Advice regarding work

[Wishing84]

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and aren't due to start my maternity leave until 38.

I work away from the office and my job can be quite demanding. Very busy and alot of walking up and down.

I had a maternity assessment when i was told as soon as i felt i needed to I could work from the office, which would mean I would be more comfortable and have less walking around. Alot less stressful.

I informed work that i would like to go into the office for the last 2 weeks. Due to start next week.

I have today been told that due to staff shortages (which includes me that they aren't replacing) I can not go into the office.

I have sent an email to my manager outlining my issues. Mainly the stress and that when i am away from the office i spend alot of time on my own, which i was told at my assessment was not to happen.

I really don't know what to do.

I appreciate itvis difficult to cover all the jobs but it is no big suprise that I am going off.

Considering going to the drs and getting signed off due to stress. Its making me feel very anxious. Just hope they see sense and listen to me.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice .

X

 

[MrsS143]

Id just go to the office
If you took sick now theyd have the same staffing issue
You have a risk assessment for a reason
Or else the paper its on is just worthless xx

 

[mylullaby]

In your shoes I would wait and see how my manager responds. If they refuse to honour the original arrangement I'd then go to GP and get them to sign you off. Work hassle v your baby's health = no brainer. xx

 

[Wishing84]

Unfortunately I can't just go into the office. My job is not officially office based. My option is either go to work as told and deal with the stress and potentially be left alone, or go off sick.

 

[Emapot1]

Agree with the above xx

 

[littlemonkey]

I would wait to see what the response is from your manager and if it is not positive ask what you need to do to take the matter further.

You should not have to go sick for your work to stick to their end of your pregnancy risk assessment. Does it state in the assessment that office working would depend upon staffing levels? If not then they are potentially breaching maternity and health and safety legislation. I'm sure there is something on the direct.gov website that if they cannot provide a safe working environment for you they should let you work from home on full pay.

I can appreciate its probably a lot of hassle when you're stressed and exhausted when it is, but personally I would fight your corner to make sure they stick to what they should!

 

[Pismo]

If you went off sick at this stage does your maternity leave not just automatically start?

Also if they are unable to stick to the risk assessment is there not the option to be 'suspended' (not a nice word) on full pay until your mat leave starts. The later would be best as it would mean you are able to continue to earn your normal wage until your mat leave officially starts. IYSWIM.

x

 

[MrsS143]

If you go off sick after 35w i think they can just start your maternity from when you go off

 

[Wishing84]

Thanks ladies. I am going to hang on and see what response I get. I really don't want to go off sick, I hope that they now take the matter seriously and have a rethink. I thought that if it wasn't pregnancy related they can't force you to leave on maternity. It is so frustrating when I thought it had all been agreed. Fingers crossed I will get a response tomorrow. X

 

[Belfa]

Do you have annual leave saved up that you can take now?x

 

[MrsS143]

Youre signed off with stress but its stress of pregnancy preventing you from doing your job really
If their HR dept is good theyll work it x

 

[MrsG81]

I'd have thought that if it was agreed as part of your maternity risk assessment they could get in trouble for refusing you something that was agreed?

You can self certify for one week sickness so I guess worst case scenario is you could just tell them you have a nasty tummy bug towards the end of the week (not pregnancy related) so you would have one week sick before starting your maternity leave.

If your GP signed you off for stress which they would probably argue is pregnancy related it could force you to take maternity leave straight away.

 

[mylullaby]

Did you get a response from your manager? Was the original agreement with work in writing? Do you have a paper trail with a record on it? That could be the clincher xx

 

[Baby2sky]

If your sick note just says stresd then they CANNOT start your maternity leave, whether they assume its because of pregnancy or not, if it doesn't say pregnancy related stress on the note it doesn't matter what they assume xx

 

[Jennyxx]

I agree with Baby2sky. I am currently signed off with stress. On my sick note it simply says 'low mood', there is no reference to my pregnancy so i know that if i'm still signed off at 36 weeks they can't start my mat leave because it doesn't say pregnancy related.

Jenny

 

[Wishing84]

Just a quick update ladies. My manager has been really good and I will be in the office as of next week. Feel so much better x

 

[mylullaby]

Great news. xx