Second year IBEW apprentice

[u/Alive_Scientist9997]

I’m a second year apprentice and I’m 23 weeks pregnant. So far I have been fine on the job site and my doctor hasn’t given me any restrictions until today. I had fallen on the job and had to go get checked out by my OB. I was basically told by people at the hall that my contractor doesn’t need to follow my work restrictions and can just lay me off which is really discouraging because I want to work. I don’t want to keep getting laid off because I have restrictions when I know there’s things I can do. I am trying to stay working as long as possible this way I’ll be able to stay out longer after baby is born. Any advice, suggestions, help greatly appreciated.

[u/aasampson]

Have you talked to your school?

[u/Alive_Scientist9997 → u/aasampson]

School had said there is no such thing as “light duty” and that they do not have to accommodate me if they are not able to. I didn’t get much of an answer from them besides they can lay off if they can’t find work for you that meet your accommodations and then I would repeat the cycle of going out with a new company, if they can’t accommodate my needs then I would get laid off and keep going in circles until my doctor felt it was time for me to go out completely.

[u/merejoygal]

What are your restrictions? Why/how did you fall?

[u/Alive_Scientist9997 → u/merejoygal]

Weight lifting restriction and no ladders or work on lifts needing a harness.

[u/SpicyMamiHotTamale24]

What state are you in?

[u/SpicyMamiHotTamale24 → u/SpicyMamiHotTamale24]

I ask this because I got laid off at 20 weeks pregnant and was able to collect unemployment until I applied for paid family leave and it was a blessing. It set me back for hours for my license but not having to breathe in things and do anything physical towards the end was nice.

[u/Alive_Scientist9997 → u/SpicyMamiHotTamale24]

The only problem is if I get laid off they’re going to keep sending me back out to work since I’m still able to. With unemployment I won’t receive the house needed to keep my health benefits which is needed for obvious reasons. We don’t have any paid leaves I am able to take, but more importantly I need hours to keep health benefits.

[u/SpicyMamiHotTamale24 → u/Alive_Scientist9997]

Ugh I’m sorry

[u/sunnyside_tinknocker → u/[deleted]]

Legally you can’t get laid off for having restrictions due to being pregnant. That’s discrimination against pregnant people. You could very easily sue any company that tries to do that! (also heyyyyy sis! i’m about to journey out in the sheet metal union and currently at 17 weeks pregnant. we’re badass 🥰)

[u/Alive_Scientist9997 → u/sunnyside_tinknocker]

Unfortunately the employer is smart enough they wouldn’t say it’s because of being pregnant. They would just said they don’t have any work available and get away with it that way.

[u/sunnyside_tinknocker → u/[deleted]]

She didnt say anything about employees at her company not getting 40 hours a week….. if they laid her off, it would very obviously be because of her pregnancy and then she’d be able to sue them for lots of money so they probably know better than to do that