What should I do? My boss is being a jerk about my pregnancy!?

Question

I am 10 weeks pregnant. I had to ask my boss about our insurance plan, so he found out earlier than I would have liked about my pregnancy. At first, he was really understanding about my symptoms and allowing me to sit unbothered. (I work at a hotel, and am usually required to stand for lengthy hours.) Lately though, he seems to be making snide remarks (I am trying to quit smoking, and he's NOT making it any easier), and the latest straw is our uniforms. It's an average of 80+ degreese in our lobby, and he's decided that our uniform includes these heavy wool blazers. My hormones will not allow me to be in this blazer for more than half an hour before I'm itching and sweating profusely, but he won't budge on allowing me to wear something else. How should I handle this?

Answer 1

I've had this happen to me twice. I worked for a carpet cleaning company as an office manager. I got pregnant, and when I was about 20 weeks or so, we got a new manager. He was fine with me being pregnant and taking a 6 week leave until he found out I was going to be paid for the leave. He then became an insensitive jerk and tried to make me quit. I told him that what he was doing was discrimination and he stopped. For the rest of my pregnancy he left me alone and when I returned to work after my leave, I immediately started looking for a new job. Then about 3 years later, I was working for a different place and got pregnant again. This time the boss was female, so I was really shocked by what happened. As soon as she found out I was pregnant, she tried everything to make me quit. She started writing me up for tardies (even if it was only 1-2 minutes) and for taking too many breaks (I wasn't taking more than my share of time, I was just breaking my 15 min breaks into 3-5 min breaks, you know how much you have to pee when preg? :) ) and for missing days for my scheduled doctor appointments that she knew about in advance. I finally had to sign up under the Family Medical Leave Act to protect my job. I suggest you do that. You would have to go to your human resources people to find out how.

Answer 2

Hmm.. a intricate quandary. You say that your well being is your enterprise and that the man has stated a few jerky/ intrusive matters earlier than.. he definitely is not very respectful of your limitations. It would not shock me to listen to that he has performed identical matters to different persons. I'd more commonly propose that you simply confront him, but it surely feels like you've got earlier than and he did not pay attention then. He by and large may not now. Sounds like a truly backside feeder to me! Your instincts are right; cross to any individual who's better up at the meals chain than he's and dossier an respectable criticism. That must manage it. Remember despite the fact that, preserve your cool and manage the whole thing by way of respectable channels. This might sound noticeable, however it is foremost, and unhappy to mention, it is doubly foremost if you're a girl within the group of workers. Look at a hierarchy chart, uncover out who the boss of your boss is, and dossier an respectable compliant with that man or woman, in writing if fundamental. If that man or woman may not pay attention, take it all of the solution to the highest when you have got to! Best of good fortune sister

Answer 3

Unfortunately your bos is not required to give you any type of special treatment becacuse you are pregnant. When a boss finds out an employee is pregnant it usually is a negatie thing becasue now they have to worry how much longer you will be around AND if your work ethic will chage (such as complaining or tailoring your duties to fit your condition). So as much as he seems like a prick, he is just running his business and if he lets you take off the sweater than the next person who is hot wont wear thiers and then the next person until his uniform policy becomes a complete joke.... I know it sucks trust me I DO NOT take his side, but I do see where he is coming from.

Answer 4

I understand there are rules and a dress code. But, it's only going to get worse at the end of your pregnancy when you are too big to fit in anything, very hot, and too tired to stand. So, if you have an HR dept, or a corporate HR department even better. Officially let them know you are pg and ask them specifically how to handle attire, standing at long periods, breaks, fmla (leave), time off....etc. Maybe they can place you somewhere else in the company, or change your hours. While you do that---talk to your DR about this. He or she can advise you on how many hours at a time you should stand, take a break...etc. And then you can educate your boss.

Answer 5

I understand what your saying, but your wanting special treatment just because your pregnant. You can work and wear a blazer just the like next pregnant lady has too. Find another job if it's that important to you. Wait till your 9 months along and have to wear that coat. Better save the bit*hing for when your really gonna' need it. Your just at the start of your pregnancy now.

Answer 6

Hey hunny men r jerks and will never change. Benn there and done that with bosses. I would see if he would compromise on some things first and if he still wont budge find out the employee rules on maternity and the state laws of it in the work place. Then if u can go over his head and talk to his boss. sometimes u have to and they don't like it but there has to fairness for the child bearers of the world.... Good luck!

Answer 7

If you want the job, do what the job requires. Don't expect any special treatment because you are pregnant. You are not handicapped. On a second note, you should not have to tolerate those snide remarks your boss is making. Contact human resources and file a complaint. Good luck with your job and pregnancy.

Answer 8

Many bosses will not budge since they can make it aweful for you and then you will quit. Does he own the hotel? Do owners realize that he is setting them up for a descrimnation lawsuit? I assume there is no union. Pleaswe contact your state department and find out about your protection under the law. Pregnancy is a medical issue, and his treatment of you unfairly because of a medical issue can quickly become discrimination. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

I am wondering if you belong to a union, and could have a union rep talk to your boss about this. It sounds like harassment in a way in terms of the hassling about your smoking.

But you may just have to ask for another position and/or find another job after the baby is born. If he's giving you grief now, do you think he'll make it tough for you after returning from maternity leave? Assuming you have a leave.

Answer 10

Don't listen to these people who tell you that you have no special rights because you are pregnant. I read an article saying that pregnant women have the same rights as workers with disabilities. It is worth talking to you lawyer and to find out what your rights actuallly are in the US. It will save you a lot of time and discomfort and maybe even your job!