Should I tell my employer about my baby-making plans?

Franigan

Good afternoon everyone! First time I open a thread!! :eek:

Let me explain:

where I work they use a lot of chemicals and toxic products. I don't work directly with these materials but I can smell the fumes all day. There is no way I'm going to spend my first 3 months of pregnancy (whenever the time will come) with the risk of creating problems for the baby.
I am planning to start to TTC in a few weeks, but I have no idea how to go around to find out information and who to talk to. My employer? Our H&S representative?
It'd be the first case I know where an employee had to tell the employer about baby making plans rather than telling them by the 12th week of pregnancy!!

Anyone who experienced a similar sort of problem?

Thank you in advance!!

lilmissreading

Personally, as a suspicious person, I would not tell them about TTC in case it damaged your career, they let you go if there were threatened redundancies etc. This may be paranoid or not, the trouble is you wouldn't know until you said how your employer reacts. Plus if it took a long time to conceive (again an unknown variable) it might give them more chance to boot you if they wanted or possibly could be emotionally fraught if people kept asking and it hadn't happened.

My friends who work in forensic settings both chose to wait until 12 weeks and at the point at which they told, were taken off their respective jobs and assigned office jobs. Someone on the pg thread currently told before 12 weeks due to working at height. Someone else had to tell before 12 weeks in order to get time off for their scan. The first experienced no problems, the second has been harassed and bullied out of her job.

Check out your work policy. The ladies in forensic settings had a clear policy stating that once they informed of pg they would have a risk assessment completed and everything happened very fast. I don't work in a dangerous job so am doing the same but my risk assessment was done within a week of saying.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Rowingirl

Don't tell your employer that you are TTC'ing as it could take you awhile to conceive. You don't have protected employmentstatus so could be vulnerable if your employer makes redundancies. Tell your employer as soon as you know you're pregnant. S/he must risk assess your job to ensure you aren't exposed to additional risks due to your pregnancy. If there are additional risks then they must make changes or move you to a different role or give you paid leave until your maternity leave starts (last resort). If you need additional support at work check if your workplace has a union & join; the rep should give you advice and will accompany you to meetings with your boss if you want them too.

Good

mr_knight

When I worked in microbiology there were certain things woman were not allowed to do because the chemicals were harmful to unborn babies. There was no option and we couldn't be in the room when these chemicals were being used. Didn't matter if we were or weren't trying for a baby.

In my current job I have checked out all the risk assessments so I know anything which could be potentially harmful. In fact there is a document which lists chemicals that could be dangerous to pregnant woman which is really useful.

If you are using chemicals you must have risk assessments? They should identify any risks for you. I personally wouldn't have wanted to tell my employer but it is your decision.

tayforth

I'd be raising concerns, TTC or not! Sounds like a very unhealthy work environment. :eek:

tea_lover

You should have access to the COSHH assessments and MSDSs, read these to see if there's any mention of additional risks.

daisiegg

I personally wouldn't tell them about TTC. It is a very personal thing and it takes some people a long time. Imagine if it took you a while and each month that goes by you know your boss knows. I just think it could add another unpleasant element to a process that can be very stressful for some people already. Besides, they have no obligation to keep you away from the chemicals etc if you are not pregnant, even if you are TTC. I echo others who would say just tell them as soon as you know you are pregnant.

IrishRose12

I would personally wait until I fell pregnant before telling my employers. You don't know how long it will take to conceive and it could take 1 week to 1 year :eek:

Franigan

Gawd, that was quick!Thanks everyone!

The thing is: maybe I didn't need it as I practically only answer the phone , but I didnt receive any COSHH training/awareness when I started (companies normally train you even for the simple ink for the desk printer or tipp-ex!!).
I cant see them moving me anywhere else 'cause the smell gets to all the offices.
I do find it ridiculous having to say anything for a baby that will maybe that months or years to come!!
I'll see whatever policy I can find. The "maternity" section on my contract is something like 5 lines only...
Will have a proper-proper look as soon as I can.

Thanks again for the quick replies!

PS: yes, I am also concerned for myself but everyone does not seem to be phased by the smell. Maybe it smells bad but isnt bad?!?! God knows..

vicstick86

I had to tell my work as soon as I was pregnant due to the dangerous nature of my job, I told them at 6 weeks, when i found out, and they risk assessed me. Which i imagine would happen to you.
I told my managers it was from a purely professional point of view so they could look out for me n didnt want anyone else to know until I decided to tell! So it was kept quiet.

as for telling them I was trying noooo waaaay! You open yourself up to a whole heap of problems plus it isnt there business. Also they cant change your job role the minute you say your trying that would be ridiculous, it took me 18 months to get pregnant....I would have been sacked if I refused to do my job for 18months on the off chance I might get pregnant! Even after I told them I carried on my role until I was 5 months pregnant, under ongoing risk assessments. There will be something in place you wont be the first woman to get pregnant who works with chemicals...

getmore4less

If the place is dangerous you should have asked/checked before you started(both sexes) or as soon as you suspected there may be health risks.


There should be policies and guidelines in place, find them and read them.
if none get someone to raise the issue.

All women should know your employers attitude to pregnancy and maternity inside out, as should the men in the workplace.

With chemicals it is very important as the risks can be taken home.