Hello!

I am a first time mother and I am only 10 weeks pregnant, I developed severe morning sickness from 6 weeks on. Due to this I took my annual leave early I dropped back hours at my place of employment to casual, since then I have constantly felt on the outer at work. I work within a young team and I am the first to get pregnant. So there isn’t the understanding and I feel as if I’m being bullied. I’ve been admitted to the hospital 3 times for my vomiting and was put on IV fluids and iron infusions, and then there is just the general fatigue associated with pregnancy. If I have to call in sick for a shift, I’m made to feel as if I’m lazy and unreliable regardless of my employment history with the company. And when I do call in sick they immediately scrap my shifts for the rest of that week. What should I do?


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  • Sorry to hear You experienced struggles at your work place. It has been a while ago, but I hope you found understanding in the end. I do agree that as casual you’re less part of the team and I think that’s hard to avoid.


  • That doesn’t sound good. They shouldn’t be scrapping all your shifts for the week if you call in sick for one day, that’s not right. Have you got a union rep that you could talk to? They would know, or be able to find out, if this is right or wrong. I know they’ve helped me out heaps in the past


  • I hope you are in a better place now,it’s not worth staying in a job that makes your life sad!


  • This question was posted a while ago, so I hope all has worked out for you.


  • Maybe speak to your boss? It’s hard for a workplace when someone can’t do their shifts, it’s not your fault but the workplace still has to function. You may be reading too much into it


  • Confront whoever is responsible for this and ask why. Explain your side, let them explain theirs, go from there


  • Sadly as they are not in your position; they do not understand it. Morning sickness is an experience like no other! I am sure many other Mom’s can empathise with you; I do! x Hope your situation has improved. Good Luck! :)


  • yeah still waiting from part 2 lol


  • I think that is extremely rude and unfair. I would talk to my manager or call the fair work ombudsman


  • Your post is bringing back the memories. With my first child I had hyperemesis (acute recurrent morning sickness) too with regular admissions to hospital to replace lost fluids. It can be damaging if not managed. My employer did not understand the severity of my situation, e.g. vomiting up to 20 times a day. I had to take 2.5 months off work from 6 weeks, so unfortunately I was unable to hide the pregnancy. Once I returned and supplied medical certificates, I had a chat with the boss in her office about how much i still wished to work to the end and would love to return to work after baby was born, I had found more acceptance. Let’s face it, unless you have experienced hyperemesis you just don’t understand how taxing it is on your body. I continued to have hyperemesis right through my pregnancy, although the frequency did slow down towards the end. Please ensure you see your GP regularly, there are things you can do to help, whether you choose medicinal or natural remedies such as acupuncture, or eating ginger. Congratulations and look after yourself.


  • First of all hope the morning sickness passes for you, take care of yourself first and foremost. As for the company, they sound like they don’t really care or value their employees. Are you with a union? I would recommend you talk to them.


  • They clearly have no idea how debilitating morning sickness is!! I suffered as well but didn’t tell work till 12 weeks- I got pulled aside a few times asking why I’m acting so weird- I’m sure ppl thought I was constantly hung over but once I told them everyone was super supportive, hope things start improving for u!!


  • This doesn’t sound like a positive healthy environment to be in, and being only 10weeks pregnant you are I a risky stage of pregnancy.. Maybe ask a union rep or an independent person to attend a meeting with you and your boss, as this is not healthy for you or the baby


  • I do think you should talk to your union. Because you’re casual you probably have fewer rights, but you do have them.


  • If you have a workers union I would be going to them and complaining, they would have no idea what you are going through and scraping your shifts because you’ve had to call in sick is wrong!


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