Light duties when pregnant

sangie595

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Sangie - am I right in thinking that if the OP went on the sick then at the point that the OP could theoretically go on maternity leave the company could force her to go on maternity leave (if that makes sense?)


I'm also guessing that there might not be 'light duties (given the nature of the business) for the OP to do?

Yes you are correct. There are mechanisms to enforce the start of maternity leave if someone is not fit for work. I'll admit I'd have to look them up as it never happens in a disputed way with our employers - if it happens it is necessary and the employees would agree. And, of course, that is made simpler by having fully paid periods of leave.

And yes, as I suggested, getting light duties may be something that isn't possible and the employer does not have to create a job to do this, or swap staff around. Effectively, if there is a "spare job " going that the OP can do they should consider this as an option. But I have to be honest, if the OP is unfit to do 15 hours work per week, I would be very concerned about their fitness for work at all. Being pregnant is not the same thing as being sick, and if there are complicating factors that mean they can't work, then that is medical advice that should be listened to. But in the end, the employer doesn't owe her a living, and expecting an employer to find you work other than your own because you want the money but not the work is not entirely fair on the employer either.

As for "needing money to keep their child", one would have hoped that this was something that was taken into consideration before getting pregnant. If they have been on ESA for some time, as suggested, then they are fully aware of the struggle to budget. If this is something they couldn't afford then, well, they shouldn't have done it! And I don't notice in this equation the money that "dad" will be paying to maintain his child. It takes two to make a child and two to maintain one. Not unsympathetic. Just realistic. People have, for better or for worse, been bringing up children "poor" for a very long time now, and it has always been their responsibility to consider how they afford things (or not). My parents were poor, and so were we growing up - but they produced three university educated children with good jobs and lifestyles. Money is not the sole, or even the most important, determinant of a better life. Although I will admit to having developed a huge aversion to second hand shops! I can live with lots of things, but the memories of being dragged from one to another to find clothes for the family .... I just can't face those shops! But on the other hand, my sewing and knitting skills are brilliant (lots of home made clothes) and most people I know are envious that I got taught!

montyrebel

what was your illness as being pregnant is not considered an illness but a condition and does not apply

Guest101

sangie595 wrote: »

Yes they are stretched in places. But they are also very well compensated for doing their job. That job does not include writing a fit note that says whatever their patient wants it to say. In acting in this manner they bring their profession into disrepute and leave employers doubting the credulity of people who are genuinely sick.

Oh no I totally understand it's more a prioritisation point rather than anything else.


I'd rather a GP kept an appointment free for those who need it than use one for a sick note which they are going to issue anyway.


But yes I totally see both sides of the argument. Was just presenting the other.

Beautyrose170

My gp is fully aware that none of my problems are going to disappear overnight and if he had it his way he would sign me off for the rest of my pregnancy. I'm lucky if I can ever get an appointment hence why majority of the time it has to be a two minute phone call. My gp is happy to do a fit note with suitable recommendations. Such as no heavy lifting, no standing on feet for long periods. With SPD these are a given so he doesn't need to see me to write these on a fit note.

sangie595

Beautyrose170 wrote: »

My gp is fully aware that none of my problems are going to disappear overnight and if he had it his way he would sign me off for the rest of my pregnancy. I'm lucky if I can ever get an appointment hence why majority of the time it has to be a two minute phone call. My gp is happy to do a fit note with suitable recommendations. Such as no heavy lifting, no standing on feet for long periods. With SPD these are a given so he doesn't need to see me to write these on a fit note.

So basically it seems you are saying that your doctor's advice is that you are not fit for work and it is you that is going against that advice because earning your wage is more important than your health? Or the health of your child? If your doctor considers that you should not be working for the rest of your pregnancy, it is very unwise to go against that advice.

Beautyrose170

sangie595 wrote: »

Yes you are correct. There are mechanisms to enforce the start of maternity leave if someone is not fit for work. I'll admit I'd have to look them up as it never happens in a disputed way with our employers - if it happens it is necessary and the employees would agree. And, of course, that is made simpler by having fully paid periods of leave.

And yes, as I suggested, getting light duties may be something that isn't possible and the employer does not have to create a job to do this, or swap staff around. Effectively, if there is a "spare job " going that the OP can do they should consider this as an option. But I have to be honest, if the OP is unfit to do 15 hours work per week, I would be very concerned about their fitness for work at all. Being pregnant is not the same thing as being sick, and if there are complicating factors that mean they can't work, then that is medical advice that should be listened to. But in the end, the employer doesn't owe her a living, and expecting an employer to find you work other than your own because you want the money but not the work is not entirely fair on the employer either.

As for "needing money to keep their child", one would have hoped that this was something that was taken into consideration before getting pregnant. If they have been on ESA for some time, as suggested, then they are fully aware of the struggle to budget. If this is something they couldn't afford then, well, they shouldn't have done it! And I don't notice in this equation the money that "dad" will be paying to maintain his child. It takes two to make a child and two to maintain one. Not unsympathetic. Just realistic. People have, for better or for worse, been bringing up children "poor" for a very long time now, and it has always been their responsibility to consider how they afford things (or not). My parents were poor, and so were we growing up - but they produced three university educated children with good jobs and lifestyles. Money is not the sole, or even the most important, determinant of a better life. Although I will admit to having developed a huge aversion to second hand shops! I can live with lots of things, but the memories of being dragged from one to another to find clothes for the family .... I just can't face those shops! But on the other hand, my sewing and knitting skills are brilliant (lots of home made clothes) and most people I know are envious that I got taught!

I took into account that I would be working my 15 hours per week until the baby was born as well as having esa and pip. I believed I could afford a child doing this. I obviously didn't plan for unforeseen circumstances like having SPD and high blood pressure. I also thought I would be getting maternity pay (as did my employer). But upon falling pregnant I found this not to be true. The father will be helping with this child And will be paying maintenance to him.

I am fit to do 15 hours a week as before I fell pregnant I had never had a day off sick and was very quickly promoted after I started the job, so I feel I am very capable.

I do know how to budget it would have been nicer to be able to work up until my due date to ensure my son could have everything he needed and more. I was brought up on a council estate with my family on the breadline. I don't wish this for my child, hence why I wanted to have as much money behind me so I could stay off after he was born for as long as possible.

I know my employer doesn't "have" to accommodate anything for me but I was just wondering if there was a way round me to continue working. I love my job and would rather not be off this early.

Luckily my employer has accepted me back to work with lighter duties and to come in and do my job as and when suits my hospital/doctor/midwife appointments. It's a family run buisness with family as a key value.

Beautyrose170

sangie595 wrote: »

So basically it seems you are saying that your doctor's advice is that you are not fit for work and it is you that is going against that advice because earning your wage is more important than your health? Or the health of your child? If your doctor considers that you should not be working for the rest of your pregnancy, it is very unwise to go against that advice.

If I feel okay in myself there is no reason as to why I shouldn't go back to work if minor changes can be made to my working day. The problems are with myself and not my son and are not life threatening, it's more I'm in pain but get on with it. I would rather be working than sitting on my back side doing nothing. If it got to the point where it did affect my health or my sons then that would be a different matter. But until then I will work as it's the best thing for my son

Luckily my employer has been great and is allowing me to come back and is being flexible with my working day and what I can't do

Kynthia

Make sure you don't push yourself. SPD can be incredibly painful and gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. See if you can get a referral for physio through your go. Our local hospital did a one-off group session for SPD/PGP with advice about no pushing or pulling (so no shopping trolley or hoovering), no heaving lifting, sitting on a fully inflated yoga ball, etc.

I hope your employer is flexible with you. Good luck.