Employers lack of concern for pregnancy/job hunting while pregnant

[RachaelDee]

So I'm about 6 weeks in with my first child. I work at an environmental lab in sample receiving. I'm finding my employers/management staff do not care about my pregnancy. They understand that the smells can be a bit much and are considerate there, but where it comes to heavy lifting/being on my feet all day/late hours they dont. No one offers to help, no matter how heavy the coolers get (100 8 Oz bottles full of water in each cooler.) When I ask for help I get no response. Sometimes they even walk away. Anyone experience job searching while pregnant? Any tips?

[TwinCubs]

Definitely talk to your doctor. He or she can give you a note excusing you of any physical work expectations that can negatively affect your pregnancy. Best of luck!

[RachaelDee]

To snuggleshelly: we are never alone, the right support is there, just harder to find. I wish you the best of luck, and know you'll make the right choice. To swats and Duerrgirl: thank you for the insightful words. I will hit the job search with confidence (after getting that doctors note. Who knows, maybe that will fix things.) :) good luck with your pregnancies! Hopefully the morning sickness will be brief. :)

[swatts919]

You don't have to tell them your pregnant right off the bat your very early in pregnancy. Plus if you've been lifting higher amounts of weight you can continue to do that just don't push it higher than what your body is used to.

[RockRose]

I think probably you need to get better clarification on work laws.  It's not true that if your doctor says you are unable to perform a certain physical task,  your employer has to continue employing you and just find someone else to do that part of your job.  Especially in a small business of 13 employees - it's not like a very large company where another job can be found to move you to.

It sounds like you were hired to lift and carry large parcels,  and you're unable to do that anymore.  Some employers might move you to a different position,  but they're not obligated to.  They still need someone to do lifting,  which is what you were hired to do.  150 pounds is too heavy for a pregnant woman to lift and carry.

I think you need to find another job.  At 6 weeks,  no one will be able to tell you're pregnant.

[hkjen]

If you could lift that weight before you got pregnant there's no reason to worry about lifting it now.  I'm 35w and still lift my 3year old.  Unless you have a medical reason why you can no longer lift that weight (and simply 'being pregnant' is not enough of a reason) your employer (and any future employer) is under no obligation to change your duties.

[RachaelDee]

I appreciate your answer. However, they were items I couldn't lift before pregnant. The coolers weight upwards of 150 lbs. Now I really can't lit them. I wouldn't complain if I was given a dolly, but I'm not. So I'm not trying to be whiny, just safe.

[hkjen]

Fair enough, if they've changed your job requirements since finding out you're pregnant, then you're certainly in a position to complain.  But surely it's easier to just say to them "sorry that's too heavy for me to lift", and leave the pregnancy bit out of it.  If you couldn't have lifted it before it makes no difference whether or not you're pregnant now.  

[hkjen]

I guess what I'm saying is that no employer is going to give you special treatment/extra support when you're only 6 weeks pregnant.  If you use your pregnancy as a justification for wanting a change to your duties they are not going to be sympathetic (and nor should they, there's nothing you can't do now that you could do 6 weeks ago, bar a few limits on toxin exposure).

[Duerrgirl]

First off I would talk to your OB about lifting things, if they give you the go ahead to keep lifting or give you a weight limit then you can approach your boss and explain. Most OB's will write a note for you.

If she still throws a fit or there are still issues swatts919 is right you don't have to tell a new employer you're pregnant at the interview. I didn't tell y boss till I was second trimester and she took it very well.

[swatts919]

I would go to someone higher up and see what you can do how could they care about smells but not lifting that's absurd.

[RachaelDee]

I wish there was someone higher up. It's a small company, 13 employees. Female owner believe it or not (she loves talking about her grandchildren, has no respect for pregnancies in the office apparantly). I just have to get out at this point. A little fearful to go through an interview knowing I'm pregnant...

[snuggleshelby]

I'm about 9 weeks and trying to job search as well. Glad to know I'm not alone. Any advice would be appreciated