Maternity Leave issues

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Nessie_W — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:20:29 GMT

Are you using isoflourane for your GA's? If so check the data sheet- pregnant women are advised not to work with it at all and to also avoid operating and recovery rooms. Might help you put your case forward.

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Rachel Jayne — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:51:10 GMT

I've just remembered, I'm guessing it's much the same in england? as me in Wales, but you will have had loads of leaflets & things from your midwife +/- at least one Bounty pack?

In the "Pregnancy information" Bounty pack I had 2 leaflets about working & pregnancy, written by some government department, and one of the leaflets, a red one I believe, had a tear off section on the back page to give to your employer reiterating the rules & their responsibilities to you.

Have you had/seen this in anything you've had???

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Kelly Armstrong — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:12:04 GMT

the July copy of the VNJ has a Wright up "Working when pregnant" the lady who does all the advise is Nicky Ackerley. I have the artical if you need it i can get a photo copy and post it or even fax it to your practice for you it tells you all your employers responcabilitys. and if you still have problems you can call the BVNA legal helpline on 01822870270

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Susan Jackson — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:56:50 GMT

Hi,

Have a look in the BVNA mag, The nursing journal, there's a lady in there can't think of her name but she always does articals and employment law and ethics. Give her a ring or look for the article she did - place it in front of your boss. Most employers have no idea what they aree supposed to do with pregnancy.

Good luck

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Thorn — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:18:23 GMT

I think you are entitled to be firm and tell the boss exactly what you are and are not prepared to do. Its not fair for him to make out that you havent given him enough notice-surely the bump under your tunic was a giveaway! Its not a case of you being awkward, it is a case of you being a good parent and thinking of your health for the benefit of your baby. Does depend a little bit on your practice policy though I guess

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:19:06 GMT

When you had your meeting in May..... was everything in writing also? just a question but I think when you propose to leave etc, it should all be above board and in writing, mainly to keep you right and avoid situations like this.

There is nothing to stop you from cutting back, but if it has not been agreed in writing then they can probably say you are in breach of contract, which is not very good for you in this employment or any other for that matter. On the other hand, if they are asking you to do things either by not having a full health and safety arrangement in place for pregnancy, then I suppose the buck then lands back at their feet so to speak.

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Rachel Jayne — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:02:05 GMT

I've just completed a 6-month locum placement at the PDSA whilst pregnant (finished just in time for me to want to start maternity) the HN did a quite thorough H&S assessment on my first day there & it was decided that I wasn't to do ANY Animal Handling/GA's/Xrays etc, so spent the entire 6 months in the pharmacy! Not too bad as I am C-SQP too, but didn't do any clinical work at all!

They cannot refuse you leave when you want to go, you go!

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:26:15 GMT

With pregnancy they are meant to do a risk assessment for each individual (where I worked they had 4 nurses preg at once) and decide what you are willing or not willing to do. And what hrs you want to do coming up to your mat leave. And date of the start of mat leave.

But I would agree with what others have said that it it there problem not yours your under enough stress as it is. Personally don't think the receptionist should be 'covering' for you whilst you are away, but that's a different matter!

Good luck and hope you get things sorted. have you looked at the direct gov website loads of info on there

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_10026556

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Steph Phillips — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:50:52 GMT

[quote user="Sal (the 1st) Holesworth VN CMH Chyp (M)PNLP"]

then I would say dont make their problem your problem - hope it gets sorted out for you

[/quote]

Exactly!!

Sorry but I too would put my foot down! when I was pregnant with my son I took my leave at 8mths pregnant.. and like you I wanted to cut down before I went, and also cut down on my return - they agreed.

Does it say anything in your contract about pregnancy and leave?

At the end of the day, your health and baby's health is far more inportant than 'who will cover' - if they are worried about being under staff'd - tough - like sal said, their problem not yours - tell them you've worked your notice and bye bye! lol - good luck xx

Re: Maternity Leave issues

dallinson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:39:59 GMT

Thanks, will get a meeting with them if i think its too much x

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Sal the 1st — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:34:29 GMT

then I would say dont make their problem your problem - hope it gets sorted out for you

Re: Maternity Leave issues

dallinson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:29:59 GMT

We had a meeting in may to discuss my hours and leave and this was accpeted, but my boss turned to me today who was at the meeting and said he didnt realise that i was cutting back! just really annoyed as they have advertised in the practice but nowhere else so no applicants! feel like i am backed into a corner when i gave them loads of time to get it sorted but they havent bothered.

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Sal the 1st — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:16:52 GMT

so it boils down to the practice not wanting to employ a qualified even as a locum? Presumably you have given plenty of notice of wishing to change your hours and this was agreed to? How much notice did you give?

I can understand the practice saying they are going to be struggling but if you have given good notice and it has been agreed to - then surely the practice knew this was coming and should have made provision.

Re: Maternity Leave issues

dallinson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:06:01 GMT

Hi well my boss and I are incharge of health and safety. My mum works for citizens advise and said just tell them you cant do it or get a note from my doctor. I see my midwife on tue so was going to ask her what i should do. just feel like i have no choice and have left them in the lurch when they new all along when i was stopping and cutting down. would have sooner but they didnt want to hire a qualified nurse to take over.

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Busy bee — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:49:31 GMT

Do you have an allocated health and safety person you can talk to? Or a company who monitors your health and safety. The company we use states that any pregnant member of staff should not do what you are being asked to do (monitor GAs, x-rays etc) - I would contact BVNA legal helpline as this can't be right?

Can't they employ a part time locum?

Re: Maternity Leave issues

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:20:37 GMT

i cant say leagaly but if i were u i would put my foot down and say no. do you have any holiday left to take . wiould contact bvna advice or citizons advice. that does not seem right to me. x