im pregnant and want longer off work please help?

Question

i am 25 weeks pregnant and the doctor signed me off work for 2 weeks but i am due to go back on monday and i am really fretting about this as my boss has been really nasty recently and im afraid it will get worse when i go back what can i say to my doctor to sign me off for a bit longer i am really worried about this please help

Answer 1

The same thing happened to me, I'm 27 weeks and my hips have been extremely painful and as a result I had a fall. I had a couple of days off work and my manager didn't like it, I decided to go and see my GP just as back up support and she told me to rest for at least another couple of days, I was due the next day for my 25 week anti natal appointment and was told to speak to the GP that was doing that then.
My manager again didn't like it when I told her I wouldn't be back that day and told me that this absence would effect my maternity leave and pay and that HR could cancel my contract whilst I am on maternity leave so I wouldn't have a job to go back too, after seeking legal advice this isn't true and I think my boss was just threatening me because she was overloaded with work and didn't think having a fall was a reasonable excuse for being off work. Naturally I was worried and upset and the next day when I went for the anti natal check up my blood pressure was high, I had some blood in my urine and when I told the GP that I had a fall and my hips were really painful she said she would sign me off till my maternity leave starts, I told her that work would never allow this and she said she didn't want me returning to a stressful environment like that and based on that alone I wouldn't be going back. She signed me off for an initial week and asked me back this week to check the blood pressure, which is still the same and she then signed me off for a further 4 weeks which takes me into my maternity leave.

What I am trying (in a long winded way) to say is go back and speak to your GP, if anything he/she can act as a support and could help by liaising with your HR department. Work are not allowed to refuse you leave due to a pregnancy related illness nor are they allowed to give you special treatment due to being pregnant but you can argue the sex discrimination act and inform them that the added stress they are causing you might be damaging the health of you and your baby and this alone you could take them to court for.

I know it's difficult but you have to put your baby's and your own health first.

I hope everything works out for you.

Answer 2

aw sweet pea you sound so upset....do you have a friend you can talk to? or family? sounds like you really need a big hug. Its really hard to answer this question on here but from what you say he does seem quite controlling. You wouldnt be upset over nothing so I am sure there are things that need to change for you to feel happier. For now try to think clearly about what you want as although obviously it affects your baby 100%, things will never work unless your feelings change from what you describe above.And what is right for you will be automatically right for your baby as your baby/child will be much happier in the long run having a happy mummy. As I said really hard to answer as dont know you or your hubby so can only go on what you said above. You should NEVER feel lower than him..you should be equal. Carrying a baby is a very tiring and emotional job even if you are over the moon about it. I would like to think my husband would be very supportive which is what you would expect so do not be made to feel you are being unreasonable. Hopefully you may just be feeling a little touchy due to the mad hormones and that this will pass - wish you lots of luck...hope this helps you a little xx

Answer 3

For the UK
You could ask your GP for another sick note. If you are off sick for a pregnancy related reason 4 weeks before the expected week of birth then the company must automatically put you on maternity leave.
You can start you maternity leave up to 11 weeks before the expected date of birth, but obviously this will then mean that you will have less time off after the pregnancy. Also you will need to give notice of going off on maternity leave.
If your manager is being that bad then this is a case of harassment, and especially if it is affecting your health then I would speak to your HR department about this as it is a very serious issue.

Answer 4

Perhaps you should just quit? That way the stress and everything goes away, and plus after the birth you'll have as much time as you need with your baby. I quit my job when I started having problems at work (and it led to complications in my pregnancy) and I've reolized it's a much better option if you can do it.

Answer 5

Just explain to the doctor about your boss and the stress its putting you under Or you could fib and say you feel rough and not able to go back to work yet i am sure the doctor will understand if you explain your situation

Answer 6

speak to yr c.a.b a girl at work had a year of some the company paid then the state she has now left the company after coming back for 2 days the boss try-ed to get her to pay back all the wages she had while on paternal leave but got told she does not have to pay anything back good luck to you ASK ABOUT PARENTAL LEAVE I'M MALE & MY COMPANY HAD TO LET ME HAVE TIME OF 2 THE EU R GOOD FOR SOMETHINGS

Answer 7

Does your employer offer Maternity leave? You can also take a leave of absence. Usually they both are of 3 months each. So you can apply for one. Not all employers offer the leave of absence. But maternity leave is required by law when you have a baby the first 3 months.

Answer 8

Tell him you have stress, that is alwasy a great one, and its hard to disprove.
Be careful because if you are off sick with something pregnancy related then you may have to start your maternity leave early

Answer 9

Your boss can't treat you any different for being pregnant. If this is happening, document it and go to HR. You can't be treated badly, it's illegal. As long as you are doing your work, they can't do anything about it.

Answer 10

you are entitled to 12 weeks family medical leave. after that you are not guaranteed your job