Reducing hours while suffering from pg related illness.

[pavlovthepregnantcat]

I am 13 weeks pregnant, been off for 3 weeks with hyperemesis, and feel currently that this might be continued for a bit longer.

Things are improving. But very very slowly.

I would like to return to work. But can't see it right now doing my normal 32 hours in 3.5 days (compacted hours).

However, I feel that I could manage a few hours a day. And wonder whether this might even help me get over this difficult patch, as I might be able to keep my mind of being sick all the time. I am currently going crazy at home, and am obsesses with eating/not eating right now.

I have asked boss to consider adjusting my hours for a while to help me return to work, and to stay at work. She agreed this needs to be looked at as part of the risk assessment which needs completing when I return.

What I want to know is, if it is agreed and I do shorter hours, will I be expected to have my pay reduced accordingly? H&S officer said adjusted hours for sickness is not a reduction, but an adjustment to aid return to work and thus no reduction in pay is expected. Is this correct?

When I say I think I can manage a few hours a day. I am not sure if I can at all! But would like to try something at least, get me out the house.

Not sure about the specific employment policies relating to this but I did exactly this.

My (very good) GP wrote a letter explaining to my employer about the hyperemesis (explaining it was a serious illness as some employers think it is just being a bit sick) and setting out the hours she felt it was advisable for me to do.

I found it did help me to get out of the house once I was able although I wasn't really up to my normal work.I also had reduced workload in the time I was there agreed.Did less than 1/2 my normal hours (so 3 1/2 hours fo 3 days) and 1/2 my normal workload and this was all I could actually cope with despite being on medication.Have you thought about getting in to work as this was difficult for me as I struggled with driving and my husband ended up driving me to and from work every day.

Work just sorted it out once I gave them the letter as it was difficult IMO for them to go against medical advice in pregnancy particularly where there is more legislation to protect you at this time.I was paid my normal wage for the whole period and no-one questioned this.

Poor you - hyperemesis is awful.As you say things will start to improve but it takes alot longer than normal pregnancy sickness - no magic 12 weeks.
I too felt I was going mad at home just me (dh out at work) and nausea/sickness and while it didn't go away at work I did see some different 4 walls for a few hours.

I don't know what the policies are around these types of adjustments. If your H&S officer said there would be no reduction, he/she is fairly likely to know correctly I would have thought. Have you had this approach recommended by your GP or by occupational health or anyone? Getting a medical recommendation for a phased return would certainly help.

There's certainly no legal obligation for your employer to pay you the same salary even though you are doing fewer hours, although clearly in your case it would seem like a sensible approach, as presumably otherwise you will stay off sick, which presumably they don't want. What kind of level of sick pay do you get?

Talkingbook - that is very interesting. I should talk to my gp about it, as I know he would not hesitate to sign me off further next week if I am not able to work, he might consider writing a letter too recommending return for less hours. With the reduced hours, were you able to stay at work for the duration of your pregnancy? Getting to work would not be a problem really as I work 20 mins walking distance, 10 mins on the bus 5 mins by car, and DH is not working right now, so he would drive me in if I am not able to get the bus, and getting home, there is usually some-one heading out for a meeting/shops/home visit or similar who can take me if DH does not want to come get me! I agree too that if I am not going to get better quickly, it would be good for me to get out of my pit once in a while at least. But I wont be able to run the groups i normally do, for sure, there will be plenty of paperwork for me to do though no doubt! You are right though, my boss did (probably still does) think it was just a bit of sickness in the morning only 'if you do the afternoon group, you should be fine, as you will have time to recover from being unwell in the morning'!!!

Flowerybeanbag - my sick pay is good. full pay for 6 months, half pay for 6 months. And I also have 6 weeks leave I have not even touched so if i was not able to return to work at all before baby was born finances would not be an issue.

It makes sense for them to consider it, as they are already understaffed, and me at work for a few hours a day is better than not at all, seeing as I am being paid regardless. I personally think it is in everyone's best interests all round to allow it (including mine!), so i shall chat with my gp on monday.

thanks for the advice

(in fact, i have more than 6 weeks leave just realised, 34 days!!! wow! that is like 8 weeks, seeing as I work 32 hours. I have less time at work than I realised )

I was hospitalised last year for 6 weeks with hyperemisis, then signed off for a further two weeks. When I was due to go back, my employers insisted that I went back part time - 2 half days a week, building up half a day a week until I was back up to full time after about 8 weeks. I also had to speak to our Occupational Health people once a week, and at one point they told me they thought I'd done too many hours and to cut down. They put a nurse who had also worked as a midwife in charge of my case, who also spoke to my community midwife. I felt very loved and cared for!

All this on full pay! I get 3 months full pay, which reduces by 25% every three months for up to a year.

When I returned to work, I was put onto office based activities only, and was allowed to do any travelling by first class train!

I do appreciate though that I have a fabulous employer. Am now enjoying pretty good maternity terms too.

OH was mentioned, but my manager decided she would would be able to handle it herself, as I refused to sign it when she put a lot of stuff on it that was irrelevant to the OH referral, and some it untrue and speculation (ie that I had a difficult home life, when it was just that my DH had lost his job!!!!).

I think also, she does not want OH involved as they would tell her I should not be working until 9pm!!!