Work in a male environment!

[sarahk]

Hi,

I'm really really worried about telling my work colleagues that I am pregnant, I know I have a few weeks before I have to say anything but I work with all men. They get really funny about time off because I am the only one in the office that knows my job and without me there, things go wrong (head swells!!)!!! I know they cant sack me, but I really think they wont make things easy for me. They dont pay sick pay, I dont think they have a maternity package, just statatory.

I work in Estate Agency so you can imagine the kind of guys we have there, jack the lads!!!!!!

Anyone else work in an all male environment????

 

[lauramumof2]

I did and it was reassuringly okay. You didnt have the constant questions (its not a man thing I think). Dont get me wrong, they were happy and interested but you could walk from one end of the room to the other without a baby related question.

I got on well with them to start with and kept on at my bos about my replacement just so my peers could see I wasnt just pg and not caring about my job which was in the motor trade.

Try not to worry, you might be surprised.

 

[violet-glow]

When I was pregnant I worked in a nightclub (just as a barmaid) mostly with males. All the manages were guys. When I told them I was pregnant they made my life hell, they picked on me for everything. I got to about five months and wasnt showing. So because I wasnt showing to them I could still do everything I used to be able to do. Anyway it got to the point where I started talking back to the boss, he kept telling me to do things like stay behind and clean the bars etc. Basicly this being my second job and I was only 18 I was doing as he asked. So it got to the point where I turned round and told him no when he would ask then he orderd me to do it.... anyway one night I went up for my shift and got called into the bosses office. He said that I was to be sacked! I asked why and he said because someone had said I had been drinking and that I was late for work. This wasnt the case as I was living with my parents and my mum had dropped me into work and certainly hadnt been drinking and wasnt late. Anyway I didnt kick up a fuss I just started crying got my things and the bouncers had to walk me out of the club It was horrible! I called my mum and she came to pick me up, she was going nuts because of what they had done. She wanted to go in there and talk to my boss, but i wouldnt let her. I just wanted to go home. A couple of days later I got a letter from my boss saying that he had sacked me because I had shown up late for work several times and that he thinks I had been taking drugs or drunk when arrived at work. I showd my mum and she went nuts. She said they had sacked me because I was pregnant and stood my ground. We were going to take it to court, but i thought it was pointless, if they were going to be like that I wanted nothing to do with them. Since then all the managers have been sacked and new barstaff been brought in. Found out a few months ago it was because the bosses had been dealing drugs!

Anyway yeah so erm back to your question sorry Ive just seen how much I have written Men I think if you work with them and they dont have kids they are less likely to understand. But sod em I say, you know your right, dont let them push you around if they start to.

 

[lmwarr]

Im exactly like you work with all male and they have no clue about my job. To be honest they were really great when i told them they seem to be more excited than most women!!

Plus i think they are that way as they dont want to offend me and stuff just incase i snap at them or sue for sexual distrimination.

You should be ok but just tell them as early as possible to show that you are willing to be nice. x