Can I get in trouble\fired?

Question

Ok, first off I work with a women who is pregnant. She's 25 weeks and hurt her back and cannot lift or do anything above the shoulders for more than an hour. I told her to set up a machine for me since we were short staffed which was just putting numbers into a screen and doing a few small adjustments... No lifting involved. She was all fine with it the first time(set ups take 10 minutes) and the second time I asked her too and she didn't say anything so I figured she would just do it. No, she calls our supervisor and next thing I know I'm sitting down with HR and the supervisor explain what happened.

Ughh I'm so upset. I asked her to SET UP a machine twice which is simple as entering numbers and takes a maximum of 10 minutes. NO LIFTING INVOLVED.

The least she could of done is say no, and not just call the supervisor down. Now I think I'm in trouble cause she's saying I MADE her do this and that and lift. Blah blah blah.

I am her team lead.

Answer

She was ok doing it the first time but not the second time? Hmmmm. Sounds as if she may be a bit lazy.

Answer

You're not a mind reader. If something about it was causing her pain or not something she could do I don't see why she couldn't have just said so. I don't see how you'd get in trouble unless you knew of a limitation and told her to do something she couldn't. That said, it never hurts to confirm that someone is ok doing what you've asked rather than just assuming they'll do it when they're silent. Silence is often a tip off that there might be a problem.  From a leadership perspective, that's an opportunity to address it on the spot and nip it in the bud before it escalates.

Answer

Just explain to whoever is above you, I'm sure they'd understand

Can I get in trouble\fired?

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