I work in a library and the work can be physically demanding, standing all day, carrying heavy books and crates of books etc. I am 9 weeks pregnant with a high risk pregnancy due to previous miscarriage.My doc suggested I ask my work to be put on lighter duties, to avoid over doing it so i asked if I could do 2 hours a day office work in the back room to allow me to sit for a while. My boss came back and said no as it was unfair to others working there. I cannot believe his attitudeand am not sure what to do now? any ideas? I told him the only other alternative is to be signed off for the duration of the pregnancy, but not sure doc will actually do that?
2006-10-24 10:29:30 · 21 answers · asked by Serry's mum 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Firstly, so sorry about your previous miscarriage!....Secondly your boss is a prick. The job is not worth your child's life and im sure you really want this pregnancy to go through smoothly. Does he know about your previous condition......gosh...i wish i could fly to where you are right now and kill the bastard!....ok...
2006-10-24 10:39:15 · answer #1 · answered by Coyote 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I got pregnant with my first child I worked at a nursing home and lifted very heavy people without assistance.. My Biggest sign of being pregnant was horrible lower back pain. My doctor gave me a note saying I had to be put on light duty until the back pain subsided.. Well, my boss called me into his office and told me he had to let me go because he had no light duty positions in the building. I was 18 and stupid so I didn't put up a fight.. I still get mad about that 6 years later.. Just don't be like me and allow that kind of treatment.... You are worth more than that! If I had it to do all over, I would have that company's as.s. Instead I just allowed them to discriminate against me.. Be smarter than me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-24 13:18:52 · answer #2 · answered by jessica m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are unable to carry out the duties for which you are employed there needs to be a valid reason - because you are only 9 weeks pregnant your boss probably feels that you are just 'trying it on' and if he gives in to you now then your demands will just get worse during the rest of the pregnancy so he is 'putting his foot down' now to try and intimidate you. Your doctor is unable to stipulate what is and isnt 'light duties' because he is not involved in your work and therefore you need to see your occupational health department with a note from your doctor stating that he feels you should only come to work on the understanding that you do light duties. Your occupational health department will then do a risk assessment based on your job profile and also from input from your manager. It will then be down to them to decide if you either go back to your doctor to be signed off for the duration of your pregnancy or that you only do certain tasks within your job or if you continue to do all tasks. If you feel that it really is too much for you as this early stage of your pregnancy then it is your best interest to go back to the doctor and tell him exactly what has happened and see if he will sign you off completely from work until after the birth. If he is not willing to do this then he is agreeing with your boss and maybe you could go back to him at a later stage in your pregnancy and ask to be signed off otherwise I am afraid you have no alternative but to carry on with your job as it stands or you look for another position elsewhere that is no so demanding to you.
2006-10-24 10:55:02 · answer #3 · answered by sn0ttyang3l 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/small/Op-Qu/Pregnancy-in-the-Workplace.html
Employers may not refuse to adjust workloads for a pregnant employee if they do so for a worker who is not pregnant but claims some other disability or mitigating circumstance.
You should go to the website it gives you a lot of information on workplace pregnancy. Also it all depends on how many employee's are employed by the company if your company has more then 50 it is covered under the FMLA. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act protects female employees who work for companies with at least 15 employees. That plays a major part to on figuring out where you fall in.
Hope this helps.
2006-10-24 10:49:18 · answer #4 · answered by abbita172002 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your doctor will do what is best for you. and if you live in Canada you can call the labor board and see what your rights are. I was put on light duty early in pregnancy because I have some back pains from a car accident last year. I was also put on bed rest and unable to work after 26 weeks with doctors order get a note from your doctor your employer will have no say then. you have rights good luck to you.
2006-10-24 10:38:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out the management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999. Your employher is duty bound to complete a risk assessment. Having a doctors backing should help.
2006-10-24 10:39:02 · answer #6 · answered by taffyhs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your boss does not have to restrict your activites UNLESS you get a doctors note. I know that sounds like we're back in school, but if you have written documentation that you have to be put on lighter duties then he has no choice but to comply, otherwise, should something happen (I pray it doesn't) he will be liable for it and you can sue the pants off him. Get it in writing and if he doesn't comply with you then he is the one who can get his butt in royal trouble. Go to the Human Resources person, they will make sure that you get put on lighter duty because when you're pregnant, technically most company's consider you a liability and they want you to be careful. Good luck!
2006-10-24 10:37:49 · answer #7 · answered by justwondering 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does your boss know that you're pregnant? He is not allowed to discriminate against you because you're pregnant.
This is posted on U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Pregnancy discrimination.
If an employee is temporarily unable to perform her job due to pregnancy, the employer must treat her the same as any other temporarily disabled employee. For example, if the employer allows temporarily disabled employees to modify tasks, perform alternative assignments or take disability leave or leave without pay, the employer also must allow an employee who is temporarily disabled due to pregnancy to do the same.
2006-10-24 10:37:39 · answer #8 · answered by mrstallent5150 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should not have to be put through this see your doctor and explain get a letter from him and give to your boss and ask for other employees to help till you feel better and even then don't take Any risks for your baby sake hope all works fine for you and remember your baby comes first you can always go on the sick and find a new job after you have the baby OH MEANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS MUM
2006-10-24 10:52:13 · answer #9 · answered by stirling silver 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should not have to be punished for being pregnant. Your boss's behavior is not acceptable, and I'm sure the rest of the employees will understand if your work load is lightened because of your situation.
Get your doctor to write out a memo to your boss. In the memo they should explain your contition and why iti is important for you to lessen your work load. If this does not convince your boss to lighten your work load, lawyer up and sue him. It is not your problem, it is his, and if he is that insensitive, slap him with a discrimination case.
Good luck sweetie! and Congratulations! I hope everything works out.
2006-10-24 10:41:25 · answer #10 · answered by nmtgirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋