Pregnant moms who still work often need adjustments to their jobs (fewer liftings, is one best example.) If your job is quite bodily, a doctor's note may be mandatory to exempt pregnant workers to do certain types of work - but the summary of that note could also backfire. To protect your job and your pregnancy, don't ask for the note too early and make sure your doctor knows everything about what is necessary to take note.
Balancing Work And Pregnancy
In Australia, it is illegal to treat workers deceitfully most especially pregnant workers. This consists of termination of employment, being forced to work less hours or being asked to take voluntary leave right before the baby is born.
However, if your doctor's note specifies that you are incapable to perform office tasks that are important to your job, your boss must decide to make some changes. This could comprise giving you different job duties, keeping you out from using workplace equipment, being blacklisted from company travel and even being put on forced no safe job leave.
Could Your Job Be Dangerous?
If that doesn't sound like much fun, an ingeniously worded doctor's note may help your dilemma. Here are some tips:
- Only ask for a doctor's note when you're sure your job needs to be adjusted - not on a "just in case" basis.
- Make sure the note doesn't demand things that are impossible, or that your employer might consider to be unsuited with your job.
- Make sure the note says what you can do as well as what you can't, so your employer recognizes that you can still do the essential roles of your job.
In the meantime, it's a good idea to review on your rights as a pregnant worker. Employers must attend to your pregnancy needs as the same way as other employees' temporary incapacities, and you do have legal safeties, as mentioned above.
