Doctor's note to sit down?

[Jewel143]

I will be 13 weeks tomorrow. I work 40 hours a week as a cashier and I am required to stand. I read something somewhere that standing for long periods of time can affect the babies growth and that worries me. I have to stand for 2 - 3 hours at a time and I can't really do much walking around. My feet and legs start to hurt and my back hurts every time I get home. My managers won't let me sit down without a doctor's note. I go to the doctor tomorrow for another ultra sound and I'm really hoping she can give a doctor's note or I will be very upset. I already felt upset and stupid enough as it was when I tried to sit at work today because I had permission from one of the managers and then half an hour later I was told by a HIGHER up manager that I couldn't. I felt stupid like I was trying to be lazy or something. I am just concerned for the health of my baby and also I'm not trying to destroy my legs and feet by standing like a statue for hours. Is it possible that my doctor could deny me getting a doctor's note to sit?

 

[cleckner04]

I suppose anything is possible. I worked in a factory throughout my entire last pregnancy and I have never heard standing could hurt growth. I stood in one spot for 8 hour shifts when I was a week out of having the baby. The only note I could get was that I couldn't be forced to do overtime bc that was a common occurrence to be forced and have to work 12 hour shifts. I couldn't handle that. I hope you get the note you want and need hun. if not could you possibly transfer to a new area of the same store? Something you could be a little more free with and not be stuck in the same spot?

 

[Jewel143]

So your baby turned out healthy? That makes me feel a little more relieved to know standing for a long time doesn't always hurt the baby. I'm just trying to be as careful as possible. This is my first so I'm weird about every little thing.

But with my work I feel like some of my managers are ostracizing me because I'm pregnant and it makes me feel horrible. I figured I had to have a doctor's note to sit down at my work and so I asked my manager if I could walk around and put returned items back on the shelves so I wouldn't have to stand for so long and she wouldn't even let me do that because she said I take too long which is BS. I've worked at this company for almost 2 years, I was a sales associate when I found out I was pregnant so I know where everything is at. I feel as if a few of the managers are trying to make me so upset that I leave which I can't do.

 

[LDC]

I also had to stand for long periods of time during my work and also carry equipment as I was a lone worker in the health field, I've never heard that standing affects growth of the baby and wasn't something that any health practitioners mentioned to me either when they asked what work I was doing.

Work should give you a risk assessment, and if they haven't then I would suggest that you ask for your risk assessment to be carried out as its a legal requirement that they do this. Then you can express your concerns regarding standing and that will need to be noted within the assessment in terms of how they will support you with this.

The company can offer you alternative roles within the business within reason and as long as it is practical, which I imagine will be within a retail environment as there are many roles within a store, which again can be discussed during your risk assessment.

I wold also speak to CAB if you feel as though you are not being treated fairly or equally whilst pregnant as that is discrimination, they can give you advice on what to do and how to make grievances should you feel you want to. They're really good at offering advice, also acas who specialise in it.

Xx

 

[motherofboys]

I've never heard of that either, but if you are worried about it got can talk to the doctor and ask

 

[cleckner04]

So your baby turned out healthy? That makes me feel a little more relieved to know standing for a long time doesn't always hurt the baby.

Yes she was a healthy baby girl with zero issues and now a 3.5 year old with a strong attitude. She hardly ever even gets sick she's so healthy. So don't fret on that end of it but if you 100% don't think you can carry out your job standing in one place I hope you can get a note or come to some sort of agreement for your sake. I know I had very rough nights doing factory work and I'm thankful I'm not doing that anymore but sometimes you have to do what's necessary to get by.

 

[Jewel143]

Thank you for your responses. I got a doctor's note and gave it to my work today so now they can't say anything to me about sitting down. Except theres this other girl I work with who is pregnant too and way bigger than me and due in November so I figured it would be the right thing to do to offer her the stool since we worked with each other today. So the last 3 1/2 hours of my shift, not including my 15 minute break, I was standing at the register. My legs and lower back have been hurting all day but it's ok I'm just glad i got a doctor's note so I can sit down when I feel like it. And shes probably going on maternity leave soon so I won't have to share. Lol.

 

[cleckner04]

Yay!! I'm so happy it worked out for you.

 

[Jewel143]

Wow, now my employer is telling me I have to fill out an 88 form to see if me being able to sit down is acceptable even though i have a doctor's note because they don't consider pregnancy a "disability"

I'm starting not to like this company, one thing after another...i was hoping I wouldnt be one of those women who gets discriminated at work but I guess I am now. I really am starting to feel I am being treated unfairly and I am going to contact human resources

 

[crazylilth1ng]

Sorry I can't offer advice, during my pregnancy with my daughter I was a cashier and I was always allowed to sit, but I would just like to say that your company managers sound like a right bunch of power mad dictators! I hope you get this sorted and stop feeling singled out very soon!

 

[Nela]

Standing shouldn't have any effect on your baby directly but that doesn't mean that it has none on you. I had severe pelvic pain with my first pregnancy so I did need to get off my feet. A lot of it has to do with how you carry your weight/bump, how you are built, etc. so while another pregnant woman will be feeling better standing and moving about, you might feel the opposite. Quite honestly, I have no patience for a workplace that is that difficult about it. Especially as a cashier since you could just as easily fulfill your position either sitting or standing as you're basically using your arms and hands. I worked in a high speed resto and we always tried to accommodate anyone on our staff who was pregnant by making her sit at the drive-thru to take the orders and someone else would fix them. Shame on that company for making you jump through hoops. If anything, is there another position in the store you could work? Perhaps in the backstore where you can sit and work inventory or something?

 

[ShinyShiny84]

This is making me really cross for you. Why are they being so difficult?! As Nela says, sitting or standing should make no difference to your role. Hope you get some joy with HR.

 

[Jewel143]

I think I know who is doing all of this and I feel like it's something personal against me and a racial thing. There's another girl I work with who is 8 months pregnant and shes allowed to sit but it makes me so furious that my manager is making it an issue with me to sit. The girl who is allowed to sit is the same race as my manager who I believe is causing all of this. Also I work 40 hours a week and this other girl is only part time so I don't understand why it's such an issue for me. This type of treatment makes me want to quit and maybe thats what my manager is trying to push me to do but that's hard for me because I'm so close to my job I can just walk and I'm also full time and PREGNANT on top of that. It's so unfair...thank goodness I have the next two days off and so I'm going to contact HR tomorrow and keep you all updated.

I would love to keep a record of all this bs this witch is putting me through but I don't know how I'm going to do that without proof.

 

[ShinyShiny84]

Make sure you keep a journal at least noting the dates you have made the request and the reasons it has been declined by your line manager. Definitely bring up the fact that another pregnant colleague is allowed to sit down.