Help! I'm paranoid! HR?

lorist202

I just attained a new position in a Fortune 500 company through a temp agency.  My newly formulated team has been subjected to classroom training sessions and workshops all week, and it's a desk job.  The agency obviously did not mention to the company that I'm expecting, although I did tell the agent upon receiving word of hire.  

So today, after everyone left, my manager asked, "How do you feel sitting all day like that?" I work in HR and this is an HR position. To me, this just seemed to be a red flag.  I don't think that mgr and I have developed a relationship at this point where we can speak candidly about anything personal.  Plus, its clearly a bit of an awkward situation for us both, no?  I'm 21 weeks and very big.

As an HR person, I would be steering clear of this type of convo, unless I was fishing for a reason to get this person out.  BTW, my answer was that it's hard to sit through class, but not because I'm pregnant; I just haven't been in class since college!

Am I being paranoid?  HR peeps please chime in!

hopefulmom81

I might be reading this wrong, but it sounds like they might honestly just be checking to see that you are okay.  Legally, they have to provide "reasonable accommodations" if you are struggling to sit comfortably for that long.

lorist202

hopefulmom81 said:

I might be reading this wrong, but it sounds like they might honestly just be checking to see that you are okay.  Legally, they have to provide "reasonable accommodations" if you are struggling to sit comfortably for that long.

Yes they do.  However, seems to me that few companies or HR depts. would seek out a reason for an accommodation.  She is seasoned enough to know that any question you ask an employee is potentially a huge can of worms.  If I responded by saying it is hard for me to sit so long, she would have to accomodate my constant coming in/out of this important material for each team member to learn.  Who knows what else I might request, and then comes my Dr. Documentation.  I just find it hard to believe she would invite that without my initiating it...  

However, I'm hoping for the best here, so hopefully its just my own paranoia!

groovygrl

Without seeing/hearing the nonverbal or tone, it just sounds like concern. Maybe she was pg once and really struggled w/ all day meetings like that. ???

daisy662

Maybe she just generally cares. You are way overreacting IMO.

Mrs_Lady

Yeah- i think you are a bit paranoid. Contact agency and see if they informed co of your pregnancy status less to worry about that way! Good luck! We hired Recruiter 7.5 mos pregnant plus full mat leave. You never know

VOR

So now we're not allowed to even ask how an employee is feeling?  Huh.  Good times.

LoCarb

I think you are reading too much into it. It's the first question which can be interpreted in many different ways. If you receive multiple follow up questions asking about personal life and you feel uncomfortable then there is an issue.

*sparky*

VOR said:

So now we're not allowed to even ask how an employee is feeling?  Huh.  Good times.

I agree w/this, and w/the others who said you are reading too much into this.  It seems to me like a harmless question, and she is perhaps just trying to make sure you are comfortable, or just making idle chit chat.  I would in no way interpret this question as an indication that she is trying to get you out of there.

redjellybean128

I think you are reading too much into it, especially since it is a job through a temp agency. If you are concerned, I'd contact the agency and ask if the company said anything to them, but honestly,  to me, it sounds like the person was just trying to be helpful.