Has anyone negotiated working fully remote during 3rd trimester?

I have been working only 1 day a week in the office, which I have been able to manage, but my work have changed their policy requiring me to be in 3 days a week.

I cannot manage this commute as I get weak on the tube, and struggle to carry my laptop and equipment now due to my size in the 3rd trimester. I am 31 weeks. My days are also quite long and I care for my 4 year old daughter.

Has anyone been able to fight a case for fully remote work due to being in the 3rd trimester?

I am generally well with no complications in my pregnancy so far, but am 42...so keen to take as much care as possible as this in our opinion is a miracle baby! (Like all of our little ones!)

I am due to start my maternity leave 3rd March and don't want to bring that forward.....

Xxx

[StarsAllAround]

I am in similar position, due to the nature of my job it can not be done from home I work Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5pm but due to commute I leave my house at 7.10am and don't get home till gone 6pm most days. It's exhausting I get in and just collapse on sofa most nights and just have no energy on weekends to do anything anymore. I've spoken to my boss but not much I can do so we've looked at what leave I can take and booked a day off every week in Feb so I can take a break. I am also finishing work on the last day of Feb now booked from then until due date as leave. If you can't work from home do you have any leave you could use? Or you could speak to GP and go sick? X

[Solly-44]

The exact same thing has just happened to me (I’m much earlier on than you though). The timing having wfh for a couple of years now couldn’t be worse could it?! I have to get a bus then tube and am already so nauseated in the mornings it’s a bit of a nightmare. I’m keeping annual leave for the last month but will try to negotiate wfh for the month before that I think. I’d really play up the physical aspects of lugging your equipment around, crowded tubes, feeling dizzy/exhausted etc. I think they have to make reasonable adjustments and given that you were already doing 4 days a week from home your set up is obviously already in place and working. I’d definitely give it a go! X

[Hidden in reply to Solly-44]

Def will add in the physical difficulties I am having - which isn't a lie.Also the covid/flu aspect in a busy office....

Hopefully you can get some allowances too.

Xxx

[ki50]

Hi Eb, as Solly says they have to do regular risk assessments and make reasonable adjustments. If they insist on you coming in can they pay for you to get cabs to and from the office? Not sure if it could help as well to get a doctor's note confirming what you say above so they have to take it more seriously? Or can they give you a second laptop to keep in the office so you don't have to lug all that stuff in (I already had this due to back issues previously). Check your maternity policy though. Hope you manage to get them to budge! x

[Hidden in reply to ki50]

Good idea about the laptop - and will re-read the policy again.

Thanks for responding xxx

[Purple276]

Hi EB20

How annoying for it to change now. I think you stand a good chance to stick to doing 1 day in the office but guess it depends on the reasons for their change to 3. Like Solly says you are set up to WFH, work need to do a risk assessment and make reasonable adjustments ( you could ask for an Occupational Health assessment if your work does those) and I'd highlight you are keen to carry on working and performing well and those wfh days will help you do that. Hope your boss is supportive.

I have a 70 mile drive commute so I'm very grateful my work have found a new secondment for the next 4 months that is only 1 day a fortnight in the office to help in the last trimester. Maybe that's an option depending on your role and employer?

Good luck 🙂 xx

[Hidden in reply to Purple276]

Thanks so much - I requested an occupational health assessment this morning.

Xxx

[Hidden]

Hey Eb, I am in a slightly different situation with work but I have found that my doctors have been really accommodating when it comes to sick/medical notes for special conditions, and to be honest work can't do much about it. As soon as you say your pregnant I find the doctors are super cautious and if you explained how tired you were getting and how you were concerned for your pregnancy then I am sure they would provide you with a note that said you should work from home full time. It also shouldn't do you any harm work wise as it's a doctors recommendation rather than you just saying you can't do it. Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Daisy - good point. Saying I won't do it is less effective than a doctors note for sure.

I will ask the midwives...

It is mostly my age/pelvic pain and I get weak standing on public transport at rush hours....

Hope all is going well for you - time is flying xxx

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone.

Really good advice here.

I am so close to finishing and my last day is beginning of March. So the timing to change the wfh policy hasn't been great.

I will ask about getting a spare laptop for the office and hopefully they allow me to maintain the 1 day a week for the short time until I go properly.

I have requested a occupational health evaluation this morning and will speak to my manager about tube/carrying things and the length of the day I am in.

Thanks for all the support everyone as usual.

Xxx

[Trying1234]

My doctor wrote me this sick note and I used it to start the convo

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[Hidden in reply to Trying1234]

Oh that's really helpful! X

[Trying1234]

no worries. In the reasons box it simply said high risk pregnancy