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Original poster

Pregnant and now work are stopping work from home flexibility

154 replies

DD0923 · 26/02/2023 10:31

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with flexibility of working from home being taken away? We have been able to work flexible between home and office since covid, now they are switching the rules back to basically pre covid. We are no longer allowed to WFH if feel unwell for any reason, you have to take the day off sick.

I'm half way through my pregnancy so I am torn between just sucking it up and getting on with it as I don't want to raise any negative attention before I go on mat leave but equally I am now full of worry about days when I am struggling with the commute, or having toilet problems and the toilets are horrible in the office so just want to be at home to use my own toilet.

I can do 75% of my job from home but I do need to be in the office for the rest. I just feel on edge now to have the option taken away, I'm constantly exhausted still and the wfh days I have been doing have been a god send.

Anyone have any similar experience or any advice at all please?

OP posts:
DrMarciaFieldstone · 26/02/2023 10:33

We are no longer allowed to WFH if feel unwell for any reason, you have to take the day off sick.

This was never what WFH is for in my organisation. WFH needs the same ability and attention as working from the office.

DrMarciaFieldstone · 26/02/2023 10:34

There would be some flexibility for pregnancy, on a discretionary basis.

HippeePrincess · 26/02/2023 10:36

You’ll have to use sick leave like anyone else who works outside the home if you’re not well enough to go to work.
why are you anticipating “toilet troubles”? That’s not normal. And exhaustion is worse in first trimester and then the very last few weeks, anything more than that I think you need to see the midwife or gp as you may have something else going on such as anaemia or GD.

missfliss · 26/02/2023 10:37

Sometimes you can absolutely be well enough to work at a laptop but not well enough for a stressful commute by public transport or bike / foot - long drive.

I get this, it's not about less productivity just about the energy required to physically move versus quietly work

drpet49 · 26/02/2023 10:42

missfliss · 26/02/2023 10:37

Sometimes you can absolutely be well enough to work at a laptop but not well enough for a stressful commute by public transport or bike / foot - long drive.

I get this, it's not about less productivity just about the energy required to physically move versus quietly work

This

WombatBombat · 26/02/2023 10:43

I’d ask for them to redo your risk assessment.

Pregnancy-related illness isn’t counted the same as sickness. If they have any sense, they’d continue to allow you & other pregnant women flexibility, it’s certainly what OH would advise.

BernadetteIsMySister · 26/02/2023 10:47

This is honestly one if the worst things to come out of covid- this outrage that a company has dared ask their employees to actually come to work.

Theunamedcat · 26/02/2023 10:48

They are scoring an own goal making people go off sick you might be well enough to get work done from home instead they will be getting no work done at all

Original poster
DD0923 · 26/02/2023 10:50

HippeePrincess · 26/02/2023 10:36

You’ll have to use sick leave like anyone else who works outside the home if you’re not well enough to go to work.
why are you anticipating “toilet troubles”? That’s not normal. And exhaustion is worse in first trimester and then the very last few weeks, anything more than that I think you need to see the midwife or gp as you may have something else going on such as anaemia or GD.

I didn't mean this post to come across just about sickness. It's the flexibility they've taken away plus they've added in that we are not allowed to WFH if we feel unwell (so anyone who is coughing or has an infection or anything that doesn't prevent them from working, but one wouldn't like to be sat in an office spreading, would need to just not work!) it's ridiculous and if there was a deadline involved it would cause mayhem

OP posts:
StJulian2023 · 26/02/2023 10:50

Theunamedcat · 26/02/2023 10:48

They are scoring an own goal making people go off sick you might be well enough to get work done from home instead they will be getting no work done at all

This.

Mindyourfingers · 26/02/2023 10:50

I think this is happening in a LOT of companies. I know on here everyone says they are more productive at home, but I’m not sure this is always the case.

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 26/02/2023 10:50

missfliss · 26/02/2023 10:37

Sometimes you can absolutely be well enough to work at a laptop but not well enough for a stressful commute by public transport or bike / foot - long drive.

I get this, it's not about less productivity just about the energy required to physically move versus quietly work

This, plus, if you have a cold or something else that's infectious, you're passing it on to all and sundry if you go into the office.

Original poster
DD0923 · 26/02/2023 10:52

HippeePrincess · 26/02/2023 10:36

You’ll have to use sick leave like anyone else who works outside the home if you’re not well enough to go to work.
why are you anticipating “toilet troubles”? That’s not normal. And exhaustion is worse in first trimester and then the very last few weeks, anything more than that I think you need to see the midwife or gp as you may have something else going on such as anaemia or GD.

Because I have been having awful toilet issues on and off. 1 day last month I couldn't access a toilet in the building and was in agony, this does not make me in any way incapable of doing my job!

OP posts:
Original poster
DD0923 · 26/02/2023 10:53

missfliss · 26/02/2023 10:37

Sometimes you can absolutely be well enough to work at a laptop but not well enough for a stressful commute by public transport or bike / foot - long drive.

I get this, it's not about less productivity just about the energy required to physically move versus quietly work

EXACTLY!! Thank you. I think I may have got the wrong concern across on this as all the other comments appear to not be with me

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 26/02/2023 10:55

Try and negotiate say two days a week wfh. And they should be providing adequate toilet facilities. What a nightmare.

DD0923 · 26/02/2023 10:56

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FirstFallopians · 26/02/2023 10:57

missfliss · 26/02/2023 10:37

Sometimes you can absolutely be well enough to work at a laptop but not well enough for a stressful commute by public transport or bike / foot - long drive.

I get this, it's not about less productivity just about the energy required to physically move versus quietly work

Exactly this.

I’ve had a bad 12 months with my sinuses, and my firm’s flexible working arrangements mean I’ve only had to take two days off sick, as opposed to 8 or 9 if I was expected in the office.

Mindyourfingers · 26/02/2023 10:57

I’m with you to a point, but I do think that - and this is in no way aimed at you - that the main reason companies have said no to WFH is because of people taking the piss a bit. Like I say, this isn’t aimed personally at you so please don’t take it as such!

So in other words if you are to say that you want to WFH because of tiredness/illness then in many ways that proves what your managers believe which is that WFH is ‘easier’ and therefore less productive. Does that make sense?

Re the toilets, that is a building issue as pregnant or otherwise you do need to have access to a toilet. I sympathise though: ours are awful as well and another pregnant woman here!

dickdarstardlymuttley · 26/02/2023 11:00

Check out the Health and Safety Executive guidance on pregnancy.

IneedanewTV · 26/02/2023 11:06

BernadetteIsMySister · 26/02/2023 10:47

This is honestly one if the worst things to come out of covid- this outrage that a company has dared ask their employees to actually come to work.

Exactly. I’ve got staff that now say the bus makes them anxious. Yet three years ago they commuted everyday.

OP I understand your concerns but before Covid pregnant women were expected to go into work. It was the norm. I went in five days a week until month before baby was due.

Mindyourfingers · 26/02/2023 11:10

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This phrase has no place on here IMO.

missfliss · 26/02/2023 11:13

Yes I also went in 5 days a week before my baby was due - and you know what? It was shit and stressful.
I had a 20 minute slow waddle to the train, then Southern Rail removed all toilets on my train for the 50 minute journey - and that was a massive issue. Also I developed third trimester sickness after a break in the second trimester.

I managed it, should I have had to when my job was perfectly doable from home ( and actually would have given me better productivity?)

No.

I have WFH since covid with occasional travel to office as needed. I won't now take jobs that are anything but fully remote with same circumstances.

Luckily I have a job that is cross site and so relies on being on conference calls regardless of whether I am in an office or not, and is entirely 100% doable from home.

Yes this isn't the case for everyone and every situation - but I get so frustrated with the assumption that WFH means you skive.

My employer actually gets more from me because o don't have to commute

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 26/02/2023 11:13

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You had me until you used misogynistic retorts to another poster.

BentleyRhythmAce · 26/02/2023 11:14

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits same. So rude and unnecessary.

OP - if you want some time WFH then you'll have to ask for it, but if you're as snappy and disrespectful in doing so as you were to a PP then you might not get far.

WimbyAce · 26/02/2023 11:14

I think people have got so used to WFH. Pre covid I worked throughout both my pregnancies in the office, commuting each day, the first one was full time. You just have to get on with it really and start maternity leave when you feel ready. A lot of people don't even have the WFH option anyway.

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