Can i refuse extra work when pregnant?

[WhiteGeisha]

Hey ladies

Hope you are all well.

As of Friday, for 12 days I am going to not only be dealing with my own workload but the workload of a colleague who will be away on holiday.

Today I have just been asked to deal with an extra job - well an account really - and oversee the ordering of all IT products. Me and my colleague have discussed this as it will be her job when she returns but in the meantime they are asking me to deal with it until she is back - she agrees with me that I already have far too much to be dealing with right now let alone more.

I have a feeling I am going to be told to do this without so much of a say....which I think is wrong. It's more stress and hassle than I need as well as my jobs and my colleagues.

How can I refuse without sounding like I am being difficult/lazy?

 

[mummyclo]

I think you can generally refuse extra work even if you are not pregnant because it is "extra"?

 

[CharlieKeys]

You're pregnant - if you say that it's just too much stress and you don't think you'll be able to handle it at all/all by yourself - I really doubt people will think you're being difficult/lazy - as at the end of the day your baby has to be your number one priority!

 

[Novemberbabe]

I think it will depend on what your contract states.

I know my contract states that if 'business reasons' mean that I have to stay late / take on extra work then I have to do it, although I'm entitled to either be paid extra or get the time back.

Unless they are asking you to do manual labour then I don't think the fact that you're pregnant will come into it.

However, if you feel that you are already up to your capacity then you should discuss with your line manager. Maybe they just don't realise what you've got on already?

Good luck hun x

 

[WhiteGeisha]

I think it will depend on what your contract states.

I know my contract states that if 'business reasons' mean that I have to stay late / take on extra work then I have to do it, although I'm entitled to either be paid extra or get the time back.

Unless they are asking you to do manual labour then I don't think the fact that you're pregnant will come into it.

However, if you feel that you are already up to your capacity then you should discuss with your line manager. Maybe they just don't realise what you've got on already?

Good luck hun x

I am going to have to do extra hrs for those 12 days too without extra breaks and not get paid for it - the not getting paid part is unfortunately in my contract!

I just think with the extra hrs and no extra breaks I shouldn't be asked to also take on extra work. It's going to be a struggle to juggle the extra work from my colleague let alone another new task

 

[SilasLove]

I don't have any advice but did not want to read and run. I hope that you can work something out so you are not over doing it. Best of luck! x