Help on asking for a chair or quitting?

Question

im pregnant and i stand at the cash register from 9-3 or 4. my lower back KILLS and my legs KILL i really cant do this. i want a chair or i need to quit. i am talking to my boss wed. about this. she doenst know im pregnant she just hired me today. how should i tell her, i asked a co worker if i could get a chair and shes like no. but i get dizzy too. what should i say simple to the point to her and let her know if no chair i want to quit.

Answer 1

At you next Dr appointment request that they write a note stating that you will need to be required to have a chair in the event your back hurts or you have a dizzy spell.  Then tell your boss you are pregnant and present her with the note.

Answer 2

You are ignorant for being "scared" to tell her...that's so dumb . if you are so concernd about the baby..you would have told her and got a chair...like weeks ago....but w/e blame others for ur actions

Answer 3

Well I can tell you this you NEED to ask.  I stood for several hours at my baby shower.  The host had me stand behind a table to open gifts.  I was nearly 8 months pregnant.  The next day my ankles started to swell huge.  I got put on bed rest and within a week I delivered my son at 35 weeks.  My mother is convinced it was standing for too long that made me over do it.  Ask nicely and explain that you can get a doctors note if need be.  Say something like this...

"I'm pregnant, I should have told you sooner but we were waiting to share the news with others.  I've found that it is very stressful on my body to stand all day and was hoping I could get a chair so that I don't put stress on my body and the baby.  I'd like to be able to work as long as possible before going on maternity leave."

If you are told no then politely say ok.  And then you need to quit.  Don't throw a fit though because it would be inappropriate.

Answer 4

You have the right to ask for an accommodation for a disability.  If you have a disability and you are able to perform the job requirements with or without a reasonable accommodation, then they cannot fire you under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and they must legally provide you with the accommodation.  There are two issues in your case:  (1) whether your pregnancy is a disability; (2) whether a chair is a reasonable accommodation.  A disability is a condition that affects a major life activity.  Pregnancy in the workplace is already covered as a form of gender discrimination and has its own protections.  I am not sure whether you can characterize your pregnancy as a disability, but I WOULD SURELY GIVE IT A TRY.  

Tell your boss that you are "temporarily disabled" due to your pregnancy and that you need a "reasonable accommodation" in the form of a chair/stool at your cash register in order to continue to perform the job functions.  It's pretty important to use those exact words, because the words are like magic and invoke your protections under the ADA.  Your boss will recognize them.  

I should warn you that Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave is not available for employees who have worked less than one year on the job.  Your boss may anticipate that you will have to resign when you have your baby because you have not earned any leave time.  You should also talk to your boss about your work plans when you have the baby.  You may have some vacation or sick leave accrued by that time or you may be able to take some temporary disability leave.  

Good luck.  I know its hard to work and be pregnant.  I hope everything works out for you.

Answer 5

I suppose you'd want to start off by telling her you're pregnant. Then tell her you'd like to continue working there but would appreciate a chair for when your back starts hurting. I believe you can get a note from your doctor requesting this as well and she cannot deny it then.

If she gives you a big hassle or tells you no then tell her that you can no longer work for her because your health and your baby's health are much more important.

Answer 6

Hello! Just tell them you're pregnant. You'll have to eventually so don't keep putting it off. They have to accomodate you in that instance because it is against several state and federal laws to discriminate against pregnant women. I'm sure they will respond well, most employers do once they know--but if they don't, then you can file a complaint.

Bear in mind, it's up to you to research what your local laws are, so stop killing yourself and potentially causing long term damage to your body and contact the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and your state civil rights commission to find out what rights you have.

Answer 7

Just tell your boss you are pregnant and you can't stand that long.  If he's smart, he'll try and figure something out to make things easier on you.  Most bosses are terrified of lawsuits.