Work troubles

[LittleLola]

Hi everyone
I am currently 5 months pregnant and work nights in a care home. I informed my boss 5 weeks ago that I was pregnant and only just found out she has done a risk assessment.

For one, I was not present. Secondly, it was written in such a way to imply that I was, and thirdly it was full of lies (I.e it stated my manager and I had discussed things we certainly have not.)

The result of this totally false risk assessment was that it was safe to work.

We have 30 residents in our home-4 times since I told my boss the news, I have been on duty with just a nurse (it's meant to be 2 carers plus a nurse.) I work with very violent, aggressive residents and am on my feet all night. There are many risks that were not addressed and I feel this has been done behind my back with the hope I would never ask to see it because if it was done properly my boss would have no choice but to suspend me on full pay.

I don't know where to take it from here though- I wrote a letter to my manager stating my grievances with it but she has yet to reply.

Can anyone help please?

 

[CharlotteH24]

I would be tempted to report it to the owners/governing body which owns the place and say it in such a way which makes you out to be innocently pointing out that you're pregnant, vulnerable and uncomfortable working without the appropriate staffing. Otherwise I'd be considering an alternative job, even if it's part time which won't put you in a vulnerable position. No employer can refuse to employ you just for being pregnant, they need a valid reason. You also don't have to disclose it until after you've been given the job unless you're showing. Plenty of people don't know they're pregnant until 6 months, sometimes not until they're in labour!
Legally you can refuse to work if the job is putting you into an unsafe position or isn't following correct procedures. My mum is a support worker for end of life and often gets aggressive patients, she's refused to work around some people as it makes her feel uncomfortable and as if she can't perform her job to the best of her ability. Care work employers are renowned for taking the piss (sorry, but it's true) and it can take years to find one which respects it's employees and bends over backwards to support them and keep the safe.
I hope you find a way to sort it!

 

[CharlotteH24]

If nothing comes of trying the manager again or writing to someone higher up the chain then try to take it to a union or raise it with a solicitor to essentially scare them into action, obviously it may well mean that you'll want to leave anyway so may well be pointless. Anyone that you take it up to will rip the company to shreds because you're pregnant and they're severely understaffed from the sounds of it. If the policy is that they need two support workers and a nurse each night then they're breaking their health and safety rules for you and all other members of staff.

 

[Jojo84]

Hi everyone
I am currently 5 months pregnant and work nights in a care home. I informed my boss 5 weeks ago that I was pregnant and only just found out she has done a risk assessment.

For one, I was not present. Secondly, it was written in such a way to imply that I was, and thirdly it was full of lies (I.e it stated my manager and I had discussed things we certainly have not.)

The result of this totally false risk assessment was that it was safe to work.

We have 30 residents in our home-4 times since I told my boss the news, I have been on duty with just a nurse (it's meant to be 2 carers plus a nurse.) I work with very violent, aggressive residents and am on my feet all night. There are many risks that were not addressed and I feel this has been done behind my back with the hope I would never ask to see it because if it was done properly my boss would have no choice but to suspend me on full pay.

I don't know where to take it from here though- I wrote a letter to my manager stating my grievances with it but she has yet to reply.

Can anyone help please?

Is there more than one wing? If there is a lighter wing then they need to transfer you to keep you safe. I did my own risk assessment at one stage because I didn't agree with the one my manager had done as I wasn't happy with.

If you're not being kept safe I would be going over their head and going to regional or head office level about it.

One carer is ridiculous, pregnant or not and they are failing to provide you with safety in regards to the health and safety at work act. If you don't get anywhere then I would also be contacting cqc.

For now, contact your union (Acas will usually give advice even if you're not a member)

It's hard being in care and pregnant, but it is achievable if they play ball.

 

[jalaney]

A risk assessment is a smart, and responsible thing for any business owner to do. On the other hand wording it to make it look like you were present is not. I have been the victim of these "meetings" (albeit not a risk assessment), although luckily in my situation it required a sign-off from me, when was not gonna happen.
I'd advise if you don't have a response from your line manager, you push them again gently for a response, and if not jump up a management level - they won't want to deal with you and will apply a little more pressure on your manager to deal with the situation. You don't want to ruffle anyones feathers (managers for the future) but at the same time, if you beleive there is a risk in place, state your points clearly and concisely.

Try not to let your emotions get the better of you and write an email and sit on it for a couple of days and re-read it before you hit send.
Good luck with this.