Pregnancy and lab work, in a bad spot

[SpatiallyAware]

So you are saying women shouldn't be allowed to be chemists if they ever plan on having children?

My wife has a masters degree in chemistry. She was a lab manager. Companies must be flexible enough to allow people to avoid chemicals when women are pregnant. Personally, it is good practice to learn how to operate when the mother is out for 8 weeks of maternity leave.

Good luck to the OP, this is a tough situation.

"Hi, please hire me at a competitive pay rate - but know that you need to be prepared to allow me to leave with for 8 weeks with less than two weeks notice or else I'll sue you."

 

[zinfamous]

what chemicals? If it's an industrial/organic chem type setting then I imagine you have more concerns--the type of lab stuff I do (molecular biology), there are only 2 or 3 chemicals that one comes into that arouse a slight bit of concern for pregnancy.

In that case, my advice would be: lab coat, double glove, mask and goggles. pants and closed shoes, always.

 

[Codewiz]

"Hi, please hire me at a competitive pay rate - but know that you need to be prepared to allow me to leave with for 8 weeks with less than two weeks notice or else I'll sue you."

Wow, I never knew that pregnancy's came full term in 2 weeks. News to me.

You have 9 fucking months to get your shit in order to deal with a woman going on maternity leave.

Hell I took 8 weeks of paternity leave when my son was born. And when we adopt our next child, I will be taking 12 weeks of leave.

 

[Number1]

One would think that if there really was an elevated risk for pregnant woman, there would be regulations in place to protect them.

Anyway, working for a chemical company and being afraid of chemicals sound rather ridiculous to me.

And what's with this "we're pregnant" and "we're getting an ultrasound" shit?

 

[Codewiz]

One would think that if there really was an elevated risk for pregnant woman, there would be regulations in place to protect them.

Anyway, working for a chemical company and being afraid of chemicals sound rather ridiculous to me.

And what's with this "we're pregnant" and "we're getting an ultrasound" shit?

Sorry but my wife being a chemist doesn't mean she never had accidents. It is one thing for an accident to raise your risk of disease due to an accident, it is another to risk your unborn child.

Most labs are going to have safety procedures but like I said, accidents happen and it is better to be reassigned to other work if possible.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I know most of you aren't lawyers and legal advice over the internet is useless but I just want to know our options and get some opinions. What kind of lawyer should I even consult on this? I'm fucking pissed about this bullshit.

TLDR: Pregnant wife wants work to shift her to lab responsibilities involving less chemicals, boss is pushing back against it.

You should talk to a lawyerme that specializes in FMLA (family medical leave act) and (possibly) workers comp.

You should also call your local hazmat authority, poison control center with a list of chemicals that your wife works with and ask them (as well as your doctor) to identify those that present risks specific to pregnancy.