myrights at work- england

[J2011]

My emplooyer is aware of my pregnancy, and that i have a history of miscarriage. So far my manager has been ok with letting me have time of for appointments (allthough i have not been paid for them) but has been putting me on the rota for 56 hours one week, without a day of for 13 days in a row (at least) and this includes three 10 hour long days and 1 13 hour day. As i am a bar supervisor i have to be on my feet for this whole period and work late at night, some of these shifts, i am the only person in the building!

is this allowed?

xx

 

[maisie78]

That doesn't sound right to me. Have you opted out of the work-time directive? If not then there are specific rules about how many hours you can work and how many days in a row you can work. Don't quote me but I believe you have to have at least 11 hours off between shifts and shouldn't be working more than 7 days in a row (this probably isn't quite right but what you are doing certainly doesn't sound ok to me, pregnant or not). Also you should be being paid for your antenatal appointments, it's the law. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with more info but in the meantime I will see if I can find you something about it on direct gov.

 

[maisie78]

This is a link to direct gov re the rest breaks you are entitled to:

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029451

This link covers your rights to paid time off for antenatal care and also your employers responsibilities with regards a risk assessment. This is particularly important in your case with your history of mc.

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parent...ilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_10026556

Have you spoken to your Dr/Midwife re the hours you are being expected to work and your roles and responsibilities? If your Dr/mw is not happy with the nature of your work they can write a note to your employer setting out what they believe you should/should not be doing, for example, no lifting and or carrying, regular periods where you can sit down etc. This will then form part of your risk assessment. Whilst these things will only be Dr's recommendations it would be a very stupid employer that ignores them because of the potential trouble they could be in if you or your baby come to harm.

If you get nowhere with your employer I would seek advice from either your union if you are a member of one or the CAB and/or ACAS.

 

[J2011]

I am going to speak to him again today and then if that comes to nothing i shall make an appointment with my dr and see what she says. thanks for the links x

 

[My_First]

As long as you have had a risk assessment and opted out of working time, then you shoudl be okay and its legal. HOwever, what concerns me is that they should, legally, pay you for time of for anti nateal appointments.

'It is unlawful for your employer to refuse to give you reasonable time off for antenatal care or to pay you at your normal rate of pay.'

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/parents/moneyandworkentitlements/workandfamilies/dg_10026556

 

[FlowerTots13]

Thats not right, they have to pay you for your time off for appointments, but I know at my work place we can work 9 days without a day off and that's 10 hours a day. You'll find them links very helpful

 

[Sproglet]

You should either have one full day off a week, or two consecutive days in a fortnight- so 12 days without a break max. (in addition to what has already been said about paid time off and the working hours per week)

Your employer is breaking the law and putting your (and baby's) health and safety at risk. I agree wi advice about contacting union and dr!

 

[joo]

Hiya, yeah the girls are right about your appointments, women are entitled to paid time of for antenatal appointments, & your employer can ask to see appointment cards or proof of appointments from the 2nd appointment onwards.

Re the working hours, what previous poster said about 1 day off a week or 2 off in a fortnight sounds right. But with being pregnant when your employer finds out they should be doing a risk assessment on your job & the tasks/working hours that your job entails. As far as I'm aware if they can't make reasonable changes to your job then they either have to find you another suitable role &.if there's no other suitable role they have to'suspend' you on full pay, they can't fire you or anything for being preggo. That's what I got from research as I am fully expecting an uphill battle with my boss! Sorry if anything's not accurate, I'm sure someone will correct me if I've made a mistake xxx