with other members of staff - including my supervisor LOL) that when I signed my contract back in June I should have received a 20p pay rise. For one reason or another I've not found out about this until recently, and decided to wait until we'd got our 'official' payrise in our October pay.......well I got "a" payrise....but now I'm earning what I should have been earning before - so really still not on what I should be.

My manager is such a fickle b*tch that I daren't speak to her now that I've been 'pulled up' about my standards dropping.

darn it I'm still p*ssed off about this.....thank god I'm not working tonight or I'd probably be tempted to call in sick !

Are you staff or contract?

If she pushes you for when you are leaving, tell her the day the baby is born. Then if you are feeling rough 4 weeks before, well just chang your mind with a sick note from the doctor. You are entitled to sick time off, but if you miss work for a pregnancy related illness in the 4 weeks preceding your EDD then they can force you to start your maternity leave then, but not sooner. If you can not lift heavy thing when pregnant (duh!), then I think (and I'mnot sure so get this verified) that they have to give you a more suitable role but they can not go round changing your hours and forcing you to go home against your will.

It is sexual harassment whenever you are treated differently for being pregnant because men don't get pregnant, therefor you are being penalised for being a woman. Of course you must choose your battles. Some aren't worth fighting.

Uwila - I'm staff.

bahh - can't believe I'm sitting around moping about this instead of enjoying my gorgeous DS's (they're happilly 'entertaining' themselves inn the lounge at the moment!).

Re the moving and handling - we're all care assistants - and all care assistants have moving and handling to do - so there's no getting round it really [frown]

hi HRH. you are entitled to a risk assessment, but if you feel happy doing the lifting and working nights etc then don't push it. if you were unable/unsafe to work because of the pregnancy then you would be signed off - don't know what your sick pay is and whether you can afford it. they cannot change your working hours or subject you to any detriment because of your pregnancy - that is automatic sex discrimination (kerching!). hopefully this will all blow over now that you are feeling better, but hopefully this will give you confidence in dealing with your boss. Alternatively, is there any other night work where you live? 24 hour call centres provide a seated and comfortable alternative if you like the idea of talking to people (though it is less caring).

that's what I was thinking sk - I don't want to push it with the h&s assessment....but I still don't like being told that my standards had dropped

here you are Colditz - I guess I'm more p*sssed off at the attitude than actually wanting to do anything about it (can't be bothered to do much about it TBH hardly seems worth the effort) - but you've always made me see the bright side of my work (and home!) problems before now

If you are unable to do your job because you are pregnant (and that means no heavy lifting full stop, because you will utterly fuck up your pelvic floor muscles!) then they have to find you a suitable, same pay, same prestige job. If they can't do that, they have to sign you off on full pay, not sick pay.

You will be amazed how quickly they will realise that they know the law when you show them you do.

Have a H&S risk assesment, use the hoists if hoists are provided and safe to use, if they are not, request a different job that has the same hours. Bending isn't a problem, lifting bloody is!

Give me a few minutes, I will see what I can look up.

colditz - no need to do anything now......you got a downstairs of a house to blitz - and I have to get on too.

Babies due on or after 1 April 2007
Maternity entitlements and responsibilities: a guide - babies due on or after 1 April 2007

This guidance covers the legislation around working during pregnancy, maternity leave, maternity pay, and return to work. The rules which have changed are:

• all employed women are entitled to additional maternity leave (see Maternity Leave section);
• the payment period for statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance has been extended to 39 weeks (see Statutory Maternity Pay section);
• the notice a woman must give if she is changing her date of return from maternity leave has been increased from 28 days to 8 weeks (see Keeping in Touch section);
• optional keeping in touch days have been introduced enabling a woman to work for up to 10 days during her maternity leave period (see Keeping in Touch section);
• we have clarified that all women have a right to return to work after maternity leave regardless of the size of the employer (see Return to Work section).

Risk assessment

Your employer must carry out a risk assessment of your job to find any possible risks to you and your unborn child. These risks might be caused by:

• lifting or carrying heavy loads
• standing or sitting for long periods
• exposure to toxic substances
• long working hours

Your employer must then either remove the risk or remove you from being exposed to it (for example, by offering you suitable alternative work). If neither of these is possible, your employer should suspend you from work on full pay.

*

Discrimination and pregnancy

It?s unlawful sex discrimination for employers to treat women less favourably because of their pregnancy or because they take maternity leave. Such treatment includes things like:

• trying to cut your hours without your permission
• suddenly giving you poor staff reports
• giving you unsuitable work
• making you redundant because of your pregnancy (you might still be made redundant for other reasons)
• treating days off sick due to pregnancy as a disciplinary issue

Your employer can?t change your terms and conditions of employment while you?re pregnant without your agreement. If they do, they?ll be in breach of contract.

I hasven't drunk my tea yet lol

thanks for that (pssst - you've been reading the thread backwards haven't you - don't think the risk assessment bit came in until later in the thread ).

PS - GET YOUR ARSE INTO GEAR AND TIDY YOUR HOUSE

bah. Is now 8pm

bah