Don't think I can cope at work now I'm pregnant!

CHARDONNAY_3

Last month I started a new job as a receptionist at a vets, last week I found out I'm pregnant & today I've just been sent home early in tears!

The job isn't as advertised - It wasn't until I started that I found out theres no cleaner & no vet nurse (I'm expected to do those jobs)

While I'm happy to clean, I don't feel comfortable acting as a vet nurse - I've had no training or experience & the vet is so rude & impatient, esp when I ask questions.

This morning vet shouted at me 3 times & I ended up in tears, I just don't feel like I can cope with his awful attitude as I'm so tired & emotional. Luckily the afternoon receptionist was in early to finish up some overdue paperwork so she told me to go home & said she'd cover reception etc for me. Any other time I'd be stuck on my own with no chance of going home.

I also feel working with animals could be a health hazard while I'm pregnant as I'm expected to lift & restrain, tidy out cages (inc cat litter trays) & handle infected animals, which could bite or scratch.

Theres no heating system in the building & the afternoon receptionist advised me I'll have to come to work in winter in lots of layers of clothes & bring a hot water bottle!!

To top it off, I have no contract & despite asking, it looks as though I'm not likely to get 1! I'm also meant to be paid weekly but only received my 1st pay last week, which was little over 100 pounds. My housing benefit has stopped, I can't afford to pay my rent & I'm getting all worked up.

I just don't know what to do.

When I think of going back to work it makes me cry.

If I go & see my DR & he signs me off would I be entitled to any sick money as I've only started recently & have no contract.

alwaysonthego_2

I am going to move this to the employment board, but you need to beespecially careful of handling cat poo.

sammyjammy

I don't think it would be fair to the employer to go off sick if you have no intention of returning, chances are you would only be entitled to SSP anyway, I notice you are part-time so depending on how much you earn maybe not even that.

It might be better to put it down to a poor choice and hand your notice in giving the vet the opportunity to take on someone else. Have you informed them you are pregnant? You really should given you are working with animals and doing some manual jobs.

Best of luck

Sam

CHARDONNAY_3

Thank you.

I don't want to mess the employer around & would quite happily resign, however I don't know if I would be able to claim any benefits if I did leave.

CHARDONNAY_3

P.s - I spoke to the owner of the business today to tell her I'm pregnant & I'm due to have a face to face meeting with her tomorrow.

Uncertain

sammyjammy wrote: »

I don't think it would be fair to the employer to go off sick if you have no intention of returning......

Sam

Fair is a matter of opinion, some may take the view that anything that is legal is, be definition, fair.

It is for your doctor to decide if you are unwell. If the doctor considers you should be off sick then he will issue a certificate.

Unless you can show that there is an agreement for sick pay the you will only get SSP (not for the first three days) and only then if your earning are above the baseline for SSP (c. £100 pw IIRC).

Does the vet know you are pregnant? If so he will, if he has any sense, tread very carefully indeed. If not tell him immediately.

I would also imagine there are a number of risks in a vet's surgery to be avoided if pregnant. Radiation (X-Rays) is an immediate one that springs to mind.

This could mean you can only really do the reception which may solve your problem?

Uncertain

Presumably the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons must offer some advice on pregnancy risks? I suggest you contact them.

Uncertain

CHARDONNAY wrote: »

Thank you.

I don't want to mess the employer around & would quite happily resign, however I don't know if I would be able to claim any benefits if I did leave.

Probably not, don't resign!

Jeff_Bridges_hair

You should not be doing any vet nurses jobs as for this you need to be trained or at least be in Uni/College doing the course to qualify you to do so with on site training.

I would inform the vet that as you are now pregnant you are only going to do the work that you were employed for - did you keep a copy of the advert? This way it will then be up to him to terminate your employment should he see fit. I would advise against leaving on your own as this will affect your benefits

CHARDONNAY_3

I've informed the owner (who owns a no of clinics) & the vet (who works at my clinic) that I'm pregnant so the people at work know, but don't seem that concerned.

The whole business is a shambles, no contracts, late pay, staff asked to work at different clinics with next to no notice, it's all just so stressful.

I'm also really struggling financially as it's weekly pay but I've only received my 1st wks pay last fri despite being there 4 wks.

I had a form from housing benefit for the owner to fill in to est income until I receive payslips, but she lost the form & I've only received 1 wks payslip, so haven't been able to sort out HB & CTB so I'm not going to be able to pay rent/council tax this month, which is stressing me more.

I don't have a copy of the job ad but I too thought you could only do vet nursing if you were qualified or a student nurse, altho I doubt this company care.

NowWhat_2

I've a feeling I know just which company you work for - I cannot recall their name - but there was a large expose article recently in a newspaper about them.

This being the case - I very much doubt they are at all bothered about the fact that you arent qualified to be a veterinary nurse.

Do you have a letter formally offering you the job? What does that letter say? I suppose it says something along the lines of "We are pleased to offer you the position of RECEPTIONIST" - ie not a veterinary nurse position.

I suggest you look out that letter and keep a tight hold of it - you might need what proof you can get if you come to claiming benefit from the DWP as to why it happened - if you end up getting sacked.

I also suggest you look up the qualifications and experience necessary to be a veterinary nurse - in the same way as you would if that was the type of job you actually wanted to apply for. I believe there must be a level of qualifications and experience people require specifically for such posts - and your employer knew at the outset that you didnt have that - and therefore should not be expecting you to do this. I think it will be useful for you to find out what people need to be able to do a job like this - so do look it up.