Do I have a right to be upset?

Question

So I work as an advisor for an educational institution. My last day of work I will be 36 weeks pregnant.
My supervisor today asked me if I would be traveling to our sister office in another city for a yearly retreat when I will be 35 weeks pregnant. I said, no I will not. She goes, “okay, then can you go work a booth at a career fair that day?” 
Seriously! You want my 35 week pregnant ass to drag all of our promotional stuff to a career fair and stand on my feet all day at a booth???
I’m so upset. Like smoke is literally coming out of my ears. Okay, not literally. But you get the idea. Am I justified in being upset?
I already struggle with pelvic girdle pain so walking is a struggle and I’m only at 32w+4d today.  I just want some consideration for the fact that I’m about to pop. But nope.

Answer

I wish there was an option for " eh i see it from both sides" like how far away is the other town? Hours away? Understandable. 30-45 mins away, not so understandable.  For the booth is there no way you could have a chair and sit when needed ? Could no one from the office come with you and help get things set up? I can see how you're frustrated,  but I dont thinknwhat was being asked of you was completely unreasonable.

Answer

Eh, just part of choosing to work while pregnant. You can't really complain about having to do regular work things just because being pregnant makes you tired and makes your hips hurt. I get that it sucks. I have been working through awful SPD too. If it was something that is dangerous to baby's or your health, that's another matter. But working a PR event really isn't that bad compared to many of the jobs other pregnant women do daily as well. You could bring a stool to sot on of it helps. And if there are heavy things to lift, it is reasonable to request someone to assist you in any heavy lifting.

Answer

I get being upset bc you’re tired and pregnant and everything does not feel the greatest always buuut honestly if you’re having a seemly “normal” pregnancy I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t do either things she’s asked. I get that everyone tolerates things differently but I am on #4 and have worked in an industrial environment until days before delivery. Being super active on my feet most days, operating heavy machinery. I happen to be a SAHM this time around but have my three plus my 7m niece full time. 
Not trying to compare myself but I don’t see it as a disability unless you’re high risk or having issues..... just my opinion. 
Maybe your boss doesn’t have anyone else she sees fit to cover the things she’s asked about? Maybe she values you as an employee enough to continue to ask you to do these tasks. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Answer

Personally no I wouldn’t be upset. I don’t see pregnancy as a disability or needing special treatment. For the fair request to be able to use a chair and bring lots of water, but to use pregnancy to get out of work is not something that would sit well with any boss. I know people handle pregnancy differently and maybe I’m jaded because I work in 95-100 weather 5 days a week and are on my feet 90% of the time and will continue to do so until my due date 🤷🏼‍♀️

Answer

I wouldn’t be super upset.  If you have restrictions or feel it is too much on your body then say so.  Perhaps a compromise can be reached.  Someone can carry the materials? A chair can be provided?  If no accommodations can be made then they may realize that you are not suited to go.

Answer

I guess my first question is are a low risk healthy pregnancy? If you are it's not unreasonable for your boss to ask you about either. My second question is have you spoken to your boss about the discomfort you're already? If you haven't then you shouldn't assume that they you know about it or that it would be such an issue to ask you to do something, they aren't mind readers. Even if you mention it just in passing, it's a little self involved to assume that they would remember if it wasn't a direct conversation specifically about your condition. If you have a million things running through your mind, imagine how they must be considering they have more aspects of work related issues to deal with than you do. It can be easy to get accustomed to the consideration given to pregnant women sometimes but if your healthy you're still capable of doing a lot, even if it's ths last thing you feel like doing.

Answer

Idk I get it from both point of views. I get your in pain and it sucks and your ready to just be done but at the same time you chose to work till 36 weeks pregnant and that being said you are still obligated to what your boss asks of you. If your pregnancy is normal then I don’t see why not. I can’t even roll over without pain and I’m still working and I’ll till my due date or if baby decided to come sooner. I can totally understand your frustration of just wanting people to realize your about to pop and things are harder for you as you get closer but I say just do it at the time you’ll be only a week away from being done with work.

Answer

Every pregnancy is different so no one knows your limitations but you. However, if you need special accommodations you need to go through the HR department in order to request it. If not, you are still expected to do the duties required for your position. If you feel you’re not in condition to work any longer then you’d have to start your maternity leave. I know it sucks, I’ve been dealing with having to do a lot of physically demanding tasks at my job throughout my pregnancy, but nothing was ever done about it until I went through the proper channels to ask for help. I hope this helps you ❤️

Answer

If it were me I personally wouldn’t be able to stand that long🤷‍♀️ I’d say sorry but no can do. Seriously if I stand in a check out line to long I get dizzy or light headed.

Do I have a right to be upset?

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