I've never felt like a number in any job I have ever held. I am working on completing my fourth year at my "first job" out of college I am a social worker for a non-profit home health care agency and I also wear another hat as a Independent Living Coordinator, helping transition youth with disabilities (all within the same agency). I know statistics have shown most people change jobs on average 7-9 times in their lifetime...but honestly I didn't think I'd be one of those.
Overall in the past four years my employer has been pretty good to me. They have done some things I don't completely agree with, but I realize no employer is going to please everyone and everything. I have accepted changes, took on additional tasks and have been flexible.
Back in 2010 I declined taking a manager role with my return to work after my maternity leave with Harrison. Instead without the acceptance of a manager position I agreed to reducing my hours from 40 to 32 hours a week to adjust my case load for not accepting the position. I later have learned according to FMLA the agency was at wrong for not offering my current FULL time position back I held prior to Harrison's birth. However, I have been blessed to spend my Fridays with Harrison. I haven't ever regretted the decision.
Since then I took on another hat in 2011 working on our Independent Living side of our agency, which was pay cut in comparison to my current position, but taking on the hours with Independent Living would allow me room to grow within the Independent Living if my hours needed to be reduced in home health care. I signed an agreement letter and orientated, trained and began independent working as a Transition Coordinator.
2 weeks ago today my boss called me to propose that I could "take time off to prepare for my pregnancy." Since the 11 week scare, things have gone well with the pregnancy so this proposal came as a total shock. I have missed only one day of work this entire pregnancy thus far ...She stated, "you know just in case you would need to go on bed rest." I assured her things were going well and I did not want to take time off to prepare for my pregnancy and right now it's not looking as though I will need to go on bed rest. I inquired about what else I could do to keep my hours, one suggestion I had is to see consumers out of main office (which is 45 minutes from my current branch office) as I had done in past prior to taking on my newest role in the agency. My bosses response, " you wouldn't want to be traveling that much in your current condition."
Call it what you want...I call it pregnancy discrimination. I believe I am the easy way out. I am saddened after my years and dedication to the agency that I am nothing more than a number. I have spent a lot of days being angry, many days being sad and equal as many days feeling numb.
When I finally got the anger/sadness out I sat down and wrote my boss a letter (it's easier for me to collect my thoughts on paper). Her response was complete astonishment that I was bringing my pregnancy into this. Up until now, I hadn't brought my pregnancy into work or our conversations regarding the reduction in hours, even when she made the comments she did. I listened, but couldn't find the words to respond. I am usually very out spoken, but I was stopped in my tracks. I didn't have a reason to say anything, my pregnancy has nothing to do with my job/employment with this agency. I do my job, I do a good job...end. of. story.
For the next 8 weeks I am using up 8 hours of PTO each to cover the cut in hours. After the 8 weeks additional hours maybe offered back to me, but this is no guarantee and working for a non-profit, past history has shown me it's not likely I gain my full time employment back. With the current cut, I do no qualify for unemployment. With only working 24 hours a pay period, this won't cover the costs of daycare for two children and bills.
I do believe my boss was sincere in saying, "I want things to go better for you this time around" (meaning she hoping we don't go through another premature birth). She's not a cold hearted person. However, she did not act on this situation appropriately.
There is a lot of stress to go along with this mess...especially with having a total of less than a week to prepare for financial changes. This is even more stressful knowing I don't have job security. Even if I make it through this hurdle and gain my full time employment back...How long will that be for? The reason Doug and I waited nearly 5 years to have children is to secure a job, pay off some loans and get a head. No matter how you plan life, it never goes how it's planned or it wouldn't be called LIFE after all.
We are hoping, praying for the best in this situation. My boss said, "I always look at situations like this and having a reason for them." "I'll be positive for you."
Today I will put up a front (put on a smile), and do my job just as well as I always have.
I am a good person, I do good things...even bad things happen to good people.
Overall in the past four years my employer has been pretty good to me. They have done some things I don't completely agree with, but I realize no employer is going to please everyone and everything. I have accepted changes, took on additional tasks and have been flexible.
Back in 2010 I declined taking a manager role with my return to work after my maternity leave with Harrison. Instead without the acceptance of a manager position I agreed to reducing my hours from 40 to 32 hours a week to adjust my case load for not accepting the position. I later have learned according to FMLA the agency was at wrong for not offering my current FULL time position back I held prior to Harrison's birth. However, I have been blessed to spend my Fridays with Harrison. I haven't ever regretted the decision.
Since then I took on another hat in 2011 working on our Independent Living side of our agency, which was pay cut in comparison to my current position, but taking on the hours with Independent Living would allow me room to grow within the Independent Living if my hours needed to be reduced in home health care. I signed an agreement letter and orientated, trained and began independent working as a Transition Coordinator.
2 weeks ago today my boss called me to propose that I could "take time off to prepare for my pregnancy." Since the 11 week scare, things have gone well with the pregnancy so this proposal came as a total shock. I have missed only one day of work this entire pregnancy thus far ...She stated, "you know just in case you would need to go on bed rest." I assured her things were going well and I did not want to take time off to prepare for my pregnancy and right now it's not looking as though I will need to go on bed rest. I inquired about what else I could do to keep my hours, one suggestion I had is to see consumers out of main office (which is 45 minutes from my current branch office) as I had done in past prior to taking on my newest role in the agency. My bosses response, " you wouldn't want to be traveling that much in your current condition."
Call it what you want...I call it pregnancy discrimination. I believe I am the easy way out. I am saddened after my years and dedication to the agency that I am nothing more than a number. I have spent a lot of days being angry, many days being sad and equal as many days feeling numb.
When I finally got the anger/sadness out I sat down and wrote my boss a letter (it's easier for me to collect my thoughts on paper). Her response was complete astonishment that I was bringing my pregnancy into this. Up until now, I hadn't brought my pregnancy into work or our conversations regarding the reduction in hours, even when she made the comments she did. I listened, but couldn't find the words to respond. I am usually very out spoken, but I was stopped in my tracks. I didn't have a reason to say anything, my pregnancy has nothing to do with my job/employment with this agency. I do my job, I do a good job...end. of. story.
For the next 8 weeks I am using up 8 hours of PTO each to cover the cut in hours. After the 8 weeks additional hours maybe offered back to me, but this is no guarantee and working for a non-profit, past history has shown me it's not likely I gain my full time employment back. With the current cut, I do no qualify for unemployment. With only working 24 hours a pay period, this won't cover the costs of daycare for two children and bills.
I do believe my boss was sincere in saying, "I want things to go better for you this time around" (meaning she hoping we don't go through another premature birth). She's not a cold hearted person. However, she did not act on this situation appropriately.
There is a lot of stress to go along with this mess...especially with having a total of less than a week to prepare for financial changes. This is even more stressful knowing I don't have job security. Even if I make it through this hurdle and gain my full time employment back...How long will that be for? The reason Doug and I waited nearly 5 years to have children is to secure a job, pay off some loans and get a head. No matter how you plan life, it never goes how it's planned or it wouldn't be called LIFE after all.
We are hoping, praying for the best in this situation. My boss said, "I always look at situations like this and having a reason for them." "I'll be positive for you."
Today I will put up a front (put on a smile), and do my job just as well as I always have.
I am a good person, I do good things...even bad things happen to good people.
Amanda-I'm so sorry to hear this. You are one of the hardest working people I know. I have always looked up to you and admired your hardworking and positive attitude. I swear you have 36 hours in a day! :) What you're experiencing is most definitely discrimination and is probably illegal. You should go to HR immediatley to discuss you options. If you're looking for a new position, I can hook you up with our family friend who is the head of HR and hiring for the school district. You met her at my baby shower. Remember, God gave you this hurdle for a reason-because you can handle it. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
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