Tube strike - yikes

[mandspice]

There's a 3-day tube strike planned in London next week (although it may be averted).....last time we had one I was practically crushed by the stampedes trying to get on the buses....and ended up walking 3 miles one evening as it was impossible to get on a bus. Obviously I don't want to risk it this time, as people just trample all over you and don't care if you're pregnant / old / etc!

I'm guessing I'll have to take holiday but does anyone know if should I be entitled to the time off in this kind of situation? xx

 

[Mrs_Jay]

i dont know, but i hope you can sort something out

 

[sparky]

commuting can be covered as part of your health and safety assessment!!

Could you work from home for a few days?

I managed to get my hours changed to 8.30-4.30 which has helped to beat the rush hour

 

[handbagqueen]

oh no, hope it does get cancelled. I've just checked and it will take 2 and a half hours on a bus during a normal day, let alone a day when everybody will take to the roads! Although, hopefully it will mean we get time off- surely they can;t force us to go in?!

 

[abcd1234]

Oh i feel for you!!!
I was walkng around london, not even rush hour and everyone was pushing me around, i hated it!!!! Made me SOOO glad to get home (sorry to those who live and love london)

I had to stand on the tube cos somones bag needed a seat!!! (even though i was 22 weeks and people had started commenting on bump)

Hope they dont do it, but if i were you id jsut refuse to come in lol

 

[mandspice]

commuting can be covered as part of your health and safety assessment!!

Could you work from home for a few days?

I managed to get my hours changed to 8.30-4.30 which has helped to beat the rush hour

Apparently it only covers the work place and not how you get there

Working from home's not really an option as they don't like giving people outside access to the network, especially just for a few days.

Well, I spose us London girlies might just have to stretch out our hols and let bubz benefit from the few days' relaxation!

 

[ASD123456]

Oh no, I'd completley forgotten about this. It'll be a nightmare, arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It was complete bedlam last time and I wasn't even pregnant. I hope it gets called off.

x

 

[sparky]

commuting can be covered as part of your health and safety assessment!!

Could you work from home for a few days?

I managed to get my hours changed to 8.30-4.30 which has helped to beat the rush hour

Apparently it only covers the work place and not how you get there

Working from home's not really an option as they don't like giving people outside access to the network, especially just for a few days.

Well, I spose us London girlies might just have to stretch out our hols and let bubz benefit from the few days' relaxation!

Found this on the HSE's guide to pregnancy in employment
Can I rearrange my

hours to decrease my
stress levels?
If, as a result of your specific risk
assessment, stress has been identified
as a possible risk then your employer
should, where possible, remove the risk.
If that is not possible your working
conditions or hours of work should be
adjusted. This could include changing
your hours of work so that you do not
have to travel during rush hour.

Might be worth asking if you can come in late for a few days because of the stress!

 

[Quill]

Wow, so many strikes. Travel during rush hour when pregnant is always very annoying, add in ALL THOSE STEPS at the stations and it gets quite tiring doesn't it? Can't blame you for taking some time off.

 

[mandspice]

commuting can be covered as part of your health and safety assessment!!

Could you work from home for a few days?

I managed to get my hours changed to 8.30-4.30 which has helped to beat the rush hour

Apparently it only covers the work place and not how you get there

Working from home's not really an option as they don't like giving people outside access to the network, especially just for a few days.

Well, I spose us London girlies might just have to stretch out our hols and let bubz benefit from the few days' relaxation!

Found this on the HSE's guide to pregnancy in employment
Can I rearrange my

hours to decrease my
stress levels?
If, as a result of your specific risk
assessment, stress has been identified
as a possible risk then your employer
should, where possible, remove the risk.
If that is not possible your working
conditions or hours of work should be
adjusted. This could include changing
your hours of work so that you do not
have to travel during rush hour.

Might be worth asking if you can come in late for a few days because of the stress!

Oh wicked, thanks Sparky - will bring this up with them in that case xx

 

[mandspice]

Wow, so many strikes. Travel during rush hour when pregnant is always very annoying, add in ALL THOSE STEPS at the stations and it gets quite tiring doesn't it? Can't blame you for taking some time off.

Yeah, altho I don't mind it usually tbh, it's just that people are savage when there are no tubes running and only enough buses for 10% of the people trying to get on....I'd never forgive myself if I tried to get thru the crowds and bubz was knocked or worse xx

 

[handbagqueen]

It is awful during normal rush hour. I have a 'baby on board' badge now for my tube journeys- not just so I can get a seat but also to let people know that if they barge into my tummy there's going to be trouble! I'm going to wait and see what happens but i'm now secretly hoping it does go ahead so I can stay at home!

 

[ASD123456]

It is awful during normal rush hour. I have a 'baby on board' badge now for my tube journeys- not just so I can get a seat but also to let people know that if they barge into my tummy there's going to be trouble! I'm going to wait and see what happens but i'm now secretly hoping it does go ahead so I can stay at home!

How do I get one of those? I was on the train last night and it was packed and some young city boy was sat near where I was standing saw my bump and then proceeded to ignore it and keep sitting down He is now on my hate list.

x

 

[HideiLu]

Oh gosh! I got stuck in a stampeed when they where cancelled for just 1 afternoon so a whole 3 days would be a nightmare!

The above though saying that communting should be considered in your health and safety is very useful! Hopefully they will be understanding and let you work around it without having to use up your holiday. But a few days rest for you and bubs could also be nice! x

 

[abcd1234]

All this talk of risk assessment has made me realise i havnt had one since i told work i was pregnant, im meant to have one a month

Well thats just another thing for me to worry about, as head office will nto get off their ass and assess my maternity rights!! They hanvt even acknowledged im pregnant and they've had loads of calls from my managers, me, and regional manager.

I shoudl be able to leave in 2 weeks, looks like thats not possible if i wanted to

 

[handbagqueen]

It is awful during normal rush hour. I have a 'baby on board' badge now for my tube journeys- not just so I can get a seat but also to let people know that if they barge into my tummy there's going to be trouble! I'm going to wait and see what happens but i'm now secretly hoping it does go ahead so I can stay at home!

How do I get one of those? I was on the train last night and it was packed and some young city boy was sat near where I was standing saw my bump and then proceeded to ignore it and keep sitting down He is now on my hate list.

x

You can ask at a tube station- they're supposed to keep them there, although Waterloo didn't when I asked so not sure about any smaller ones! I phoned up customer service and they sent me a couple out.
0845 330 9880 or email [email protected]

 

[siany]

what a great idea (the badge). However, I think it would have to be one the size of a wheeltrim before the inconsiderate gits on some tubes I catch take any notice!!!!

 

[handbagqueen]

I forgot to say it doesn't guarantee a seat at all! Its amazing how many people get engrossed in their nails if they don't have a newspaper to hide behind

I always ask though if I need to sit down and the badge kind of helps.

 

[Hazel]

I've bought a "mum to be" sign for my car which I have stuck to the drivers side. I've really noticed a difference with people not parking so close to my car now as I was getting annoyed coming back to my car and having to squeeze in where people had parked so close.