Advice please - working arrangements

[Bessie123]

So, I'm 30 weeks pg and was planning to go on maternity leave at the end of Jan, when I will be 38 weeks pg.

I usually have to commute to work 3 or 4 days a week for about 3 hours per day, although sometimes it's faster if I'm lucky. the other days I work in a closer office, which is about 1 hour commuting per day. Months ago, work agreed that after xmas I could stay in the closer office, to avoid the longer commute and so I'm not stranded in the back of beyond if I go into labour early. This morning, they have decided to change their mind and they want me to commute to the further office at least 2 days per week until I go on maternity leave. I feel really upset that they have suddenly changed the agreement we have, and I feel like if I refuse the extra commute they will see me as being 'difficult' and not a team player.

Do you think I'm overreacting and if not, what do you think I should do? I would really rather not keep up with the commuting past 34 weeks but don't want to cause problems at work. All opinions/advice welcome...

Oh, well thanks for your help...

I don't think you are being unreasonable to feel upset. What is the reason they have given? Is it a genuine reason or is someone just being a bit arsey? I don't know a great deal about his I must admit but would your GP be able to help you - the risks of added stress of long commute etc.

Sorry not much use but I do sympathise. I couldn't have coped with that when I was pregnant.

It's because they want the person who will cover my maternity leave to work in the further away office and they want me to be there for the handover. There is no special reason that I'm aware of why the cover should be in that office.

I guess I could refuse on the basis that it will be too difficult for me to manage but none of them have children and I think they will feel that I am not cooperating like I should

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all, but I'm not sure on your legal position. Have they completed a risk assessment for you? I'm sure those are supposed to take into account things like commuting times. Would it help if you alterred your hours a little so you could avoid the rush hour?

hope you can get something sorted

Thanks, Becky. They did one risk assessment around the middle of September. I think they are supposed to do one every 6 weeks but my next one is not planned till the beginning of Jan and (surprise) it will take place in the further away office. I guess I could get a doctors note about the travelling or get signed off sick or something, but that seems a bit unprofessional and underhand. I would like to discuss how I feel with work but I'm not sure how to do it without coming across as whingy and difficult.

HI, speak to your HR department. That is what they are there for. You should be able to discuss all your concerns with them and at the end of the day if they are a professional organisation they will not want to take the risk of anything happening to you.

Yes, perhaps I will talk to HR, Karen; the HR people have children, at least. I will have to be careful that my boss doesn't think I'm trying to undermine her, though, because I wouldn't want to cause friction by doing that.