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2nd Trimester
Mandatory Overtime (possibly a little whiny)
So, due to short staffing, my job has been requiring mandatory overtime from everybody on a weekly basis. This isn't just a temporary, in-a-pinch type thing -- it's been this way the entire 6 months I've worked there (doesn't seem like they're trying very hard to me.....ANYWAY). They'll call people in on their days off, or randomly fill people's names in on shifts, up to 16 hours a day. We already work 10 hour shifts (I work 2p-midnight with no chance of getting dayshift) and typically only get one 15min break per shift. Being 22 weeks pregnant, I'm not comfortable with this. I'm already exhausted as it is. The job is very active and stressful (residential facility for teenage girls and babies). Does anybody think my doctor would side with me on not allowing me to work over 40 hours a week? Or am I being a baby? Or.....any other input?
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Re: Mandatory Overtime (possibly a little whiny)
For the last 3 months I have been working between 55-60 hours. I also work in a manufacturing plant so I do alot of running around.
If you feel like you can't handle working that many hours than talk to your doctor and ask them to limit you, but honestly unless your bleeding, spotting or dying I don't see why you can't just talk to your manager and ask them before pulling the my doctor say so card.
Oh I know I definitely don't have the worst or toughest work situation. It's just not one I feel....okay with. And I can't tell anymore when I'm being rational or not, haha.
And our administration isn't the most understanding group of people. I work with a couple people who have legitimate medical issues and they were unable to get any cooperation without back-up from a doctor.
I think you're being rational. I thought you were legally required to have longer than a 15 minute break for a 10 hour shift. I used to have 10 minutes for every 4 hours and then either a 30 or 60 minute lunch break.
I figured since you work with moms and babies, your administration would be more understanding and compassionate.
I agree with the PP, I would still talk to your manager first, and if that doesn't get you anywhere - get a doctor's note. I can't imagine your doctor wouldn't be supportive of a shorter work week if the overtime causes you additional exhaustion and stress.
Good luck!
This varies by state, and if your place of employment advises you at hiring that your break situation will be different, that is what they can go by.
I don't think you would have an issue obtaining a dr's note stating that you are limited to x hours per week. I wouldn't want to be working tons of OT either, especially if it's on short/no notice-- I'm totally exhausted by the end of the day and I only work 37 hours a week.
I went through mandatory overtime almost my entire first pregnancy. I was unable have my doctor sign off on the overtime because each week the overtime I was supposed to do would be deducted from my sick time which in turn was my maternity leave pay. I was unable to take an unpaid maternity leave due to finances but I made it through. I totally feel your pain and I hope something works out.
Yes, did you not include a lunch break or something? They are required to give a 30 min. break. I don't know if its at four or five hours but its definately way before 10 hours.
Yeah, I don't think you can get the mandatory overtime taken away. Unless you have a physical limitation of some sort that the doctor can sign off on. If it's a healthy pregnancy, you will be expected to do what everyone else does. Or maybe you can get light duty, but again, you will need some physical limitation with a doctor's note. You have a right to demand your breaks and lunches though. You're employer has to comply with that. I work 12 hour shifts, and sometimes go into 15-18 hours if there's an emergency. I'm lifting quite a bit of weight also. I'm worried about the latter part of my pregnancy. I have the option to go PRN and loose my benefits if I need to. So I'm keeping that in mind. Best of luck to you. Hope it gets better. It's just a few more months.
Oh and get some compression stockings, support hose and some really good shoes. Hopefully your coworkers are helping you out as best they can.
Thanks for all the responses. I didn't mean to bail out on this post -- I haven't had any internet access due to moving.
In regards to the break thing....I'm not sure if they get away with this because of the nature of the facility or what (having to have constant supervision and a certain ratio of staff to clients at all times, etc.) because the last place I worked was similar and was the same way with breaks. It definitely sucks though.
And yes, you would think that since they work with pregnant girls every day they would be more attuned to such things. But I really think it has somehow made them less caring and tolerant of the issue. They have a very 'suck it up' attitude there.