Opinions on this email I received? Manager seems to be pushing me

[HannahWayes]

I have severe pregnancy sickness, I'm 17 weeks now. My employer seems to be pushing me to go back?

I always update her and send the new sick notes from my GP to her. I keep records of all these emails.

What do you think?

She seems to be treating it as normal sickness when pregnancy related illness comes under a different umbrella

Did you go to the meeting?

The "suitable work adjustments" sounds as if she is following procedure in terms of risk assessments and adjustments for a pregnant employee.

When you say "pushing you to go back", how long have you been off for?

Sounds to me like they're just following normal absence procedures. Meeting would still be to talk about any support they can give, adjustments etc to support you in the workplace. Just seems like a formal template letter.

That is reasonable. Though not normal sickness insofar as it doesn't count towards your sick record, it is normal insofar as they have to do the usual contact meetings as they do for anybody on long term sick.

She's just following procedure.

*meeting would JUST be

I also agree it's reasonable and is following procedure

What are you taking exception about here?

Sounds normal to me. Absence is pregnancy is treated the same way as sickness until a certain number of weeks (possibly 4) before due date, where they can start your maternity leave early (I.e. No longer sickness absence)

Sounds perfectly reasonable all companies have a sickness policy. Although pregnancy sickness is different it still seems reasonable that the look at adjustments that might help you!

Pregnancy sickness shouldn't go on your 'general' sickness record - don't let them tell you otherwise

Pregnancy sickness is exempt from your normal sickness records and you can't be disciplined for it but that doesn't mean your employer won't/can't request a meeting to discuss how you are, is there anything they can do to support or facilitate a return e.g. Reduced hours, specific tasks etc.

Actually I don't think that is great. The OP has presumably already provided fit notes. Also as the OP is unfit due to severe morning sickness it is unacceptable to expect her to attend when suffering from a particularly incapacitating pregnancy issue. The tone of the request is potentially discrimonatory and at the very leastvthere should be a concession that the OP may be too unwell to travel and an offer of a home visit.

HR Manager btw.

Discriminatory

That's only a section of the email though, what does the rest say?

It says she expects me to be there, despite my regular updates of just how sick I am. I cannot travel, therefore I could not attend and let her know.

It's very debilitating so the tone of 'I expect you to attend' or what have you seems a little off.

It's been made clear that not even reduced hours could help me at present. I often can't leave my room.

She didn't reply to me.

I agree with OhTheRoses. The invitation should offer a meeting venue that suits the person who is unwell especially when signed off.

I agree the tone is a bit too ' standard' for a pregnancy related illness - it reads like a generic hr system email - and there should have been an added option for you to have a meeting at home or via Skype even given your circumstances. I wouldn't say it's potentially discriminatory as it stands but if you replied saying my you couldn't attend the workplace for it, requested a meeting at home/skype and then they refused then that is potentially discriminatory IMO but not as it stands. Give them a chance to propose another option.

So you replied saying you couldn't attend due to your sickness? I'd just leave it with them now and see how they progress and take it from there.

It reads like a form letter to me.

In your shoes I'd invite to your home for the meeting. When she has to listen to you throw up multiple times she'll get the point.

That's a standard letter. Her job is to manage you not to be your friend. You need a plan to get back to work, it may not be possible but you need a plan.

I agree with OhTheRoses and I'm also an HR professional.

I would contact Maternity Action for advice and if you're in a Union call them too.

If you're in an organisation with an HR department I would reply back and cc them in stating that unfortunately you are unable to attend and as the fit notes you have supplied have made clear, this is pregnancy related sickness and as such you are unable to attend the meeting due to the incapacitating nature. You will of course continue to update them on the situation and ensure you supply fit notes to cover he full period of your absence and will return to work as soon as you are able to do so. Make sure you keep a copy of any notes you send them so they don't get lost.

If you have not yet seen a copy of the specific pregnancy risk assessment they have produced for you I would also ask for a copy. It shows you mean business and might also prompt them to look at their obligation and responsibilities.

Inviting you to a meeting they know you cannot attend is dubious.

Also pregnancy sickness should be managed in the same way as other sickness. However you cannot be dismissed or disciplined for it. Please tell me you weren't thinking you could be off for months without engaging with your manager beyond sending in sick notes?

*in case they get "lost"

The main problem, for me, is the first line. I think people associate formal, in that context, with a disciplinary process which they shouldn't be following.

Surely they should be having a conversation with you about if there's anything they can do which will help you to return to work. It sounds like the answer is no but a good employer would ask.

There is nothing at all to suggest op needs to go all "maternity action and union" about this yet as nothing too untoward has happened apart from a generic looking email being sent. I think op should just see how they respond. It's entirely possible the manager has gone to HR with ops reply for some advice on how to manage this and HR arr now going to be involved in whatever action, or not, is taken.

How did you respond to the suggestion of a meeting? If you have off for several weeks it is not unreasonable for them to engage in a discussion about potential adjustments towards enabling you to return. Do you have access to occupational health? Are you being paid in full atm because you are starting the period upon which smp is calculated.

If you are unable to travel, one such adjustment might be meeting via the phone or internet.