Pregnant woman fuming after boss makes 'picky' rule about eating in the office

22 February 2023 , 15:41

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She can only keep down dry crackers (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/Blend Images)

A woman is fuming with her boss after being told her she was not able to eat at her desk - despite being heavily pregnant and needing to eat to avoid being sick.

The boss occasionally has "one of her days" where she is very picky and will dream up new rules for her employees to follow.

After finding a banana skin had been in a bin overnight, the boss said eating at desks would no longer be allowed as this made her feel sick.

But the woman has told her she needs to eat certain foods throughout the day to stop her physically throwing up.

Her boss still refuses to let her eat (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The woman, who remained anonymous, explained in a Mumsnet post: "Our manager is well known for having what we call "one of her days" where she gets picky with us.

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"I'm 26 weeks pregnant and already working reduced hours as I've suffered hyperemesis since six weeks."

Hyperemesis gravidarum HG is an extreme sickness condition which can severely affect pregnant women and cause them to suffer very bad nausea and vomiting.

It can also be very difficult to keep food down and even require hospital treatment - as Kate Middleton received while pregnant. More information about the condition can be found here.

The woman told her boss she was needing to eat dry crackers throughout the day as that is the only food that works and does not lead to vomiting.

"I've explained to her in private that if I don't pick/nibble at dry crackers at my desk I will be sick. It's the only thing that stops it. I'm still not allowed to eat," she explained.

The boss refused and now wants her original MATB1 form which is provided to pregnant women to allow them to claim Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance and proves certain details about the pregnancy.

However, she is concerned as her midwife has told her she cannot lose the original as she cannot be given another form.

In response, many have sympathised with the woman and said her boss is being very unreasonable.

One person wrote: "She's unreasonable isn't she. Her feeling grossed out at the sight of a banana skin trumps you actually vomiting if you don't eat said banana."

While another stated: "I can't imagine having to work whilst having HG. It's amazing that you're even there at all."

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