Question about work and pregnanacy

cristyd · #1 Aug 3, '12, 6:40 am

Hello

I am pregnant now in only 6 weeks and i also have a cold. I am working in an IT company and on 12 hours shifts and also days, nights, weekend. The doctor forbade me to work anymore on any kind of shifts and she said from now on i should work only from Monday to Friday and 8 hours program. I told at work and they changed the schedule for me. Now they called that if i don't want to back up one colleague on Sunday for a 12 hour shift. I said no. I thought that if i accept now then they will feel free to call me also other times and ask me to back up other colleagues.
Now i am scared that if something happens to the pregnancy they will fire me. But i thought that the priority should be now the child and if the doctor said no more shifts i should not put it to danger.

**1ke** · #2 Aug 3, '12, 6:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by cristyd

Now i am scared that if something happens to the pregnancy they will fire me.

Are you in the US or another country? It pays to know the law where you live. In the US, Pregnancy is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act for work accomodations and it is also covered under FMLA regarding time off. It is also covered under most short term disability policies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cristyd

But i thought that the priority should be now the child and if the doctor said no more shifts i should not put it to danger.

Certainly. Make sure you've given documentation from your doctor to your HR department.

cristyd · #3 Aug 3, '12, 7:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ke

Are you in the US or another country? It pays to know the law where you live. In the US, Pregnancy is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act for work accomodations and it is also covered under FMLA regarding time off. It is also covered under most short term disability policies.

Certainly. Make sure you've given documentation from your doctor to your HR department.

No, I am not from US so i don't know what are the acts you are speaking about. But i know that according to the law they are obliged to accommodate my shifts to normal 8 hours during pregnancy.