https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:13:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-865024 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:30:13 +0000 ShootingStar 865024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How is it legal to not get any breaks?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-865013 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:25:00 +0000 .twist. 865013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh! That is totally brutal. I agree with asking for a Doc note to lessen your work load and exempt you from OT. </p> <p>Hang in there!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864787 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:55:52 +0000 kiddosc 864787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @T.H.O.U. I bet they would rather have you for 40hrs than no hours. Honestly, it's not sustainable to work those kind of hours right up until your EDD. and you shouldn't be expected to. I would talk to them, and explain that you want to do your part, but physically you just can't keep up. The worst that happens is that they say they can't accommodate you further and you'll have to leave for maternity leave sooner... which is where you're at right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864706 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:22:17 +0000 Grace 864706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my gosh, that sounds absolutely hellish, whether you are pregnant or not! I mean, my first instinct is to say quit your job and do something else! But, I realize that this may not be an option or you might normally like your job, so that might not be helpful. :). I agree with the other girls. Your health is really important right now. I worry about your stress - not making it to term, post partum depression, etc, etc. If you can get a note from your doctor to reduce hours, please don't let the guilt get to you. Hugs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864540 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:57:20 +0000 T.H.O.U. 864540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with trying to get a Dr. note requiring less hours would be great. </p> <p>Also, maybe just talk to them honestly and say look, either cut back my hours or I will need to leave for maternity leave sooner. I would hope they would rather have you at least for 40 hours then no hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864338 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:43:16 +0000 Sapphiresun 864338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Fair enough... I totally get mandatory OT (I was a 911 call taker, and DH is a police officer - both completely understaffed) and the whole thing about making us feel like responsibility for the safety of the entire city is dependent on us killing ourselves and having no life just makes me angry (for us AND for you). That said... if you came in with a dr's note that says you will ONLY work regular full time, I doubt they could actually make you work mandatory OT. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864332 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:37:34 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 864332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sapphiresun: We have 8 rookies going through training now which will solve some of this. But they won't be cut until I am on mat leave. Also, OT is mandatory now... promise I am not doing it to myself!<br /> That is where I am stuck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864319 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:29:40 +0000 tequiero21 864319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sapphiresun: agreed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864311 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:24:54 +0000 Sapphiresun 864311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like a lot of times jobs in this field make their issues the problem of their employees, and take advantage of the fact that most people who choose a law enforcement/justice field job have a huge innate sense of personal responsibility to do more with less and less. Really, this is not your problem. They need to hire some people so that they're not burning out their employees. It's pretty unreasonable to expect an 8 month pregnant woman to work that much OT. It's not YOU who's not being fair to your coworkers, it's your employer. I think you need to watch out for #1 here, and start turning down OT. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exhausted-and-dont-know-how-much-more-work-i-can-take#post-864282 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:58:33 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 864282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work a very different schedule than most people that, on a regular non-pregnant basis can be exhausting. Add in being almost 8 months pregnant and it just plain sucks. </p> <p>My normal schedule is 6pm-6am Thurs night-Sun morning with every other Wed. So, I work 84 hours every pay period. I have to sleep during the day because I work nights, which is taxing enough when you add in having to switch my schedule around every "weekend" just so I can spend time with DH and family. You can imagine how physically and mentally draining that is. </p> <p>Well, add on the fact that we are understaffed and usually have 1-2 days of scheduled overtime a week. Which means each week, instead of working an average of 42 hours, I am actually working more like 68 hours. PLUS when we are on call it is almost guaranteed that we will be called in to work the entire weekend... AKA 11 days straight of 12 hour shifts. </p> <p>Now, like any pregnant woman, I am constantly tired as it is. I have my fair share of pregnancy pains and days it is just plain difficult to function. My job isn't laid back either. I work in a jail. I am on "light" duty for safety reasons but all that means is I don't have physical contact with inmates. I work in the bond desk which, infact, is more stressful that actually working with the inmates! I don't get a break. Period. For 12 hours. No scheduled lunch break, nothing. </p> <p>I am exhausted. Seriously tired. Constantly. We all have to share the overtime and on-call as equally as we can so some of us can get atleast a few days off here and there but because everybody is so overworked there is more vacation being taken, more sick days being used, and thus, more overtime needing to be filled. We can't run short staffed for safety and logistic reasons. </p> <p>I am already taking a week before my EDD off and using two weeks Comp Time (I take time rather than pay for my overtime so I can use it for the baby) so I don't have to start my FMLA until later. I can't afford to take much more time off of my regular schedule. </p> <p>I just don't know what to do... I am seriously getting so burnt out I have taken 2 sick days just because I was too tired to work. That's it. Just tired. </p> <p>What would you do? I am at such a loss. I don't want to leave all this OT for my co-workers to pick up the slack, esp since I don't think they would understand. It also just isn't fair to them. Period. </p> <p>Sorry this was so long. It is a complicated and delicate situation. </p>