Pregnancy discrimination help.

[stressed157]

Hi, I won't give out too many details but I'm after some advice on dealing with my line manager.

We've got no rep in our office so feeling a little alone. I'm pregnant, told my line manager IN CONFIDENCE 6 weeks ago. Asked for a risk assessment and he refused. I should mention I've had several miscarriages so the first trimester is risky for me.

Managed to keep working before being signed off for a week with hyperemesis. Put on medication. Then had my Rota week. Returned to work to find out that every member of staff knows. He's told them all. My family don't even know, I certainly didn't want it gossiped about in the office. I didn't have a return to work, line manager simply told me he's considering a review one for my absence! Still won't risk assess me.

Where do I stand here? I'm so stressed and end up in tears every night at the thought of facing him the next day.

[motherhubbard]

Contact your Branch and get hold of the Area Rep, women's officer and equality officer and let them deal with your manager.
You don't need any of this stress.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Contact the Equalities office at your branch, or any senior female rep you know and watch them tear this misogynistic, ill informed gossiper apart. You'll probably have to put a grievance in but just off the top of my head he has broken 2 laws. Data Protection and H&S at Work. Also they should be able to clarify my assumption that any absence caused by the pregnancy is automatically discounted.

http://www.cwu.org/assets/_files/docume ... Rights.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

H&S pregnancy.PNG

sick leave pregnancy.PNG

[stressed157]

Thanks, I've just looked up the names and numbers of who I need. We've been without a rep for so long that managers just take the piss, area rep doesn't visit.
I feel like what he's done is out of order but I just wanted to check first, never been through anything like this. Our old line manager was nicer...

[P13]

Email Linda Roy at CWU headquarters

[POSTMAN]

Just had to delete a post regarding getting someone to give the manager a good hiding.
Please refresh yourselves with the rules,the link is around somewhere.

[whisperstar24]

Sickness
• We understand there may be times when you’re
unable to come to work because you’re ill.
• Agree with your manager how you will keep in
regular contact during your sickness absence.
• If you’re unable to come to work, you need to
speak to your manager (or their deputy if they’re
unavailable), as soon as possible. You should ideally
speak to them before you’re due to be in work.
• When you come back to work you should complete
an absence declaration form (available from your
manager), for the first seven days of absence.
A fit note should be provided for absences longer
than this.
• Your manager keeps a record of your absence to
make sure you are meeting the agreed standards.
• Absences relating to pregnancy will be and
accidents at work or disability may be discounted
when deciding if your attendance levels meet with
required standards.
Long-term sickness
• Long-term absence is more than 14 calendar days.
• You and your manager will maintain contact on a
weekly basis and agree a contact plan. Your manager
will discuss the situation and support you to get back
to work as soon as practicable.
• This may include agreeing short-term modifications,
long-term modifications or redeployment.
• See the Ill health policy summary section for more
information.
Welcome

[bogstandard]

Good luck with your pregnancy. From your post i would suggest getting hold of your area rep as the in confidence discussion you had is an IR issue, your area H and S rep as your risk assessment would be their domain, your equality rep as your pregnancy is a protected characteristic and your branches womens officer. I can imagine you are thinking 4 reps, but let them decide them best course of action, and, if you are happy go with it. i can imagine that you just want it sorted, quietly no aggro, it just to be done. First 2 for me would be the equality officer and the womans rep, not necessarily in that order. Let this lot do all the worrying, you do what you have to do to look after yourself. You are your number 1 priority in all of this, and again good luck.

[stressed157]

A bit of an update. Waiting to hear back from a couple of reps, I tried again to ask for a risk assessment. Line manager is now saying that the DSM has told him to refer me to Atos instead. Surely that can't be right?! It's not a case of me needing rehab, I'm pregnant! So still not risk assessed.

[cloherty1976]

A bit of an update. Waiting to hear back from a couple of reps, I tried again to ask for a risk assessment. Line manager is now saying that the DSM has told him to refer me to Atos instead. Surely that can't be right?! It's not a case of me needing rehab, I'm pregnant! So still not risk assessed.

I take it you have given it to your line manager in writing that you are pregnant as I am sure this is required by law. Also it gives you and them a timescale to assess your best needs in office?

[stressed157]

Yes, handed over weeks ago. He's also seen my pregnancy notes, note stating I have hyperemesis and a request from my midwife that I'm risk assessed.

[cloherty1976]

That's good news.hopefully it will be sorted soon and you can enjoy your pregnancy

[TrueBlueTerrier]

A bit of an update. Waiting to hear back from a couple of reps, I tried again to ask for a risk assessment. Line manager is now saying that the DSM has told him to refer me to Atos instead. Surely that can't be right?! It's not a case of me needing rehab, I'm pregnant! So still not risk assessed.

Oh Assist (used to ATOS) are Occupational Health "experts" for Royal Mail In this case they are ideal if handled correctly as they will have both the medical knowledge and occupational information to be able to nake a good risk assessment even if its over the phone.

My advice would be to be as honest and open as possible with them, give them a chance and they may be able to get the manager to back off. One things for sure he shouldn't go against what they recommend without naking sure he is right in the first place. What I eman to say - its one thing to go against your and your medical teams advice, its entirely another to go against in house medical advice from OH Assist.

[mudmonster]

Firstly, congratulations and I hope everything goes all right for you, ,it sounds like the DOM in question hasn,t a clue about keeping confidentiality and to let it out all over the office is just mindless Hopefully they will be taken to task over it

[Glenno]

A bit of an update. Waiting to hear back from a couple of reps, I tried again to ask for a risk assessment. Line manager is now saying that the DSM has told him to refer me to Atos instead. Surely that can't be right?! It's not a case of me needing rehab, I'm pregnant! So still not risk assessed.

They need your permission to refer to Atos