Page 4 | Reasonable adjustment for pregnancy?

Aquablues · 2023-04-16T06:44:51+00:00

I am 28 weeks pregnant and not feeling great. I have my risk assessment next week (second of them.) I teach three days a week. On one of these days I register a form group on the other side of the (big) school. I’d like to ask to be relieved from this for the rest of my pregnancy. I don’t like walking back to my classroom amongst the crowds and it’s quite tiring. I’d also like to ask to be taken off break and lunch duty. I think these are reasonable adjustments - what do people think?

potatowhale · 17/04/2023 06:07

swanling · 16/04/2023 20:53

They're not saying that.

They're advising you to articulate specifically what you do need and why, instead of just a list of "I don't want to do... "

"It would be helpful if [form group could be relocated] so that [explanation re risk in corridors].

That's the structure you need. Not just repeating over and over that "I don't want to do xyz".

Yes I agree with this. This is how you need to approach it.

DeflatedAgain · 17/04/2023 06:11

Your GP can give a safe working environment recommendation. I had to do this when my work were not listening to me regarding my pregnancy back pain during my shifts. They had a set amount of time to make any adjustments for me otherwise I'll be signed off with full pay until sorted. Speak to your GP X

abmac95 · 17/04/2023 06:21

@thethesmee but surely OP should just be careful and minimise her own risks rather than expecting to be accomodated because she has chosen to be pregnant! i am pretty sure that is one of the first rules of health and safety!

Op surely knew what her job entailed before getting pregnant so needs to take some personal responsibility.

Augend23 · 17/04/2023 06:26

PinkFootstool · 16/04/2023 09:52

Before you have the meeting, note down the specifics and what you need. For example:

pregnancy related sciatica making it painful and difficult to walk distances. Risk to mum is pain and longer term injury. Risk to baby is minimal unless mum is struggling with pain or incapacitated which could happen if symptoms are aggravated. Control method - minimise walking, particularly from form classroom to regular classroom. That looks like the form being taken over or the form moving classroom instead. School can opt for which they can implement.
moving about corridors at same time as kids is becoming more worrying. Risk to mum is knocks to the belly, slips and trips, being hit even accidentally woth objects or by people. Consequences could include falls leading to worsening of sciatica, risk of early labour / early and unplanned birth and serious risk to health of both unborn baby and mum. Control method - change times for movement around school at key times by moving before or after the kids. Stop the movement between the form classroom and main classroom altogether by the form being taken over it the form moving to the main classroom once a week.
pregnancy related fatigue. Risk to mum is burn out, making errors of judgement, reducing capability for work. Control method - regular breaks required. Duties at lunchtime and breaks will either need to be split up, shared or stopped. Not having a break is not acceptable, and will reduce your capability to work up to your chosen date.

And so on.

Go in prepared, with practical requirements and solutions. It makes it harder for them to refuse you.

I can see this is getting on top of you OP. I don't think the answer is not to request what you think is appropriate, but rather that you need to change how you request it.

The post above is a really good example of how you could support your case.

PurBal · 17/04/2023 06:51

I think there’s been some unhelpful comments on this thread. I went to the tip and was told by the male attendant that “pregnancy isn’t an illness”, that’s true, but not everyone’s pregnancy presents the same. I have a friend who worked to 39 weeks and went on a 6 mile hike the day after her son was born. I also know a woman whose pain is so extreme they’re on crutches. And one who, due to her pregnancy, was in a medically induced coma for 2 weeks (her DC delivered by c section during this time). This “I was fine so you should be too” is unfair on the OP. She is struggling, so let’s be compassionate, it’s not wrong to want to nip it in the bud before it becomes an issue. What makes OP a bit tired now, could make her utterly exhausted next week.

OP I’ve been signed off since 24 weeks with antenatal depression. I’m better in many ways with the support of the perinatal mental health team, but other pregnancy “issues” are coming to light now at 32 weeks. It’s mainly fatigue, I’m napping most days, if I don’t I get dizzy and collapse, it means I can’t really drive (my commute is an hour each way). The midwife says “rest more” and the GP agreed to continue my sick note until my maternity leave starts. I have another child, resting isn’t always an option, and didn’t have these issues in my first pregnancy.

I agree with PP who say it’s worth suggesting what reasonable adjustments you think would be appropriate and why. Good luck.

EmilyGilmoresSass · 17/04/2023 06:53

You don't like walking back to your classroom amongst crowds? Seriously? I wish this was the height of what my employer made me do when I was pregnant. I had to go to my doctor at 8 months in order to gain a seat from a physically demanding job. Otherwise I wasn't allowed.

ttcttc · 17/04/2023 07:02

I think you need to be careful they won't push you into early maternity if you start being awkward over little things. When are you planning to start your maternity and when does tour contract say they can start it?

LolaSmiles · 17/04/2023 07:08

EmilyGilmoresSass
It's not a rush to the bottom.
Just because your employer had to be pushed to be reasonable and supportive doesn't mean other people should have the same battle.
Some employers ARE supportive and want to put appropriate adjustments in for their staff. Really we should expect more employers to make adjustments.

Original poster

Aquablues · 17/04/2023 07:11

I really think this thread is crossing the line into bullying, since I indicated last night I didn’t want it to carry on.

@ttcttc i think if the school ‘pushed me into taking early maternity leave’ (how?) because I’m ‘being awkward over little things’ (I’m not) then that would be extremely foolish, given there are six weeks until the exams and funnily enough, there aren’t a queue of teachers keen to take over.

OP posts:

abmac95 · 17/04/2023 07:16

Aquablues · 17/04/2023 07:11

I really think this thread is crossing the line into bullying, since I indicated last night I didn’t want it to carry on.

@ttcttc i think if the school ‘pushed me into taking early maternity leave’ (how?) because I’m ‘being awkward over little things’ (I’m not) then that would be extremely foolish, given there are six weeks until the exams and funnily enough, there aren’t a queue of teachers keen to take over.

You realised you posted on a public forum asking for opinions.

Its not bullying to be told something you dont want to hear.

I feel that you have a bit of a 'poor me' complex

amiold · 17/04/2023 07:28

Aquablues · 17/04/2023 07:11

I really think this thread is crossing the line into bullying, since I indicated last night I didn’t want it to carry on.

@ttcttc i think if the school ‘pushed me into taking early maternity leave’ (how?) because I’m ‘being awkward over little things’ (I’m not) then that would be extremely foolish, given there are six weeks until the exams and funnily enough, there aren’t a queue of teachers keen to take over.

In my role they can start my maternity early if I can't fulfill my role due to pregnancy sickness/issues. You may want to check it.

It's hardly bullying, come on, you've had a lot of advice and lots to talk about. You don't want to do the things they're asking which is up to you but they seem a bit trivial and like you're using pregnancy as a badge of honour to get out of things. I'm pregnant too by the way and I've said I'll do as much as I can for as long as I can but that's me choice and because I want to utilise mr maternity when baby is here, not before

Noodledoodledoo · 17/04/2023 07:29

Is it a paid lunch duty? At both my schools lunch duty was optional so just ask to not do it, or ask to switch days to not have a day with no breaks.

Ask for alternative locations for duty I was moved from playground to a corridor with plenty of space - switched with colleagues.

Go in proposing solutions to the issues be proactive - x has said we can swap duty locations....,

TheProvincialLady · 17/04/2023 07:44

OP I think you have been very unfortunate in this thread in attracting some very unpleasant posters. Some people can’t bear to think of someone getting what they didn’t have, even if they didn’t want, ask for or need it. It also gives some people a slight thrill to be horrible to someone vulnerable under the guise of straight talking. You can tell they’re that kind of person when they keep doing it even though it’s obvious you’re upset.

FWIW I think the advice to get a fit note from your GP/midwife is good. Also to try to frame your requests by making it obvious that there is risk in continuing with those activities (but you don’t need to write their risk assessment for them). Your employers might very well be perfectly reasonable but you won’t know until you’ve spoken to them. If they aren’t, THEN you can speak to your union, etc.