Overtime

[Mumtobex4]

just a question if anyone has been in similar situation, iv recently found out I’m pregnant and only on a 16 hr contract, I work on average 25 pw, always take on extra hours, iv not told work my situation yet but wanted to know if they could stop me doing overtime once they know as I can’t work alone after 7pm, I know I’m not entitled to it but whole time iv been there iv done more hours than I should. They have offered me a higher contract of 21hrs over 4 days, but I would have to take on an extra day which makes no sense as at the moment I do more than that over 3 days, if you get what I mean, was just wondering if they did stop me doing the extra I could complain at all as I wil be down quite a bit of money if they do, or maybe I could up my contract before I tell them 🤔

Also I have children already which is why taking the extra day on would mean me having to find childcare, the shifts we do it makes no sense to stretch 21 hrs over 4 days, but they won’t give me that contract over 3 days, they only have to look and see I do more than that every week over 3 days

Why can't you work alone after 7pm?

They only have to give you your contracted hours unfortunately

It’s a betting shop so it’s a choice to work alone but they don’t let you if you’re pregnant, but that’s how I get the extra hours in, by workibg alone, no one wants the lates, I’d still have to do them but I’d become useless cos they’d need 2 all the time 🥴 I’m thinking I’m prob best upping my contract, least I know it wouldn’t be forever and my maternity would be better, but it’s if they let me do that once I tell them

Personally, I’d up the contract as you’ll lose the overtime otherwise. Depending on their maternity pay, I’d keep quiet until the last possible moment, as normally it’s worked out on your last XX months pay, so if you’ve managed to get overtime in there still, you’ll get more.

If there is no good Health and Safety related reason for banning pregnant women from working alone, such as heavy lifting being involved which they would need another person to do, surely it is discriminatory? If they are happy for you to do it when not pregnant, what is the reason you can't do it when pregnant?

Yes, was thinking say nothing as long as I can, the reason you can’t work alone pregnant is incase you get robbed, they don’t care any other time 🤷🏼‍♀️

Speak to ACAS about the working alone and changing your hours. They will give you good free advice on how to handle the situation.

In the meantime you are under no legal obligation to tell your employer you are pregnant until you are 25 weeks.

Thank you, I will look into that and at the mo, that’s good to know, I’m only 8 weeks so I’ll wait as long as I can before I tell them, unless it’s obvs 😁

So it's ok if you get robbed if you're not pregnant? 🤔

That's a ridiculous rule and is discriminating against pregnant women (or pregnant men )

Basically yes, I know, makes no sense really, should always be 2, it is a choice to work alone, I feel quite safe by myself tbh, plus it’s where I get my overtime, there’s no heavy lifting or anything like that so I would be ok, but know soon as I tell them I’ll lose them extra hours