Advise Needed About How I'm Being Treated At Work

[Rachaellius]

Hi everyone, I am in desperate need of some help...

My names Rachael and I joined today I am currently expecting my first child with my partner Steve. I'm currently 16 weeks pregnant

Anyway my issue is with work and my manager in particular...
I notified him of my pregnancy back in april and since then he seems to have completely ignored it. He only filled out a risk assesment form about a week ago and that was only because I kept pestering him.

I currently work in retail in a mobile phone shop, which is very highly targeted (so we're under quite a bit of pressure).

Since i've notified my manager about my pregnancy he's not provided a chair for me to use, he kicks up a fuss about me going on breaks and has me running around all day like a headless chicken!
One day a couple of weeks ago I was so tired during my shift because i'd been running around so much i asked to go on a break (after i'd been there for 5 hours!) he had a massive go at me for asking because he wanted me to do something else, he reduced me to tears and said if the workload is too much then I should think about transferring to another branch!
He later told me that actually i wouldnt be able to transfer somewhere else because another manager wouldnt take me on because i'm pregnant.
He generally speaks to me like dirt and i feel so anxious and tired at work.

For the last two months at work i havnt hit my target and he said the reason behind this was is because i'm not giving customers a very good shopping experience because i look ill all the time (i've suffered with terrible morning sickness). He even suggested i wear more make-up to make myself look better.

I'm holiday this week but am so scared to go back i dont know what to do. You cant say anything to him because he doesnt listen. My midwife suggested going off work with stress for a while but i dont see that as a long term solution as it will only make it more difficult to go back and i'll end up being paid statuary sick pay which i really can't afford to live off at the moment.

ANY advise would be very much appreciated

 

[Sarah13]

Welcome to the forum and congrats! He sounds like a right arse! Do you have an area manager above him you could maybe speak to about his behaviour as he shouldn't be treating you this way? He's also wrong about a transfer, people do get transfers and new jobs whilst pregnant, that's if you wanted to do. Do you have the backing of your co-workers, or anyone else you can speak to, maybe a supervisor who will back you up? Unfortunately there are some narrow minded and ignorant bosses out there, the law is on your side and he shouldnt be treating you this way.

Sorry I've not been much help, maybe there's some other girls out there who have been in your position that can advise you better, the pregnancy chat area is also a good place to post so lots of people see it. Hope things improve for you soon x

 

[TiffanyJaynexo]

Hello and welcome to the forum
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm 15 weeks 2 days pregnant so I'm due a little after you

I'm so sorry you're being treated badly in your workplace, It's such a shame this thing happens. I'm not sure why it does happen but I think it's something to do with the hassle a pregnant woman brings to the company/manager. With maternity leave, days off, changes to the work environment etc.

I find it's the same with me when I apply for jobs. If I tell them I am pregnant, I won't get the job at all, even if I was the best candidate they had seen. I think it certainly is to do with the fact I would have to be replaced when I decided to go on maternity leave, and I would of course need days off for midwife appointments and scans as well as the odd 'rough day'.

What I think you should do is talk to your manager.
Tell him you're feeling better about your pregnancy (Which I hope you are! Most women feel better in the second trimester) but tell him you need to take things slow, which you do need to! Tri2 can be the most relaxing time to be pregnant but it is also the time when you need to be careful of what you do, especially as you get bigger.

Remind him about the chair as well!
You're pregnant, you have rights.

Good luck to you and take care of yourself xxx

 

[Bunnykins]

Welcome to the forum hon and congrats on your pregnancy, snap with the name I'm a Rachael too lol

As for your complete arse of a boss he defo needs sorting out, there are employment laws specifically to stop things like this from happening to pregnant ladies. The risk assessment is not just to protect you its also to cover your employers back incase anything happens, so he is leaving himself wide open for a dispute if you want to take it that far. Do you have a hr department? If you do then you need to speak to them about your concerns, a Dr could write a note putting you on light duties but I'm pretty sure your boss would ignore it by the sounds of it, you really need to read up on your rights, Google the employment laws around pregnancy and try and get hold of your companies maternity policy then take it to hr or your bosses manager and explain that his behaviour is unacceptable and is leaving the company wide open to action from you, it doesn't matter if it pisses your manager off as he doesn't have a leg to stand on

 

[Rachaellius]

Thanks guys I have spoken to someone in my HR department and she said I could make a formal complaint about him by putting everything in writing in an email to her. She said what would happen is I would have to attend a meeting with my Area Manager and my Manager :/. I find the prospect of this quite daunting especially as i've heard the area manager always sticks up for the managers. I feel as though i'll probably just be ganged up on a bit.
I know I need to do something though but i'm really not a very confrontational person and get so nervous about the thought xx

 

[Olive]

Hi hun,

Sorry you're having a rubbish time. I think you should take HR's advice and go for it. I would maybe write down some examples of inappropriate things that he has said to you and dates, if you can remember, to back your story up.

Good luck.

xxxx

 

[jomc]

Hey hun, welcome!
I would take HR advice and file a complaint. Make a list of everything he has said, his responses to your requests etc. If you can remember times and dates, note that down too so they will see you mean business!
When you have the meeting, you are legally entitled to have a witness there ... a person of your own choice.
Managers can be such knobs to deal with unfortunately but dont back down!

 

[lewisca]

Hi hunni and congrats !!!!

Sorry your having such a crap time at work but i would get the meeting set up!! I'm sure u r legally entitled to have someone with u too, even if u dont want to ask any of your colleagues HR should send a rep for u xxxx

 

[Smithy1980]

Hi Hun

WSS^^ I work in HR and you are legally allowed a representative there with you at the meeting. Even better I would specifically ask for a member of HR to accompany you, as they have experience in this kind of meeting and know your rights etc.

Make notes of everything he has said/done and dates (if you can remember) and continue to do so until the meeting. Basically from an employment law point of view they don't have a leg to stand on with you being pregnant, you could really take this further if you wish to....so be strong, know your rights and speak to HR about someone coming along to that meeting!

I cant believe in this day and age some people can be so chauvinistic....what an arse!!

Congrats on your PG by the way and welcome to the forum, its great here

Feel free to message me if you need any further HR-ey advice xxx

 

[i.love]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

your boss sounds horrible. I think you should definitely complain!!

 

[Rachaellius]

Thanks for all your advise ladies just thought i'd let you know that i've sent the e-mail so i've put in the complaint. I'm a tad worried about the outcome but i figure it cant be any worse than putting up with the way he treats me now up until October (which is the earliest I figure I can go on maternity). Makes me so angry though why should I have to go on maternity leave early and be able to spend less time with my baby all because of one complete arse. But then on the other hand the more I can rest and be stress free the better it will be for baby.

It's been my week off this week but i'm back in tomorrow dreading it!!!

xxx

 

[Sarah13]

Hope everything gets sorted now for you and your manager lays off then hopefully you can go on maternity when it suits you best. Good luck tomorrow x

 

[Smithy1980]

Good look for today hun! Remember you've done nothing wrong

Hope everything goes ok and you get the response you want from hr xxx

 

[Sassysugar]

Your boss sounds like a complete tool, glad you put in a complaint as you shouldn't have to stick his behaviour!!

I hope work is ok for you today, good luck hun, let us know how it goes!

 

[Smithy1980]

Hey Hun, how'd it go?! X

 

[SunnyGirl]

I really feel for you with this problem - I have been suffering the same! I know what you mean about hating the confrontation
I'm glad you complained - he really is flouting and breaching many laws and regs!!
Best of luck with the outcome xxx

 

[Rachaellius]

He's still being an absolute tool! HR have got back in touch me with me to say they are trying to arrange a date to hold a meeting. Really dreading him finding out cos he's bound to before the meeting :/ and i'm worried he'll say something at work. Really nervous! But i know it needs doing.

xx

 

[charliebear]

Hi and welcome.
Hope the meeting goes well.

Just as extra backup. Some information http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents...ilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_10026556
Get yourself a copy of your pregnancy risk assessment, so you can refer back to it. Also a copy of the maternity policy would be good reading to see where the company stands.

 

[angelmma]

He's still being an absolute tool! HR have got back in touch me with me to say they are trying to arrange a date to hold a meeting. Really dreading him finding out cos he's bound to before the meeting :/ and i'm worried he'll say something at work. Really nervous! But i know it needs doing.

xx

He'd actually be landing himself in hot water if he confronted you about this before the meeting, apart from saying sorry for how he was treating you. Are you also part of a union? cause if you are you should ask your union representive to accompany you to the meeting. You having done anything wrong, hes just being a tool so dont feel nervous as he brought this on himself. Best of luck chick xxx