Work stress too much

[eausolovely]

Hi there, totally new to this and have never posted so sorry if this is the wrong place!

I'm 26 weeks pregnant and since becoming pregnant the whole COVID 19 thing happened and my work have put more than half my team on furlough (we can all work from home so not sure why). This has meant the 5 people left have had a massive increase in workload and pressure.

Now im grateful to still have a job but I'm really worried about how this level of daily stress may be affecting the baby and I don't want to do anything to hurt him. I have tried voicing this to work as well as all the other people who are left who have repeatedly raised how stressed we all are but nothing is being done to bring people back. I have an appointment with my midwife tomorrow and was going to ask her to write me a letter, is this something they can do? I don't want to ask too much of her but I'm exhausted and can't do this much work any longer.

Any advice people have is welcome!!
Hope you have a lovely day
Megan x

Subject:
Work have upped pressure since becoming pregnant

Message:
Hi there, totally new to this and have never posted so sorry if this is the wrong place!

I'm 26 weeks pregnant and since becoming pregnant the whole COVID 19 thing happened and my work have put more than half my team on furlough (we can all work from home so not sure why). This has meant the 5 people left have had a massive increase in workload and pressure.

Now im grateful to still have a job but I'm really worried about how this level of daily stress may be affecting the baby and I don't want to do anything to hurt him. I have tried voicing this to work as well as all the other people who are left who have repeatedly raised how stressed we all are but nothing is being done to bring people back. I have an appointment with my midwife tomorrow and was going to ask her to write me a letter, is this something they can do? I don't want to ask too much of her but I'm exhausted and can't do this much work any longer.

Any advice people have is welcome!!
Hope you have a lovely day
Megan x

Hi Megan.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

People aren't being brought back from furlough because then your employer would have to pay them wages. As it stands the government is paying, so big savings for your employer. Sadly I think the majority of companies have increased the workload of their staff that haven't been furloughed rather irresponsibly. That wasn't the way furlough was meant to work but it is the most simplistic view.

I wouldn't imagine your midwife will write a letter however she will be able to arrange a sick line for you.

This is how many employers are using (abusing?) furlough.

I am in a small team, and have been furloughed since April - not my choice. The others have been working flat out to deal with the workload in my absence, as are other teams. Company are being very upfront that they are doing this to save money and maximise the monthly furlough claim - at least they are being honest about it! I know they had to get the scheme up and running in a hurry but it is too open to misuse. Lots of money being siphoned from the taxpayer to directors and shareholders. It was ever thus.