Pregnant at work, rules in UK?

ebannawuoyohw · Apr 8th, 2012, 08:23 AM

I've been suffering with morning sickness but found if I eat every 2 hours sometimes less that I'm much better. Do they have to let you take a minute to eat a bowl of cereal or something? I can't cope otherwise. I've heard random stories like if you fall asleep they have to let you sleep lol. I'd like to know the basic treatment I can expect because where I work they aren't very caring about their staff and would use things against me. Thanks

Sparrow85 · Apr 8th, 2012, 09:04 AM

What is your job? I work in an office environment, so I can have a little nibble throughout the day.

I think the best thing to do is speak to them. By law, they have to a Health & Safety test with you to ensure you are safe at your work. I'm not sure about the eating thing but it can't hurt to ask?

sharan · Apr 8th, 2012, 09:15 AM

I believe every job has to conduct a risk assessment when you announce you are pregnancy. It might be worth mentioning to them then that that's what you need to do.

My work place is pretty good in that Ive been told if I feel sick or too tired then I can go home to rest.

ebannawuoyohw · Apr 8th, 2012, 09:23 AM

I work in a nursery with 2-5 year olds. I can't sit down much and I'm around food a lot where they have breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, tea. I told them I'm struggling and need to eat but I don't think they quite realised how much I need to eat. The deputy is pregnant herself but she skipped all morning sickness so doesnt understand how I feel. She had the right hump when I said I had to go home the other day. I'd had breakfast and thrown it up as I was due to leave for work so I was 10 mins late. Had lunch and said I had to go as I was going to chuck it back up. I've not struggled when eating lunch before so its getting worse. I've been off and not puked since the morning after when I threw up as soon as I woke. X

**booflebump** · Apr 8th, 2012, 09:36 AM

That must be hard - if I couldn't sit down, I would actually cry. I work in an office too so can continuously nibble....but I can't be around a lot of food either so would struggle too

Lisa40 · Apr 8th, 2012, 09:47 AM

Any time you have off for ilness due to pregnancy cannot be used against you in any way shape or form, it would be classed as sexual discrimination in the uk.
I would just explain the situation to them & also print off the guidelines from the acas website saying that sickness can't count against you (just incase they don't believe you)& then explain that you do not want to have to stay off at all but you are asking for a little help with regards to a few changes you will have to make.
Clearly let them know that the alternative will be that you will have to remain at home until the sickness passes.
I'm sure that will help

Sproglet · Apr 8th, 2012, 10:39 AM

I work in a school with 4-7 year olds, I help myself to a snack when they have theirs! No one says anything about it.

Dawnlouise30 · Apr 8th, 2012, 10:41 AM

Hi, i work in a nursery too with the same age range so understand the not being able to sit down - its an absolute nightmare. I am finding it a touch easier now, but maybe that is just because i am getting used to it now. When i told work at 6 weeks they did a risk assesment, they have been fab, for example i am not allowed to hoover or mop now, if i am tired i can take a short break (but i often find its not worth the bother, by the time i get to the staff room 3 floors up its time to come down lol.) I have been very lucky that i have not suffered with sickness, but i have been hungry so they have accomodated earlier lunches if needed or allowed me to eat fruit at snacktime with the children.
As previous people have said they can't discriminate against any sickness related to pregnancy. I would ask for a risk assesment and be honest about what you need.

Good luck
Xxx

pink_rulez · Apr 8th, 2012, 10:55 AM

Hi I worked in a nursey while pregant with Sophie so I also understand the struggle, I was very lucky with her and had no sickness (god I wish for that now!) but they were very good with things like letting me rest and I was moved out of the room later on because it was to much of a strain on my back,
I found that I snacked with the children thought the day and in most nurseys they want you to anyway to show good role models, so take a healthy snack and sit with them I used to eat what the children had as they liked us to eat with them but i know some places are strict with there food out goings ect.
Good luck and don't be afrid to speck up if somthing is wrong or you are struggaling I know in many private nurseys they get away with the bare minimum of staff which can also be a strain getting stress out over numbers. I was lucky and worked in a Childrens centre which are usally over staffed most of the time so I was able to take short breaks if needed xx

Apr 8th, 2012, 08:23 AM	#1
ebannawuoyohw On a break (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Essex Posts: 217	Pregnant at work, rules in UK? I've been suffering with morning sickness but found if I eat every 2 hours sometimes less that I'm much better. Do they have to let you take a minute to eat a bowl of cereal or something? I can't cope otherwise. I've heard random stories like if you fall asleep they have to let you sleep lol. I'd like to know the basic treatment I can expect because where I work they aren't very caring about their staff and would use things against me. Thanks

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Apr 8th, 2012, 09:04 AM	#2
Sparrow85 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,256	What is your job? I work in an office environment, so I can have a little nibble throughout the day. I think the best thing to do is speak to them. By law, they have to a Health & Safety test with you to ensure you are safe at your work. I'm not sure about the eating thing but it can't hurt to ask?

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Apr 8th, 2012, 09:15 AM	#3
sharan Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Walsall, UK Posts: 1,503	I believe every job has to conduct a risk assessment when you announce you are pregnancy. It might be worth mentioning to them then that that's what you need to do. My work place is pretty good in that Ive been told if I feel sick or too tired then I can go home to rest.

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Apr 8th, 2012, 09:23 AM	#4
ebannawuoyohw On a break (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Essex Posts: 217	I work in a nursery with 2-5 year olds. I can't sit down much and I'm around food a lot where they have breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, tea. I told them I'm struggling and need to eat but I don't think they quite realised how much I need to eat. The deputy is pregnant herself but she skipped all morning sickness so doesnt understand how I feel. She had the right hump when I said I had to go home the other day. I'd had breakfast and thrown it up as I was due to leave for work so I was 10 mins late. Had lunch and said I had to go as I was going to chuck it back up. I've not struggled when eating lunch before so its getting worse. I've been off and not puked since the morning after when I threw up as soon as I woke. X

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Apr 8th, 2012, 09:36 AM	#5
booflebump Other BabyandBump Team Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 26,361	That must be hard - if I couldn't sit down, I would actually cry. I work in an office too so can continuously nibble....but I can't be around a lot of food either so would struggle too

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Apr 8th, 2012, 09:47 AM	#6
Lisa40 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Merseyside Posts: 2,307	Any time you have off for ilness due to pregnancy cannot be used against you in any way shape or form, it would be classed as sexual discrimination in the uk. I would just explain the situation to them & also print off the guidelines from the acas website saying that sickness can't count against you (just incase they don't believe you)& then explain that you do not want to have to stay off at all but you are asking for a little help with regards to a few changes you will have to make. Clearly let them know that the alternative will be that you will have to remain at home until the sickness passes. I'm sure that will help

Status: Offline

Apr 8th, 2012, 10:39 AM	#7
Sproglet Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,089	I work in a school with 4-7 year olds, I help myself to a snack when they have theirs! No one says anything about it.

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Apr 8th, 2012, 10:41 AM	#8
Dawnlouise30 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: England Posts: 1,213	Hi, i work in a nursery too with the same age range so understand the not being able to sit down - its an absolute nightmare. I am finding it a touch easier now, but maybe that is just because i am getting used to it now. When i told work at 6 weeks they did a risk assesment, they have been fab, for example i am not allowed to hoover or mop now, if i am tired i can take a short break (but i often find its not worth the bother, by the time i get to the staff room 3 floors up its time to come down lol.) I have been very lucky that i have not suffered with sickness, but i have been hungry so they have accomodated earlier lunches if needed or allowed me to eat fruit at snacktime with the children. As previous people have said they can't discriminate against any sickness related to pregnancy. I would ask for a risk assesment and be honest about what you need. Good luck Xxx

Status: Offline

Apr 8th, 2012, 10:55 AM	#9
pink_rulez Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bristol,UK Posts: 1,762	Hi I worked in a nursey while pregant with Sophie so I also understand the struggle, I was very lucky with her and had no sickness (god I wish for that now!) but they were very good with things like letting me rest and I was moved out of the room later on because it was to much of a strain on my back, I found that I snacked with the children thought the day and in most nurseys they want you to anyway to show good role models, so take a healthy snack and sit with them I used to eat what the children had as they liked us to eat with them but i know some places are strict with there food out goings ect. Good luck and don't be afrid to speck up if somthing is wrong or you are struggaling I know in many private nurseys they get away with the bare minimum of staff which can also be a strain getting stress out over numbers. I was lucky and worked in a Childrens centre which are usally over staffed most of the time so I was able to take short breaks if needed xx

Status: Offline

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