Work. I could cry. (BT ref)

Oh no!

Maybe you can find a little neiche-time when traffic is less and the journey will be better?

Maybe stock up on audio books to whittle the time away too.

I can be no help whatsoever but please don't cry. You poor thing. Big hugs.

OB do they know you're pregnant?

Could you stay up there a couple of nights during the week? Maybe work longer days for say three days but stay up there in between?

Do they know you are pregnant?

Can they put you up locally so that you've got somewhere to go back and rest mid afternoon if you need to? Plus would avoid driving back and forth every day.

If the answer to the first question is no then I think maybe you need to tell someone (hr?) They need to carry out a risk assessment. Pitch it so that its not that you won't do the work in liverpool because if it's part of your role you may have to, but pitch it that you just want to find a workable solution based on a risk assessment since you are pregnant. Work know your history from previous pregnancy don't they therefore that would factor into the risk assessment.

Note from doc if all else fails?

Yes they know I'm pregnant, they've known for a couple of weeks.

The trouble is, I've had an easy ride for quite a few weeks now, on the understanding that I may have to put myself out at some point. Which is fine when I don't feel so shite. She just said that if its too much I'll have to let her know and see what can be done, but I know if I refuse to just do what they want I'll be in trouble because I agreed to be flexible with them (obviously I wasn't pregnant at this point), which is why I've kept my job when things have been so quiet.

I've checked about the risk assessments online, it's perfectly reasonable according to that. I'd only have a leg to stand on there if I was much further along and driving was causing some kind of medical complaint. Tiredness doesn't count.

They would probably let me stay over once or twice a week, but to be honest, with my mental state that would be even worse than doing all the driving. I wouldn't cope in a hotel room on my own, not at all. I realise how pathetic that sounds but that's how I am now.

It's not ideal lovely, could you ask them if it would be possible to do 3 days a week, 5 does seem excessive, with the commute. There has to be a compromise. I think you need to sit down with them and tell them how you feel.

They said once the backlog is cleared it will drop to 2-3 days a week, but they estimate it will be a few months before I'm at that point, depending on how efficient I am. I'll be starting from absolute scratch so the first few week will be learning their systems I think.

I can totally understand why you're so upset about it. I would be too. I don't think I can offer any practical advice about how to deal with it, by the sounds of things you're going to have to just do it. If you are doing it for a week or so and you're struggling then you'll have to tell them, tiredness is incredibly dangerous when driving and it's not worth taking any I unnecessary risks.

Yes you can! (Not meaning to be miserable here but I am, sure that if your job is no longer needed it is not protected just because the current postholder is pregnant.) What you can't do is make someone redundant BECAUSE they are pregnant.

Willing to be corrected by HR experts.

Ok how about 3 12 hour days, say monday Wednesday and Friday so you've got days to recover in between? Thats the same number of hours as doind 10 til 4 5 days per week

Yes AC you can if the post is no longer needed, which is why I know I'll have to suck it up.

I'm very depressed about it though.

My normal boss has told me to take this week to prepare, do a trial run and just chill out. I think he feels sorry for me!

Oh OB no practical advice, that just sucks.

I really hope it's maybe not as bad as it sounds and you start to feel a bit better soon too. Take it easy though.

If they already know you are pregnant and have done risk assessments then this would be my suggestion too. If you find you are struggling, at the end of week 1 flag it up/get docs to sign off etc. At least don't give them the chance to say you didn't try..

Ew that is a horrid commute even without morning sickeness/pregnancy tiredness etc.

Is there anyone en route you can stay with to shorten the commute so you're not in hotel rooms alone? Just for the first month or so to see how it goes?

This is a pants situation, lovely

No real advice apart from all you can do is try it x

What Kharv said... you won't know until you try. My colleague really suffered with tiredness for the first couple of months and then she was ok, hopefully you will be the same.

And yes AC you are correct... pregnancy or maternity leave doesn't stop you being made redundant.

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely hoping to start feeling more normal in the next few weeks, so hopefully that will help.

Just rubbish timing really!

Are they aware that Tiredness is very dangerous when driving? I'd say if you're excessively tired from driving, then they will need to look at it. being overtired and at the wheel of a car is just as dangerous as being over the drink drive limit!

Has a new workplace risk assessment been done now you are prego?

OB that is tough. Am I right in remembering you don't like using trains? It just the services to Liverpool are pretty good.. you are welcome to stay with me in Crewe if ever you need too!

No risk assessment has been done to my knowledge, unless they've done it and not told me.

Kjay, that's a lovely offer, thank you! Unfortunately the trains from my town to aintree is about 3 hours!!

Oh no! You must be a bit of a trek from the main line! I mean it love if you are ever stuck just give me a shout, that motorway is horrible.

I think it's either 3 or 4 trains. My H looked so I'm not sure on which stations it is.

Thanks, I'm hoping with it being school hols it will be a bit better than normal (crossed fingers!!)

Hse specifies that a workplace has a duty t conduct a risk assessment for expectant mothers.

cant copy the link but do a quick google of it lovely.

Not an ideal solution but could you stay overnight for one or two nights limiting the amount of journeys? Just for a bit.

They should have done a person specific risk assessment on you the day you told them you were pregnant, and it should be reviewed at least monthly, more if you are having problems. It seems pretty unreasonable to me to expect someone suffering from excessive tiredness due to pregnancy to travel 90 miles per day 5 days per week. each pregnancy is different and that is why the risk assessment is specific to you, if you don't feel up to driving that far at this point they shouldn't make you. your doctor may sign you off if you ask them.

Thanks everyone.

3D, it’s 90 miles each way!

I’d prefer not to stay over but if things get too bad I may have to.

I don’t feel in a position to start playing hardball. It’s a miracle they’ve kept me on during the quiet period and now they need me to work hard, if I wasn’t pregnant it would be a fair deal. It’s just bad timing.