pregnancy an excuse to not work?

Fisher03

I am just wondering if this happens to others?  I have coworkers who think that just because they are pregnant that they shouldn't be expected to do their work ( not because of maternity leave, appointments, or doctors orders). They think that they should just keep their feet up and not be required to do parts of their job even if they are only 3 months along. I can see if they are 8.5 months along and don't want to carry heavy things or walk miles to deliver things. They don't think they should be expected to stay later to help organize other events or finish up something..  Others don't want to bother them and just want to tip toe around them because of their moodiness. I guess that many of these workers have other excuses even when they aren't pregnant, so it shouldn't surprise me that they try to get out of things and use pregnancy as an excuse.

Granted I haven't been pregnant, and some day would like to be, but I don't see myself as getting out of work because I'm pregnant.  But maybe if this is what is expected than maybe I will get pregnant just to get out of doing work (just kidding by the way- if I have kids it will be for the right reasons).

I guess more than anything I just need to vent and heaven forbid I do it in front of them and risk their moodiness.   If others think that pregnant women should be treated differently on the job(within reason) then I guess I may need to change my feelings and get used to doing more work. 

vxs0038

Get HR involved.

lizardesque

That sucks, and it's not at all fair. Honestly, though, I think a lot of people are afraid of pregnant women (moodiness and all).

alabaster_angel

They are excuse finders. Luckily for them very few people will question people who are pregnant.

 You can definitely still punch a pregnant woman in the face though.

MarriedName

Fisher03:

 I guess that many of these workers have other excuses even when they aren't pregnant, so it shouldn't surprise me that they try to get out of things and use pregnancy as an excuse.

I would assume the same thing.  And they'll use their "hormones" as an excuse to be biitchy too.

They should not be treated differently, other than to make the reasonable accommodations you mentioned - not having to lift heavy things, etc.  Pregnant or not, they were hired to do a job, and they should be held accountable. 

JessieR933

I think it is just the world society has created. I mean there are social ques every where to hold pregnant up on a pedestal. I think it is a bunch of fluff. I agree 8 month this is more limitation, but unless they have ordered bed rest, they should be treated like everyone else. 

Ishaba11

I know it's annoying when people are getting out of doing work. But I guess if I was pregnant I wouldnt want to be carrying heavy boxes or walk miles to deliver things. Heck I don't even want to do that now and I'm not pregnant. I guess if that is your job then either a plan should be made so you can do something else for a time being or maybe take a leave of absence.

 

If you are that unhappy about it, I would talk to HR or a supervisor or something about it.

pinkpowerranger

I guess IMO, it would depend on what they're trying to get out of, and what the job requirements are.  If we're talking paper pushing and normal errands, that's one thing.  If we're talking heavy lifting and majorly physical stuff, that's different.

Even at 3 months, there are certain things that get more difficult to do (that's where I am now), but for me, that's more like "run 4 miles" or "single-handedly move this dresser upstairs".  I can still perform the other job duties I have without issue.

For me, it's more the horrible fatigue.  If you haven't experienced the fatigue, you wouldn't "get" it.  But most days after work, I go home feeling like I just ran 10 miles, even if all I did was sit at a desk writing programs.  It kinda knocks you off your feet, and it's really frustrating.  However, that isn't something that should be general knowledge to everyone in the office.  Heck, my hubby is the only one that sees that side of me, and it's after I've given all I have at the job during the day.

But from your OP, it sounds like these are the types who will find any excuse in the book to get out of things anyways, so they're just milking the pregnancy for all its worth.  And that, IMO, should be brought up to your supervisor, or even further, to HR.

miab304

actually, depending on the state you live in, you can't punch a pregnant woman in the face. its a federal offense and if she falls you can be sent to prison. If she presses charges against you its battery and assult. If she looses the child its considered murder. If you were ever pregnant you would understand that every pregnancy is different. Some women have a harder time working than others. Mine gets in the way a lot it all just depends on what they do for work. If they do a lot of labor work such as running around and carrying things, they have every right to sit down and take a break. The child's health is the most important thing and if she doesn't feel safe, a mothers instinct is always right. Now if shes sitting there pushing papers relaxing she has no right to complain. If shes doing strenuious activity it hurts and its not healthy for mother or child. before you go ragging on the internet about pregnant women being exhausted, try carrying a child inside of you for a couple months and see how much you like it.

fluttaby32

Seriously? Well TECHNICALLY you CAN punch a pregnant woman in the face. As long as you have a fist.

NavyBlue143

Punching anybody in the face is a crime. I'm pretty sure that comment was a joke. People on here do not usually actually advise you to punch someone.

I have had coworkers like this. One threw an absolute hissy fit and rewrote the schedule for our whole center because her lunch was pushed back 30 minutes one day. She didn't ask, just changed the schedule and told our boss it was life or death. She was 1 month pregnant and doesn't have blood sugar issues or anything.

Another quit after her doctor refused to excuse her from work for the duration of her pregnancy. Nothing wrong with her, just wanted to be put on disability leave.

Another is now 2 months pregnant, and she was useless before, so she's less than useless now. Calls in every week, and refuses to work while she is here.y director won't do anything either, she's such a pushover.

I have also worked with several ladies who were complete champs through their pregnancies and only asked for reasonable accommodation, which we happily gave.

KonaCoffeeBean

I've never experienced this problem. I'm an attorney, so very long hours, but not really physically demanding work. Aside from short but frequent absences for doctor appointments, I've never noticed a change in a pregnant co-worker's work habits.

gator26

I once worked on a team with someone like this as well. She spent more energy devising ways to get out of doing her work, than it would have taken her to just do the work in the first place! I'm sure you are not the only person noticing this behavior - it will catch up to her eventually.

moonprincessd

I've just recently encountered this. We have a girl, who was pregnant when hired, and now she never shows up. She might work 4 days a week but only show up for 1. The last time I saw her was when she came in to pick up her paycheck! I haven't seen her since and I'm sure our managers are fed up with her so she's probably going to get fired if she doesn't quit. 

She basically uses her pregnancy as an excuse to not come to work. She's also a teenager, so she probably isn't as responsible either. 

I have never been pregnant, but if you're going to use that as an excuse to not work, then why bother to work? Just stay home. 

Janessadawn

moonprincessd said:

I have never been pregnant, but if you're going to use that as an excuse to not work, then why bother to work? Just stay home. 

I feel the same. When I was in high school I worked with a lady who quit when she found out she was going to have a baby, only to come back a month or two later because she had to be employed part-time to qualify for some sort of government benefit, and she was allowed to quit after the baby was born. Needless to say, she did the bare minimum as well.

g1nge

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This is such a pet peeve of mine!!!  If you are having a good, healthy PG and feeling well, then you should be able to perform your duties (work, home, etc.) as usual.  You might not be able to lift heavy things, but if you are truly wanting to do a good job and fulfill your work commitments, then you should continue to work as expected.  The people who use PG as an excuse should just quit they're job b/c deep down they're being lazy.  I hate it when people use PG as an excuse not to do anything or quit b/c they don't feel like it!!!  I was a Pastry Chef when I was PG, so there was no sitting down and lots of walking, and I still managed!  Would even come home and start cleaning out the house in prep for the baby.  I also hate it when people complain about the heat when they're PG, but that's another soap box for another day.

cutiepie0104

I havent been pregnant either, but my Mother and Grandmother both worked until they popped. They are the most hardworking women I know, and I figure if your pregnancy is impeding on your work so much that co-workers notice, maybe you shouldnt be working.  It's not 1952 there are other people willing to do that job to it's full potential. Sorry to be blunt but it is true...