Handling work stress :(

dhreczuck · October 2012

How do you all manage stress from work? I'm entering the most busy time of year at work which will last through the end of January. Last week I was basically working 10hr days, no real break for lunch other than grabbing something and eating at my desk.

If I'm lucky I get home by 7 usually 715ish, and then I'm back on the computer on and off until I go to bed at 11. The expectation at this time of year is that we're available around the clock should something come up after business hours, it's not unusual for my boss and cfo to send emails after 8pm.

Its just not realistic or healthy for me or the baby to do this going forward. I'm going to talk to my boss tomorrow and let him know I'm imposing a curfew for myself, I'm nervous but I've worked there through my last 2 m/c's, so I hope he'll be as understanding as he has been in other situations.

danieleandwayne · October 2012

Sounds like you have the right idea, going to your boss and talking about it up front.

I work a very physically and emotionally demanding job and I have had to make some adjustments, too, but luckily most of my coworkers have been accommodating. (I was helping one coworker today by putting her patient on the commode and she came in to empty it for me because she knows my m/s is so bad and this guy's poo does NOT smell like roses!)

I think that, as women, we are going to face this choice over and over again-- work demands vs. family demands. We might as well start now, right? If your boss is not as understanding as he has been in other situations, I would definitely suggest some hints about how, under the ADA, reasonable accommodations have to be made-- not that pregnancy should be considered a "disability" but it is for occupational hazards purposes.

RamZL · October 2012

danieleandwayne:
If your boss is not as understanding as he has been in other situations, I would definitely suggest some hints about how, under the ADA, reasonable accommodations have to be made-- not that pregnancy should be considered a "disability" but it is for occupational hazards purposes.

It shouldn't be considered a "disability", but (at least in my state), in order to be paid a percentage of pay while on Maternity Leave, one should have been smart enough to invest in "Short Term Disability" before becoming preggers.

That being said...Perhaps disability accommodations aren't that outlandish a consideration? Just thinking out loud...

kat1221 · October 2012

That's really tough but I def think that talking to your boss is a good idea. Hopefully he will be understanding and supportive. You have to take care of yourself and that baby and that means getting plenty of rest and keeping your stress level in check.

Good Luck!

dhreczuck · October 2012

I guess my biggest concern is that our bonuses are based on alot of stuff that happens over the next few months, I don't think my boss would ever ding my bonus because I'm pregnant but you never know. I can work as hard an anyone else during the day, but I have to eat when I'm hungry and go to bed when I'm tired. I don't think that's unreasonable?

I have short term disability, (employers are required to offer it in NYstate) but unless something comes up that is a medical issue, pregnancy alone isn't considered a disability. I'm lucky we actually have a fairly generous disability policy, the state benefit is basically pocket change!

NicoleWI · October 2012

This sounds super sucky, pregnant or not! Are you in accounting or something like that? I just think you have to be clear and firm about taking care of yourself first, b/c you need to do that while you're pregnant, no matter what the boss thinks.

elizabethnseanny · October 2012

I'm in the same situation and spoke with my boss about it a few weeks ago when I went a little biserk from exhaustion at home one evening. No more working meetings through 9am2pm, I need a break for lunch to put my feet up and eat. I have always been completely accessible, but now sometimes I say, that time is not good for me, I can meet blank, or get it to you by blank. I don't have a problem jumping back on from home if needed, but if I'm in bed by then, I get to it in the morning. So far handling emails from the executive team first thing am hasn't been a problem. I was up for a raise this quarter, and even with my boundaries I put up and discussion about eating and breaks he gave me the raise. the problem with my boss is the shock on his face when I said I planned to take the whole 12 weeks after birth. I will end up working from home some I'm sure. Good luck!

Country Girl in the City · October 2012

I eat two meals a day at my desk with 10 hour days being the requirement all year (I do get every other Friday off but check in via blackberry during that day). I am also expected to be on call 24 hours a day. It was really, really hard during the first trimester. It is easier now that I am past the yucky all day morning sickness. The most important thing for me was to keep lots of food in my office. I keep protein bars, crackers, and other prepackaged snacks in my office. I also had a morning sickness drawer with preggie pops, various types of ginger, and tums. Now that I am having a lot of swelling, I keep a garbage can turned upside down under my desk so that I can prop up my feet.

The really hard part is arranging everything around my doctors appointments. It has taken some time to get it all to work but it is possible.

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