I've had quite a bit of time off work this pregnancy. I have a really bad cold twice before Christmas, then I had a couple of days off for SPD.
My work then signed me off (or even suspended me) as a health and safety risk because of my SPD. I wanted to work but they didn't want me there.
So Monday was my first day back in, and I left at 4pm because I was too uncomfortable. It hurts if I sit for too long.
Tuesday was ok, but I was about 40 mins late for work because of the snow. My car went into the garage at lunch. Then on Wednesday I was 20 mins late as I had to get a taxi in and due to the weather there was a shortage. Then I had to go home at lunch as I was feeling really sick and dizzy.
Today I didn't go in, still feeling sick and had the runs all day and anway, there was a lot of snow this morning, I only passed my driving test last week and I would not have felt comfortable driving in.
So when I phoned in this morning one of my colleagues answered and was a bit funny with me and said "well we're all here" well they all live under 2km from the office! I have a 15 min drive on busy roads. Plus the road where I live was buried, no salt or anything.
Then I emailed my boss (as she wasn't answering the phone) and said I hope she'd got the message, explained about my upset stomach and said that weather and stomach permitting I would be in tomorrow.
So I got a response from her that was pretty blunt, and she said "if you are coming in make sure you're here by 9 as I've made a meeting for you, me and the head of HR"
Now that got my goat because usually I am the first in the office, by 8:30, and they all roll in after 9 even though 2 of my colleagues live 200m from the the office door. Just as I was late this week she made that comment.
So now I'm worrying what they're going to say tomorrow. Stupid thing is I've asked if it would be possible for me to do some work from home and they've not been forthcoming. I've said I'm really uncomfortable sat in the office (because we have the world's crappiest chairs most likely) and they won't do anything about that either.
I'm pregnant, I just passed my driving test, I think it's ok to not want to drive in the snow and ice right? Plus because of my SPD and I'm on crutches it's dangerous going out. I already spent money on getting taxis into work this week but it's £9 there and back and I can't afford it.
Grrr, sorry for the rant and thanks for reading if you made it through all that!

I'm sorry you're having a rubbish time. I've had some time off, including the last two days and prob won't make it in tomorrow either. I hope everything goes ok tomorrow for you. I haven't had any 'run-ins' with colleagues yet but I do feel for you. xx

There is very little they can do to you, you are very well protected being pregnant so i wouldnt worry about it too much. Kx

hey hun tell them to bugger off n deal with it!! i've had quite alot of time off so far (due to emergency hosp admission, falling over n now i'm signed off till i have the baby as spd/prolapsed disk is so bad physio have said i will probs end up in a w/chair if i carried on working) i work as a horse riding instructor and job was very physically demanding and things were only getting worse.

I know its hard not worrying but try your best. they have to try to help accomodate you either by making sure you get regular breaks to have a little wander to free up your back/ get you a new (better) chair to work from or let you work from home. if you are worried then by law you are allowed to take someone with you....are you in a union/would one of your family go in with you.....if you get upset its sometimes helpful to have someone else there as you probs wont take everything in....if all else fails get in touch with ACAS they were really helpful when i was having problems at work

sara

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Yep, part of the problem at the moment is that I cry if I get angry! Which is so not like me, I do not do crying in front of other people unless it's something very serious. Now it seems I just can't express myself and out come the tears. Makes me feel pathetic!

hun that really sucks if they're not supporting you. I'm only 15 weeks and in that time I've had 12 days off sick in various stints. Before and after Christmas I was off for 4 days at a time with virus'. Thankfully my line manager is super supportive (even before she knew I was pregnant) because the previous guy had been a nightmare apparently and made people feel really crappy about being ill. For goodness sakes, if you're ill you're ill!!!
I was off on tuesday this week, and as soon as I walked in everyone was like " are you sure you should be in, don't wear yourself out". So I'm super relieved I have good colleugues, not being supported is terrible, but don't panic, they certainly can't do anything drastic because you have lots of protection from the government.
Hope your ok.

i'm the same hun know how you feel on this front.... its those bloody pregnancy hormones...YOU ARE NOT PATHETIC!!!!!

sara

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I took two days off of work due to my pregnancy, and I got so much flack from it. I basically got called back and asked if "I really wanted this job, and if I'm going to be sick all the time I should really consider finding another job." I'm not currently covered by my provinces medical until next month, so there wasn't much I could really do about being mistreated. I ended up quiting because I didn't want to deal with them anymore.

Secondly, she's a big friend of my OH family and I didn't really want to make a big stink and make things awkward. I really resent her though, and I really resent not sticking up for myself

I work in care home, where my Mum is the manager so I really hav 2 be super ill to get any time off lol. The only time ive had off due to pregnancy is 4 days off last month due to bleeding, luckily that is sorted out now. I hav decreased my hours though and rarely do any over time. Also im allowed to sit down when I need too, which is quite frequent now due to paiful braxton hicks but I only have 7 weeks left now so im hoping il make it. xxxx

The worst they can do to you, and I'm not 100% sure about UK employment laws, is ask you if you would wish to go on short term disability. Would allow the company to find a replacement for you for that duration as well as your Mat leave.

But they should NOT be able to fire you from what I reading from other ladies in the UK.

Good luck hun... Hope all is well.
As for the crying when you are angry... I'm the same way... And being pregnant with all these raging horomones, I pity the person that makes me angry enough to cry, because I think i would rip their head off :>