Ok this may turn into more of a rant, so I'm sorry in advance.
I'm currently 21 weeks + 4 days pregnant. I've been ill since thursday. I went to the emergency GP on Friday night/Sat morning coz of pain in one of my kidneys and wasgiven a short course of antibiotics for a UTI. I went back to see my normal GP today as the pain has come back and I'm really ill with cold and cough etc etc. She said I have a mild ear infection a chest infection and the remains of the UTI as well as this cold. So you can imagine I feel pretty bad! I had Thursday off work as I was having really bad dizzy spells, I worked Sat and Sun, then the doc signed me off work for today to get some rest and try and steam my chest to help!
So in the past week I've had two days off sick and I went to see my boss to tell her I had to go home today and she gave me a lecture about being constantly ill and how it'll probably be best for me to go off on materninty leave early if its gonna be like this!
I'll add more....
2007-01-23 06:38:20 · 6 answers · asked by Claire O 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Now I know you cant take maternity leave any earlier than 11 weeks before your due, but I'm worried. Can they force me to take unpaid leave of absence? Although I fail to see how 2 days off in a space of a week is being 'constantly ill'.
I'm in the UK btw so the laws may be slightly different.
Sorry that was so long
2007-01-23 06:40:17 · update #1
Sorry I am unaware of UK laws. You should call up the labor boards nearest you. There are usually laws that prevent workplaces from forcing you to take a leave of absense because of pregnancy or uncontrollable illness.
Make sure you educate yourself VERY WELL with the laws and your rights. You don't want to get in the case of they try to lay you off and you don't know your rights as an employee.
Same thing similar happened to a friend of mine and she was laid off. And there was an underlying law that said if she was laid off more than 12 weeks and didn't file some paper with her employer, her employer could fire her completely, which is what happened. Sadly she lost so much when she lost that job. Its hard enough preparing for baby, but preparing for baby with no job, WAY tougher.
So just educate yourself and know all the current laws and your rights as well as the rights of you employer.
Good luck and congrats.
2007-01-23 06:47:26 · answer #1 · answered by Summer H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can force you to take leave. A girl at my work (I work for state medicaid) was gone all the time for being ill, contractions, etc and they finally told her to take her leave. Basicly though, it's being fired because they only hold your position for 12 weeks and you'd be off for longer than that. Because it's not actually called "maternity" leave through the government, it's FMLA and that covers illness but only covers 12 weeks...if that all made sense lol! My guess....they are "trying" to fire you legally. GOOD LUCK!!
2007-01-23 06:48:11 · answer #2 · answered by angie_laffin927 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yikes not good. We are protected over here with a law that states something to the effect of they can't fire you or make you quit b/c your pregnant..If you have sick days or personnel days, have your doctor take you off work until this clears up.- If that's possible. Get everything in righting too and get a copy for yourself, so you can give one to your boss and have one for yourself-in case it gets ugly. Good luck
2007-01-23 07:25:05 · answer #3 · answered by Rain32 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's tough! do you still have sick days saved up? or personal days? see if yo can use those before having to use your maternity leave. how unfortunate we all can't live in sweden huh? they get a year + off for a baby! good luck and i hope you feel better!
PS: are you taking vitamin C with Rose hips? the rose hips will help more of the vitamin c absorb into your body. I've been taking it for years and get sic once a year for two days!!!
2007-01-23 06:46:10 · answer #4 · answered by Carrie H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They need to get over it, your pregnant for heavens sake and sick! Over here my boss told me he didn't want to hire any girl looking to get pregnant because it will be a pain in his A**, I think that is discrimination!!! but I have a little secret, my husband and I are trying to conceive! so he can kiss it when I finally do get pregnant! LOL
2007-01-23 06:43:36 · answer #5 · answered by echc 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If your doctor says you need to be on bed rest or whatever than you job has to honor that.
2007-01-23 06:52:21 · answer #6 · answered by GrnEyedBandita 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋