I've firmly put my foot down on any ideas that the pregnant women in my team have about travelling. It's got nothing to do with productivity, effectiveness or efficiency. When we travel, there're so many risks we face, the known and the unknown, not to mention the situations that could just crop up suddenly which will need mitigation. That is a gamble we normally take. While it can be a truckload of laughter and fun, it's often stressful and harried. But where pregnancy is concerned, that is a risk I'm neither willing to take nor bet on the mom-to-be's utmost pink of health.
Well, currently we've alot of pregnant ladies in the team. 2 said they're perfectly fine to travel. I gave them this death-stare and pulled rank. "No way. Fight me to get clearance." By that, I mean I want a full breakdown of their recent medical report released by their ObGyn and explicit medical clearance for flying which must include the consequences of stress-related travel, and finally, written approval from our biggest boss. I don't think they will over-ride my decision on that. They're too tired, green and puky to argue with me. Hahahah.
It's just an issue that I believe in very strongly. I don't care if they think it's okay to do so- sure they can sort out their babymoons and if they have the time, throw in 2 more personal vacations. But I do not want them to do a single work trip. Why risk increasing the chance of a miscarriage that perhaps could have been avoided and in our portfolio of countries, should an emergency arise, there is danger in the lack of sufficient medical facilities.
We're running on a very tight schedule and lean resources for the next 4 months. If it means I've to do all the travelling, so be it. Not a big deal. I like that. I thrive on it. Except it isn't exactly 'strategic' for me to travel when serving out the notice period. (These trips are seen as opportunities and should be given to others in the department.) I'd rather shift and spread around resources and ask for help than to even consider having these pregnant women on the team to travel. That is not an option at all.
Nobody has said it, but if my direct bosses thinks it's okay to send pregnant women on work trips, I will remind them that it's on their heads if anything should happen, and make them grant an approval in black and white, with full admission that they're aware of the pregnancy and still authorizing the trip. Putting things in writing, can be, well, off-putting, for alot of people. There're certain things which are beyond our control. For those that are within mine, I'll push for it. If I truly believe in it, I'll splash the brain cells around, perhaps still dis-regard the consequences, and go ahead to do what I believe should be done.
I'm not supportive of pregnant women travelling on work trips. No no no. You girls can put that thought firmly out of your minds. So sue me for discrimination on these reasons, or for simply being dramatic.
6 comments:
am really interested what you do in the govt...
it's true preggie woman shouldn't be travelling lah, especially in the first trimester. and even slightly after. the girls here almost always have threatened abortion/bleeding for walking even.
Good for you for fighting for them. They are just young, gung ho and ignorant like me many moons ago. Did my fair share of night shifts because I felt that I have to pull equal weight as a team member but it sure scared the sh*t out of me when I saw blood in the toilet bowl. Went off calls but continued to work long hours till at 34 weeks, my gynae put his foot down and put me on MC till delivery as the kiddos were not growing. At the end, my big one spend 1 week in special care unit and the little one, 1 week in ICU and another 3 weeks in special care unit before coming home as he was just so small. Go on, you can share my story with your pregnant colleagues.
I wished I had a boss like you lor! I was FORCED to travel for two roadshows. You know, the long-hours-stand-on-your-feet-exhibition kind of roadshows. Evil boss by the name of Willy! Course, I didn't think much of it then... but now, reading this, I wish I had a boss like you lor!!
hey i support your decision! Such a nice boss you are! If anything were to happen to the babies, I am sure the mummies are going to regret their decision to travel.
zewt: i is not govt! talk more over dinner sooN!
tuti: only not for work. for personal vacations okay. most of my friends continued their diving (light), running, pilates and all throughout their pregnancies with no major issues besides puking. it depends on the constitution, strength and health of the women.
supercoati: OH. I wiill tell them that. Goodness! why were you so 'committed' to the job! Glad the babies (okay boys now) have turned out fine!
jo: not just the flying. also the normal work processes. some can be done, some shouldn't be. work in the office goes on per se. but for some, they shouldn't be asked to do. there was an event at work a couple of years back where they rostered a pregnant colleague to a shift where it requires 4 hours of standing with no chairs or seating provided. even i couldn't take it, what more her. even though she turned pale and tired, but she didn't want to fight. so as angry as i was, i couldn't say anything. the organizing female colleague (mom of 4) was of the view that so what if pregnant, just do normal work lor. stand for 4 hours, no problem.
blobber78: hahah. they travel for vacations for sure. that's fine by me. nothing to do with being nice actually, i just don't want to deal the responsibility on my watch.
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