should i travel for work at 30 weeks pregnant

jenhug

you also need to check that if you do fly, what would hppen if you went into prem labour? Would you be covered by employee insurance to cover medical costs for you and your baby?

the_cat

I would be less than interested in impressing a company who thought it acceptable to ask me to travel abroad in the latter stages of pregnancy, despite knowing that it is not recommended medically

Is this an indication of how 'employee friendly' they are generally?:eek:

belfastgirl23

Well first things first, is there anyone else within the company who can do it, or is it strictly your responsiblity?

Beyond that, is there any option for using skype, videoconferencing etc to 'attend' the parts of the business you need to go to.

And how vital to the business is it that you attend?

I think your strategy has to be different depending on all of this. If you're the only person who can go, it's vital to the future of the business and it's not possible to skype in etc then personally I would bite the bullet, particularly if I could Eurostar it. And negotiate the shortest amount of time possible to be away.

But I would definitely explore first of all whether there's any flexiblity so that instead of saying 'I don't want to go' you could be saying 'I've been thinking about this and I think Paul is the right person to go and I will brief him and make sure he's up to speed on all the key elements of the work, and will be constantly available by mobile if he needs me' or whatever.

Good luck!

thorsoak

What about video conferencing? Could you not offer that as an alternative?

BustyB_2

I used to be cabin crew and the rules stated that to fly after 28 weeks you need a letter from the doctor. You cannot fly after 36 weeks.
I personally wouldn't risk it.
Hope this helps
B xxx

andrealm

I would have felt well enough to travel at that stage, but wouldn't have been happy about travelling alone in case anything happened, and I needed to go into hospital. Apart from the possibility of going into labour early, you could develop high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, you just never know. I might have gone on a relaxing break with my OH if it was only a short break but I don't think I would have been happy about travelling on business.

Is there nobody else who could go instead of you?

paul2louise

thanks for the replies. The visit is for a technical meeting which will involve lots of meetings and presentations, of which I am the UK tech person. I will certainly suggest video conferencing but not sure if that would work. Having said that I am in a temporary role of which is not being renewed after my pregnancy and they have already recruited my replacement. I dont really want to go but I wanted to show willing and not seem like i am using the "pregnancy" as an excuse. The flight option was already not my preffered choice that I was looking for as i dont think easy jet offer a business class option and i have found the luggage carrying and small spaces on a plane earlier in my pregancy more difficult than i would like. I have a meeting next week at 25 weeks preganant to go to Netherlands but for this trip i am using the ferry. i will ask HR about a risk assessment and check the company insurance and see what they suggest.

Louise

the_cat

paul2louise wrote: »

. Having said that I am in a temporary role of which is not being renewed after my pregnancy and they have already recruited my replacement.

I understand you want to continue everything as if you weren't pregnant. I was like that too:o

Can't really see what advantage there would be to you doing it though bearing in mind the above

clairehi

paul2louise wrote: »

I am in a temporary role of which is not being renewed after my pregnancy and they have already recruited my replacement.

so you are not going back after maternity leave then? in which case I wouldnt bother with the trip if you dont want to, there doesnt seem any reason for you to put yourself out for the company.

belfastgirl23

In this case I would certainly suggest that your replacement goes. Besides anything else it's a chance for him/her to network in with other important contacts, so a potential benefit to the business as well. I'd try this line first and add in 'and given my current state, I would be perfectly happy not to go'. And hope they pick up on it