A little apprehensive now...

[SoonToBeMrs]

Oh gawd..

Ok.. my boss has just recieved my letter stating that I am pregnant and when I plan on taking my Maternity leave and she has agreed in writing that this is how it'll be.. but now I'm having regrets about the date. I sat and spoke with my OH about the date. I could have taken it any time from 1st March.. but my OH said that I may as well push it forward a month and take it on April 1st.. I'm due on 17th May but as I'm having a planned ceserean it'll probably be a few weeks before that..

..Bear with me here..

..Ok, my job involves alot of hours and alot of sitting for long periods. I do 12 hour shifts and 4 or 5 days a week. I sit at a desk all day.. we don't have another room we can sit in because the office is quite small and we don't have a proper kitchen or anything. I have just seen my rota for the next couple of months.. and I am seriously regretting my decision for when to take Maternity leave. I know I can change the date as long as I give at least 28 days notice, but my OH thinks its better to take it later.. my rota is worrying me.. it's basically as follows..

Today - 8am til 8pm
Thurs - 8am til 8pm
Friday - 8am til 8pm
Saturday - 8am til 8pm
Sunday - Day off
Monday - 10am til 10pm
Tuesday - 10am til 10pm

Wednesday - Day Off
Thursday - 9am til 9pm
Friday - Day Off
Saturday - 11am til 11pm
Sunday - 11am til 11pm
Monday - 9am til 9pm
Tuesday - Day Off

Wednesday - 11am til 11pm
Thursday - 11am to 11pm
Friday - 11am - 11pm
Saturday - Day Off
Sunday - Day Off
Monday - 11am to 11pm
Tuesday - 11am to 11pm

Wednesday - 9am to 9pm
Thursday - Day Off
Friday - Day Off
Saturday - 10am til 10pm


Sorry about a long post.. but I am constantly looking at my rota.. the supervisors in my office are the ones who fix the rota.. and they know I am pregnant.. I am so worried!!! Help me! I could cry.. I'm so worried about the state I'll be in in the next few weeks!!

 

[Shinymac]

Oh my goodness! How do you cope with shifts like this, in an office like that! You poor love.
I don't have any advice, only I do think you are well within your rights as you thought, to change your mind about maternity leave dates. Not only this, but you may find you are absolutely exhausted nearer the end.

I wish you lots of luck in whatever your decision is, and hope you feel you are doing the right thing for you and your baby.

Not much help I know, but have one of these anyway!

 

[Anna23]

have tehy done a risk assesment? i'd ask for one if i was you i wouldn't be too happy with those hours and i'd ask to have it reviewed

 

[*sara*]

have tehy done a risk assesment? i'd ask for one if i was you i wouldn't be too happy with those hours and i'd ask to have it reviewed

I agree with Anna, i think they need to reveiw your hours they are far too long

 

[SoonToBeMrs]

My hours have always been long but they have just recently upped my hours. And as for a risk assessment... are you kidding?? My employers are useless! This rota was written without me being pregnant in mind and was only written 2 weeks ago! I also have a 4 year old son who I rarely get to see thanks to my shitty hours. I'm so stressed about it.... maybe I'm worrying over nothing and even though they are alot of hours, I might be ok.. I'm just worried that I'll over-do it and end up getting ill or something.

 

[mudgey]

Oh my god those hours are awful I thought mine were bad as I do 7am til 7pm as a nanny but thats only 4days a week and at least Im not stuck in one position all day, Im free to sit or go for a walk as I need to as long as the children are cared for. It must be a nightmare for you especially with a little boy already at home!

Id definitely try having a word, even if they can only change it slightly it would help or can they at least allow you more breaks throughout your shift? Its not worth making yourself ill over or risking yours and the babys health. I think legally they have to make allowances if you're pregnant and Id struggle with those hours even if I wasnt! Good luck

 

[emman24]

I had to change my maternity leave & finish up a bit early because my work were awful. They were fine & my shifts had been changed to 10-6s which were perfect but about 6 weeks before I stopped they starting changing them to 10pm finishes followed by 9am starts & 6 days in a row of 7am shifts (had to get up at 5am for this shift)... Also, we were told not to be out of out seats too much, we werent to be wandering about getting drinks or going to the toilet unless we really needed to . My employers didnt do a risk assessment & i work for a massive bank, it was unbelievable - I expected more.

I took my maternity leave early & my doctor signed me off because I kept getting bugs then I couldnt keep any food down for a couple of weeks (he thought it might be tiredness & stress). So I completely sympathise & you shouldnt worry about your work. If its going to affect your health & the baby then you should ask for a risk assesment or take your mat leave early. xx

 

[noodle1]

Hun, they are legally obligated to carry out a risk assessment on you. I also work long shifts and it does take it's toll on you when you're pregnant, I had to cut them down slightly last time towards the end but because of that I did manage to work until 2 weeks before I had my baby. I work for a large organisation so I guess they have more practice with things like risk assessments but all employers have a duty or care to you as an employee.

 

[Mummy Rich]

I would speak to someone about them hours lovely

I am a teacher and am working till I am 36/37 weeks. I do quite long days but can change my mind and do some shorter ones if need be which I plan on doing nearer the time.

12 hour shifts in the conditions you described are no good lovely.

Tell em to sort it or you'll sit on em!

xx

 

[meandthebump]

They definately need to do a risk assessment for you at the very least. Is it a small company you work for? It doesn't sound like this is something they're used to. You need to be able to get up and walk around as much as is necessary and it seems unbelieveable to say you can't do that. Why are bosses so mean to us

Good luck, I really hope you can get something sorted out.

 

[SoonToBeMrs]

Aww thanks guys.. you've all been really reassuring.. I appreciate it..

I think I'm going to sit it out for a few weeks.. see how my shifts go.. and speak to my OH about it.. let him know that even though he THINKS me taking my mat leave later is a good idea.. if my shifts continue as they are regardless of the law and my emplyers attitude to pregnant workers, then I may just have to take it in march. If needs be, we can afford for me to take my extended leave.. so I'll do that if I can't bear the thought of going back to work too early! You guys are great! Thanks!!