For all pregnant women who work?

Question

Hi all
I just wanted to see if this was just me or if all women experienced it.

I work in a male orientated office, I am the only female.
Since I fell pregnant, I have felt like a burden on the business. (Women are more of a risk when it comes to employment I know)
We all have our legal rights i.e maternity leave and antenatal classes. But I feel like its just too much hassle for them.
I dont get my lunch hours when I am supposed to.
I have been really poorly with sickness and have always been in and never had a day off with it which I feel is good.

Its just making me think twice about coming back after the baby?

Its making me feel really down and upset and in earlier stages i considered an abortion due to the way work made me feel.

Any advice or help?

Spook
You wouldnt have any staff working for you so therefore you would close down anyway.
Its people like you who need to be shown a few home truths.
You see, you go poking your nose around, clearly when your not female or pregnant, you must be either bored or a freak now get lost you idiot!!

Answer 1

Being a mother is the most important job in the world, so don't let people's attitudes at work get you down. Pregnancy can be a very difficult time and I am totally amazed that you have worked so hard despite being sick.

Since it is such an important role in life, motherhood requires a full-time effort. That means being a stay-at-home mother is ideal if you can make it work, and nearly every woman can if she makes a few material and financial sacrifices.

The issue of pregnant women in the workplace is not as one-sided as people make it out to be, though. Expectant mothers need to realize that although they have special needs, those needs come SECONDARY to the needs of their employer.

After all, the employer is there to run a business, and to bring in a profit. This just makes sense. That's why they want workers they can depend on to be there every day. Paid leave, time off and maternity leave can be financially draining to the employer and can cause resentment among other employees who are there every single day.

I know there are laws to "protect" pregnant women in the workplace, but there are also laws in place to protect the boss, and rightly so. It's a two-way street.

When pregnancy and work conflict, then work has to go because your baby and your peace are more important than a paycheck.

Answer 2

If you are planning on working after the baby it might be time to take a look at the job market. I know interviewing now wouldn't be good but update your resume and have it ready for after the baby when you are ready to job hunt. There are other jobs out there and also look into staying home or working part time. It's a hard choice to make but for most women it really is possible if you are willing to make the sacrifices. My dh doesn't make enough to support us so we have been putting money in savings and after a while I will take a part time job in the evenings or weekends to make up the difference. We will be living tight but I think it will be worth it. Money would be tight even if I keep working because after paying for child care and transportation(and other job related expenses), I won't actually be bringing much of anything home.

Make an exit plan, this will make you feel better. Believe me your job will never show you the kind of commitment they expect you to show them. Your health and your baby's health are just not worth it. Sorry if I sound totally negative but that's the way I feel.

Answer 3

I know everyone on here says you have rights, but that doesn't help the day to day situation. I am in the same situation as you (15 weeks pg) and my manager is under the impression that I am going to be back 2 weeks after baby is born!! little does he know I am planning to have the full entitlement!!! You are entitled to maternity pay if you leave and don't return, but you may have to repay a certain percentage (not all of it, you are at least entitled to SMP at 108.55 a week contrary to what some contributors on here think) check your t and c's. luckily, I can arrange my maternity appointments around work, but legally you have to have time for them, if you don't think this is possible then ask if you can have the hours off and make up for them elsewhere (weekends maybe?) LEGALLY YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS but you may find this helps with your works attitude.

Answer 4

I worked in a mostly male office when I was pregnant the only other woman was my supervisor, which was good. Its hard to have the men making you feel that way. I am glad that you did not have an abortion just because of how your co-workers made you feel, you would have regretted it.

Do not feel like it is "too much hassle" to have to go to appointments & classes. I can promise you that most of those men have wives and saw what their wives/sisters/girlfriends went through when they were pregnatn. If they were not willing to accommiadate a female needs if she were to get pregnant then they would not have hired you.

Good luck & congrats

Answer 5

I am the only female worker in my office and am 26 weeks pregnant..!! But luckily work have been great.. So i really don't know what to say, If you don't want to go back don't.. No-one knows how motherhood is going to go for you..!!

Just speak to your boss, like you say, you have rights.. They cannot do anything that could harm / put stress on you or your baby..!! My boss is really overpretective, making sure i'm not lifting things & i have enough breaks, like you i havn't had a day off since!

Answer 6

There are US laws that protect you! If you are stressed go to your doctor and tell them. They will probably put you out on disability now...that way you can rest and not feel bad about work. You will then be able to make a decision as to whether or not you want to go back once the baby is born.

I am preggers as well...and am looking for a new job because of stress. Once the baby is born I will be a stay at home mom. I just want to contribute as much as I can before then!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Rights rights rights... What a wonderful things they are. Who does the goivernment think they are to tell businesses hwo to run their business. Most of the no hopers in Westminster wouldn't have a clue how to run a business.

It's exactly because of these types of regulation that I will never employ a woman of child bearing age. Why should my business have to fund someone who chooses to have children.

On a final note if you're not intending to return to work after the baby is born you're not entitled to maternity pay. If you take the pay and don't intend to return the employer is within his rights to claim it back off you - check the rules, rights work both ways love.

Thanks for the personal insult you'll notice I never resorted to that. And for info, I have a very successful business employing 10 people who all get paid very well thank you very much

Answer 8

I'd like to see a man go through pregnancy & child birth and never miss a day of work or take any time off afterwards. It absolutely burns me how inconsiderate men can be of a women going through pregnancy.

There are laws that protect you absolutely, and I think you need to bring your concerns up to your boss. One thing I would suggest you looking to as far as whether or not to come back after the baby, my place of employment required me to come back to work for 30 days after the babies birth. if I didn't, they would have made me pay back the medical insurance fee's they paid while I was on leave. So thats definitely something to look into before you make your decision!

Answer 9

Do what is in your heart and DON"T let those men make you feel less of a person because you chose to have a baby! You sound like you are doing a great job just do things for you and keep some healthy snack around just incase you don't get to lunch on time but need something. As for going back to work thats always a tough decision. I always planned my maternity leave and then made my decision during the last few weeks or so. Fortunatly I always had the option so it wasn't a big deal. If you have to go back for financial reasons make sure you find a good daycare and/or start looking for a different job if you don't think you will be happy going back to this current one!! GL!

Answer 10

I had a smiliar problem but, unlike you, in a female dominated office. Pregnant women are all entitled paid time off to go to appointments and scans, and even your ante-natal classes - however all I got was huffing and puffing and rolled eyes when I booked my time off (max 1 hour). I was once asked in an interview for a different job (it was quite high level and very well paid) was I wanting to go and get myself pregnant because they wouldn't employ me if I was. TOTALLY WRONG!!! Once I had my baby I went back to work and they seemed to be just trying to get me out of the door by piling more and more work on me until I quit. I don't regret the decision I made I've enjoyed time with my daughter but I think that although everyone talks about equality and respect concerning pregnant women in the workplace it doesn't always happen in real life, sadly.