I am working in a software company from past 1year 7months. Currently I am a 16 weeks (4 months) pregnant. I have afternoon shift and work from home option even before I am pregnant. My manger got changed the new manger who took over team even after knowing I am a pregnant want me to come to office that too in night shift.
I brought this to the notice of HR and even Sr management but they nodded their head that they can’t help me on this. They says there is no other opportunity also where they can fit me in and suggested to look out for other opportunity. I worked for an organization for such a long time and the time I need help they say they have no option. Companies helps and provide options for working woman but here they are taking back the existing option also after I brought to their notice that I am pregnant.
I am really dishearten and don’t know how can I proceed. I can defiantly look out for job outside but which company will hire a pregnant lady who wants to go on maternity leave in next 4-5 months. I am in a condition where its important for me to continue in job to avail medical benefits and maternity leave.
Can someone plz suggest how can I fight with this? Is there any Act or Govt rules that can help me in this.
Thanks in advanve.
From India, Bangalore
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I brought this to the notice of HR and even Sr management but they nodded their head that they can’t help me on this. They says there is no other opportunity also where they can fit me in and suggested to look out for other opportunity. I worked for an organization for such a long time and the time I need help they say they have no option. Companies helps and provide options for working woman but here they are taking back the existing option also after I brought to their notice that I am pregnant.
I am really dishearten and don’t know how can I proceed. I can defiantly look out for job outside but which company will hire a pregnant lady who wants to go on maternity leave in next 4-5 months. I am in a condition where its important for me to continue in job to avail medical benefits and maternity leave.
Can someone plz suggest how can I fight with this? Is there any Act or Govt rules that can help me in this.
Thanks in advanve.
From India, Bangalore
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NAMRATHA You can make written correspondence with them & do the request regarding insubstantial work with sunlight hours & deliver this letter Govt authority for information object
From India, Daund
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1From India, Daund
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Dear Namratha,
This is a very dicey situation. You have mentioned that you have talked to your senior management team. If they feel helpless, then fighting over this will not yield anything.
What I suspect is that the management, including your new manager, feels that since you are expecting and will be taking leave for at least 3 months or more, the time period can lead to stagnation of earnings for the company. This may be a liability. The company is thinking about cost-cutting. That may be the reason they asked you to look for other opportunities.
What I can suggest to you is if you have an appointment letter with terms (like working from home) clearly written, you can talk to the manager, sit with him/her, and try to reason your position.
In case you don't have the appointment letter, you may still wish to sit with the new manager and explain your discomfort. Alternatively, you may suggest going to the office twice or thrice a week (but only in the daytime) if the manager doesn't agree at all.
I can think of this suggestion at the moment. Let's see if others have different points also.
But, please do take care of yourself and take no tensions, please.
All the best,
Anuradha
MINDSHARE HR Consultancy Private Limited
From India, Delhi
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This is a very dicey situation. You have mentioned that you have talked to your senior management team. If they feel helpless, then fighting over this will not yield anything.
What I suspect is that the management, including your new manager, feels that since you are expecting and will be taking leave for at least 3 months or more, the time period can lead to stagnation of earnings for the company. This may be a liability. The company is thinking about cost-cutting. That may be the reason they asked you to look for other opportunities.
What I can suggest to you is if you have an appointment letter with terms (like working from home) clearly written, you can talk to the manager, sit with him/her, and try to reason your position.
In case you don't have the appointment letter, you may still wish to sit with the new manager and explain your discomfort. Alternatively, you may suggest going to the office twice or thrice a week (but only in the daytime) if the manager doesn't agree at all.
I can think of this suggestion at the moment. Let's see if others have different points also.
But, please do take care of yourself and take no tensions, please.
All the best,
Anuradha
MINDSHARE HR Consultancy Private Limited
From India, Delhi
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Hi Anuradha,
What you told is 100% right. Infact in one of the conversations I had they mentioned even if they put me in diff team I will work 3-4 months and go on leave and it’s a loss for the company. I felt so bad to listen to that, what if all the companies think and treat their woman employs like this? is this means working woman should not become pregnant? Why don’t they hire only male candidates or ladies above 40 years. To come out from job, I was never a person who sat at home I can’t imagine myself sitting at home doing nothing for such long time. That is more frustration. I have also seen couple more lady employs (who are in little Sr level) who got day shift (who was in night shift) option after they conceived. Feeling very sad looking at the injustice happening with me in the same company.
And about discussing with the manager since that didn’t work out, I brought this to the notice of management. I told not once or twice I can come every day to office but not in night shift. He was not ok with that too. There is no use to sit and talk to him. If he was a person who can understand the problem he could have understood last time itself when I explained. He know well neither I can leave the job with the commitments I have not I can come in night shift. With that hold he is playing.
Unfortunately shift timings is not mentioned in my offer letter. I really do not want to give up so easily want to fight for it with some strong point. But don’t know how to start :-(
From India, Bangalore
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What you told is 100% right. Infact in one of the conversations I had they mentioned even if they put me in diff team I will work 3-4 months and go on leave and it’s a loss for the company. I felt so bad to listen to that, what if all the companies think and treat their woman employs like this? is this means working woman should not become pregnant? Why don’t they hire only male candidates or ladies above 40 years. To come out from job, I was never a person who sat at home I can’t imagine myself sitting at home doing nothing for such long time. That is more frustration. I have also seen couple more lady employs (who are in little Sr level) who got day shift (who was in night shift) option after they conceived. Feeling very sad looking at the injustice happening with me in the same company.
And about discussing with the manager since that didn’t work out, I brought this to the notice of management. I told not once or twice I can come every day to office but not in night shift. He was not ok with that too. There is no use to sit and talk to him. If he was a person who can understand the problem he could have understood last time itself when I explained. He know well neither I can leave the job with the commitments I have not I can come in night shift. With that hold he is playing.
Unfortunately shift timings is not mentioned in my offer letter. I really do not want to give up so easily want to fight for it with some strong point. But don’t know how to start :-(
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Namratha,
Labour Law states that no employer can terminate a female employee due to pregnancy, and they also cannot terminate her during her pregnancy leave if she is a regular employee on their payroll. I suggest you discuss this with your employer, referencing the Labour Law. This information should be helpful to you.
Anju
From India, Gurgaon
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Labour Law states that no employer can terminate a female employee due to pregnancy, and they also cannot terminate her during her pregnancy leave if she is a regular employee on their payroll. I suggest you discuss this with your employer, referencing the Labour Law. This information should be helpful to you.
Anju
From India, Gurgaon
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Hi Anju,
I have decided not to resign due to the pressure they are building, and I am also considering what to do if they want to terminate, as they will have that right (which is a part of the Terms and Conditions in the offer letter that we agreed upon). It would be very helpful for me if you could provide some more information on this (I will also try to find out). Once again, thank you for the information.
Nam
From India, Bangalore
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I have decided not to resign due to the pressure they are building, and I am also considering what to do if they want to terminate, as they will have that right (which is a part of the Terms and Conditions in the offer letter that we agreed upon). It would be very helpful for me if you could provide some more information on this (I will also try to find out). Once again, thank you for the information.
Nam
From India, Bangalore
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Hi,
First of all, be bold and cool. Please do not get into unnecessary stress and strain, because this may not be good for your baby. Even though we have very strong legislation, execution lies with people and effectiveness may vary based on the individuals in such roles.
As you are working in a private firm, if the company culture perceives a 'pregnant lady' as a liability, it is an attitude problem of management or the visionaries behind the firm. Now, the question is why should you stick to such a company and put in your effort? Most companies in India respect motherhood and provide all possible assistance to continue work during pregnancy.
I suggest not getting into a legal battle with the company. Try searching for another job where you can work during the daytime as well as from home. Post your profile on career sites with this specific requirement. I believe you will receive many calls.
May God bless you, wishing you the very best!
From India, Bangalore
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First of all, be bold and cool. Please do not get into unnecessary stress and strain, because this may not be good for your baby. Even though we have very strong legislation, execution lies with people and effectiveness may vary based on the individuals in such roles.
As you are working in a private firm, if the company culture perceives a 'pregnant lady' as a liability, it is an attitude problem of management or the visionaries behind the firm. Now, the question is why should you stick to such a company and put in your effort? Most companies in India respect motherhood and provide all possible assistance to continue work during pregnancy.
I suggest not getting into a legal battle with the company. Try searching for another job where you can work during the daytime as well as from home. Post your profile on career sites with this specific requirement. I believe you will receive many calls.
May God bless you, wishing you the very best!
From India, Bangalore
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Hi XYZ (consultme),
Thank you for such a sweet email. Yes I can defiantly find a job as you have mentioned but my concern is which company will knowingly hire a pregnant. When it comes to fight legally, I am not doing it (legally not filing complint and all) but I am fighting for my rights which I deserve for being associated for that company for such a long time. They are taking advantage of my physical condition. It’s not there is no option but they are not ready to give any other option because they know as I can’t do nightshift I will move out. Today me tomorrow someone else.
In this busy life a working a woman may get a chance to enjoy her motherhood once in her life time (may be max twice) it is wrong for me to expect my medical benefit for which I am paying for, my maternity leave which is my right to get from my employer and a small cooperation from management?
From India, Bangalore
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Thank you for such a sweet email. Yes I can defiantly find a job as you have mentioned but my concern is which company will knowingly hire a pregnant. When it comes to fight legally, I am not doing it (legally not filing complint and all) but I am fighting for my rights which I deserve for being associated for that company for such a long time. They are taking advantage of my physical condition. It’s not there is no option but they are not ready to give any other option because they know as I can’t do nightshift I will move out. Today me tomorrow someone else.
In this busy life a working a woman may get a chance to enjoy her motherhood once in her life time (may be max twice) it is wrong for me to expect my medical benefit for which I am paying for, my maternity leave which is my right to get from my employer and a small cooperation from management?
From India, Bangalore
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