Pregancy and Work

[Lise]

[SPAN class=spnMessageText id=msg][FONT face=Verdana color=#191970 size=2]I've a question about being pregnant. A co-worker of mine is pregnant and is concerned about taking radiographs or x-ray at work. Granted we use digital these days and the amount of radiation is minimal but there's still radiation. She is having some problems with her pregnancy and would prefer NOT to take any radiographs if possible.

My supervisor told her that she MUST take them because it's part of her work requirement and she could get fired if she refuses. I was actually quite shocked to hear that my supervisor actually told her this. Being a woman herself, you would think this supervisor would have been more sympathetic but she wasn't.

I would like to ask the posters out there if this is a union issue. Should she take this up to the union? What are her rights? What can she do? Thanks in advance.[/FONT][/SPAN]

[P.C.]

 I usually think that if you can't do your job, you can't HAVE the job.  But if she is willing to work in other capacities while she is pregnant.    I would not want to do that either if I were pregnant.

    If this is the bulk of her 'job requirement', she may not have much luck. But if it is only a small part of her job and she can fill in the gaps doing other work, she may be okay.  I just asked hub, (he's pretty knowledgeable about labour laws and such) and he said she should definitely put in a grievance.    

[Michel]

   
   

[Lise]

I agree that she should have gone to her union stewart and ask her about it. Trouble is the union stewart isn't the most popular person around and no one likes her. I'm quite surprised she's voted as one.

  At any rate, this co-worker has decided enough is enough and has taken medical/stress-related leave for the time being. I don't know when she will be coming back. If the baby is carried to full term, she can extend her leave into maternity leave which I hope she will do. Otherwise, we might see her back with us soon... minus the little bambino. Kinda worried for her.

  Que sera sera. Such is life.

[Michel]

       

[49er]

is the concern valid?  Doesn't the technician move to a protected area when she takes the shot.  I always wondered if those monitoring badges worn by techs ever detect exposure in routine dental office work  

[Lise]

Thanks for the link, Michel. I will tell her about this though I'm not sure if she will act on it. She's not the type that likes to cause trouble in the workplace even though she's got a legitimate reason to. At any rate, it will be interesting to see my other co-worker who's also pregnant and has to lift heavy stuff. We'll see what will happen in the coming weeks.

  49er - I don't think there's a lot of radiation going on when taking radiographs. The amount taken is quite small compare to hospitals when they're taking full x-rays on a person. When I was pregnant (both times) I actually had to work with x-ray machines that were not digital. Here at the university, they use digital and you don't even have to stay in the same room. I guess for her, it isn't about whether or not she's exposed to any radiation but that as a pregnant woman, she should be given the RIGHT if she should take any radiographs or not.

  As it stands, there are so many of us who can take radiographs. Heck, I'll take it if she doesn't want to... even the dental students can take them.

  What's funny (or not) is that everything boils down to politics. It's so so unfair at work sometimes......

[P.C.]

 I guess for her, it isn't about whether or not she's exposed to any radiation but that as a pregnant woman, she should be given the RIGHT if she should take any radiographs or not.

  This is where I have a bit of a problem.  Of course she has the right to not take radiographs.  But if that IS the job and she doesn't want to do it (or finds she is incapable of doing it), she has the right to find a job that she wants to do (or that she is capable of doing).  

  It's a bit of a stretch, but if I took a job as a cashier, but didn't want to touch money...there'd be a problem.  I certainly think I should have the right to not touch money if I don't want to...but then I would have to choose a job where touching money isn't an issue. No?