Changing Shifts

[Carina92]

Hello, im new to this so don't know how it works.

Im after some advice really.

Im currently 28 and a half weeks pregnant.

I do alternative weeks at work. Earlies on week and lates the next.

One of my colleagues children is ill and she has to visit them at hospital but the visiting times are half 4-8 so she can only work earlies.

One of my other colleagues is on holiday in a few weeks and I have received an email saying we need to sort late shifts out. (Ivw said I cannot do it as my midwife has told me to stick to my normal routine or I will end up in hospital with exhuastion) so we currently dont have anybody who can cover reception on a late shift as the person who emailed me doesnt seem to sort out childcare and seems to think I can work it as my partner doesnt work (he is a carer for his father)

Can my work force me into working a different shift even though I have advised them that it is making me ill and im struggling as it is with my hours? (From an early to a late for 3 days then back onto 2 earlies again)

Ive also just been prescribed iron tablets as im anaemic too!

Thanks in advance x

Would it help just to do lates for the week or two? Then when the person is back from holiday you take a day leave to catch up before you are back to normal earlies?

Shes only on holiday for 3 days. And i wouldnt be able to take the Thursday off and come baxk the Friday. Ive told them I struggle with late shifts due to tiredness too

Could the lady who’s visiting Sick adult children visit at lunch or early evening instead? What time does a late finish? Could she share lates with you? Would be fair that both of you shared than all on you if you are unwell also.

Visiting times are only 4:30-8pm and a late shift would finish at 7:45pm and start at 1:15pm. So only viable shift for her is an early, finishing at 2:30. My other colleague isnt really changing her shifts at all but agreed to work a mid. Meaning she will finish at 5pm instead.

I can't understand why you think late shifts are so bad, surely you can have a lie in every morning unless you have other small children ? Pregnant women in my workplace do early/ late / nightshifts etc.

I have a daughter who is nearly 3 who I have to look after every morning, so late shifts are hard for me... plus the fact my iron levels are low and this is making me tired untop of my tiredness.

It’s only for a short time and it’s only till 7.45. I thought you were going to say a late shift was midnight or later!

The other colleague has changed her hours if I’m reading it right, it’s the nature of the workplace on occasion. Things come up and flexibility is needed.

The annoying thing is is it is not gusranteed i will finish at that time. As I work in a veterinary surgery. So sometimes I may not finish till 9! Then walk home have dinner etc... ive been told I'm making myself ill and will end up in hospital if I continue working how much I am. Plus i wouldnt go to sleep till late and have to wake up at 6:30 to start an early shift for a few days. Its more to the point that im struggling and nobody else will change their shifts it has to be me when ive said its making me poorly... its not for a short while either itll be every other week till i leave

If you are that poorly then you need to consider going off sick then

What does your contract say about changing hours/shifts?

If doing so would mean you'd end up signed off sick, why not pop and see your GP and ask him/her to write you a fit note saying you are fit for work on the basis of your current hours but are not fit to work changing/late shifts.

It's perfectly normal for pregnant women to work shifts finishing that late, or changing weekly but if your doctor thinks that for you this is not possible, he/she may be prepared to state that in a fit note.