what can i do about my employer?

Question

hi everyone im going into work today and it will be the first day back since finding out about being pregnant again

im very nervous as the last time i was pregnant my employer was less then helpful and willing to be lenient

my work is manual and includes standing for long periods and some heavy lifting which i am very nervous about especially since i have already suffered a misscarridge im just wondering how to go about it at work if they insist on doing nothing to ease my job for me

i know that they have to do a risk assesment for me but last time the hr woman told me she will not do one till i was 4 months pregnant which of course we all know is a load of old bull they did insist they i was still to do the lifting etc and still do shift work even though i felt so knackered any advice will be greatly received as last time i got so upset and was ringing my partner crying and this time will be even worse as ive already have lost one baby thanks in advance

Answer 1

Call citizens advice and be prepared. they can give you all the information you need about your rights as an employee and then you can go to work armed with all the information you need.

good luck.

Answer 2

A similar thing happened to me and my advice is to go and see your GP, explain your situation to him/her and they will more than likely sign you off work until you pass your first trimester (maybe longer). He/she can also guide you on correct processes and if necessary contact your employer via HR to push for light duties, the added stress alone that you are being put under is reason for you to be signed off.
In the mean time contact Citizens Advice Bureau, they are very helpful and will give you all the legal jargon that you'll need and prepare you for any problems you might face with your employer.

The treatment that your receiving is not right and your employer is not following maternity employee rights (not from a UK point of view anyway). If they are doing this to you how many other pregnant women have they done this too and how long will they continue to do it for??

Kicking up a fuss is sometimes the only way an employer will listen. I work for the government and my boss was always asking me to do higher grades work without getting paid for it and when I fell pregnant they told me anytime off I had because of the baby would effect my maternity pay and leave, I went to the citizens advice and found this not to be true and the added stress sent my blood pressure up and I was signed off from 24 weeks. I had to be very forceful with my boss and now everything has been worked out, she thought I would just put up with everything until I went on official maternity leave...boy was she wrong.

A risk assessment wasn't done with me until I was 15 weeks, before then they just informed fire wardens that I was pregnant just in case of a fire. I'm guessing though that a risk assessment should be done way before then with you as you have a physical and manual job.

I hope everything works out.

Answer 3

Call the CAB. You have every right to be assessed if you are carrying out manual work and even 1 week pregnant. Your employer cannot refuse to put you on light duties.

I would seek legal advice asap and make your employer know that this is what you intend to do. DO NOT be bullied. They cannot fire you for becoming pregnant and if they are aware that you are seeking legal advice they may back down a little easier.

Be strong and don't let them make you do anything that you feel could harm the health of you or your unborn child.

Answer 4

The employer must do a risk assessment!! They have to, it's part of law and legislation.

Secondly, they cant make you do lifting if you are pregnant. They need to find other jobs for you to do.

If they are argue with you get more advice from citizens advice.

Also, you should have a staff hand book, read that there should be some helpful stuff in there.

Answer 5

I don't think they have to wait until you are 4 months pregnant to do a risk assessment. If you are going to have a miscarriage it will most likely be in the first 3 months so it is idiotic for them to say they will wait that long. Talk to your doctor about it asap, even if it is just a phone consult. Contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They may know what to tell you. I've put the link below on how to contact them. Good luck!

Answer 6

I had a quick look on the net and there's an address here that you can e-mail and a human being will get back to you with details of what you can and can't demand rights-wise.If I were in your shoes I would be telling my boss that I expected my risk assessment today-and that you genuinely feel that if a change of work circumstances aren't initiated that you'll be happy to be off work on full pay-as is your legal right.

Anyway-get on to these guys pronto-Good luck!
[e-mail]

Answer 7

ok when i was pregnant i was discriminated again i was told if my employer knew i was pregnant i wouldnt of gotten hired get a tape recorder and record everything he says to you and if he takes you into the office tell him u want a witness. ok im a woman who cant work in be pregnant everytime i did i had complications or lost the pregnancy. you gotta ask yourself what means more to you, I chose life, mind you we live at my parents house but you know what id rather than have my daughter instead of a paycheck. and it was very hard but you know what if you trust God hell never let you down. and when i was pregnant i was tormented more than you can imagine. my groin would hurt and theyd run me as if i wasnt pregnant and they didnt treat me any diffrent infact i was treated worse. and your partner have a talk and tell him what do you want a child or a paycheck, my husband chose a child. if you have any questions email me. i totally understand you and im sooo sorry that this is happening to you, it makes me sick when people treat pregos bad.

Answer 8

Why don't you go to your doctor and get him to write a letter to your employer, stating that you cannot due to yours and your baby's health do any heavy lifting, your employer is very unreasonable, the first three months are the most chance of loosing your child and if they do not abide by your doctors advice go to your nearest citizens advice and ask what your rights are, Good luck.

Answer 9

im sorry for ur loss.. but congrats on the new one .. firstyly..just tell them im nt prepared to do any heavy lift ... what are they going to do sack you ? no they cant do that and you should be working what u feel comftable working.. if ur too knackered phone in sick ... or cut down the shifts as u miscarried b4 ... u should be taking it extra easy i agree.. so..ask them for a chair.. so u can sit down or take breaks in the staff room every couple f hours and so on ... be ur boss its ur babys safety u r looking after and ur own not there bloody work ..this is more important
take care xx

Answer 10

If you are in the UK your employer must carry out a risk assessment to protect your safety ad your babies safety. see this link to the Health and Safety Executives guidelines for pregnant employees. gives full details on your rights and responsibilities.

Answer 11

Your boss and work mates should be more than willing to help you at this time,don't feel nervous, you have rights and if you are not getting the help and support you need exercise them,Good Luck.