I'll try make this as short as possible!
I work for the public sector and have been there 7 months. There is a 12 month probationary period.
When I started my manager had a 1-1 with me and went on about how family friendly they are, gave me her mobile and email address and said if there are any issues at all to contact her. Luckily I didn't have to do this until recently.
In January my son got chicken pox whilst visiting his father on the other side of the country. His father looked after him for the first few days but by then he'd been away from me for 2 weeks. I discussed this with my manager with a view to taking some force majeure leave but he said as I have annual leave left I have to take it as that. She was really supportive and said to take as much time as I need and to apply for the leave when I get back as I wasn't sure how long I'd need. In the end I was off for 7 days. I expressed my concern that I wouldn't have a lot of leave left nearer the end of the year and she reassured me that if it was required I could have unpaid leave. For clarity we get 30 days leave a year and the year starts in January.
This is where things change. I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant the same week I came back from looking after my son. I have had hyperemesis but still managed to come in to work most days however had to take a few mornings off - as annual leave - that she TOLD me to take. I ask I utilised my flexi hours during this time as I was so ill- I was NEVER over the hours allowed.
I also had to attend EPU because of bleeding and the day of my appointment she told me to wait until I am back to apply for the leave and that antenatal apts are covered. I ended up being at EPU for the day. It was then put in as a days antenatal clinic.
A few days later I was called in to discuss this and my flexi hours. It was put to me that I can't have a full day antenatal. I didn't argue this and said I just put in what I was told to! They then spoke of my flexi hours and said as I am on probation I need to always be in plus - this was never communicated before. In fact at my first chat it was said that we manage our own clocks and once we are not over the time allowed there is no issue. I let this go and worked my clock back up as best I could.
I'm sorry for this being so long.
The catalyst was Friday. I go on maternity leave the end of August so with what happened in January along with me having a week off in May and the time off for when I was sick I have 8 days leave left. However this is from June to August so plenty of time.i also have 13 days flexi left too.
My manager called me in as I had to take Tuesday off at the last minute as my son was unwell - this was the first time he's been unwell since January. There are plenty of mums In my dept who take time off for the same reasons and nothing has ever been said. I get called in and basically reprimanded for not applying for leave in advance and the fact I have only 8 days leave left. I explained that I took leave in January as she told me due to my son having chicken pox. She completely backtracked and said well u won't pass probation with only 8 days leave left. In the next breath said she loved my work and had one of the best work ethics on the floor! I also said that I have never not applied for leave in advance before and she said I do it every couple of weeks. I was able to prove this as untrue using our clock system. She then points at my bump and says we'd also be concerned with your arrangements once u have a second child. At this stage I was speechless.
As far as I am concerned I have done absolutely nothing wrong. She has said there is no problem with my work. The concern is I've not a lot of leave left - despite me having 8 days left for 3 months and 13 days flexi too! Surely my leave is mine to do as I please? It just seems since I've been pregnant she is picking on every issue. Nothing is said to anyone else and in fact another girl is pregnant and due in September and has 10 days leave left!
Can someone please tell me if I am wrong here? I have requested an off the record meeting with my union but this is stressing me out, I'm unable to sleep or eat much and I'm not coping very well. I gave up a well paid career in the private sector to work here and now regret it.