In a field that is dominated by women, you may run into a situation where you have a pregnant team member on your team. As forensic supervisors it’s important to protect and care for your team members, but how do you make them feel appreciated during a difficult and exhausting time? Support them! Here are our top three ways to support your pregnant team member as a forensic supervisor.
Communicate:
Communication is the key to CSI! Especially when you have a pregnant team member.
In our experience, many women who work in our field while pregnant have a tendency to overdo things. They need to sit more, hydrate more, snack more, and reduce stress. Hard to do when you are on a scene with a retaliation shooting happening down the street.
That’s where you come in. You have the power to make that team member feel safe and understood through communication. Figure out what this team member really needs. Do they seem tired? Do they seem like they want to work? What tasks are easier for them? Are there special assignments you can give them when they’re having a bad pregnancy day?
Work with them and you won’t have to worry about losing them.
Know the Policies:
As a supervisor, it’s important to know your department’s policies, but if your HR policies are lacking in the pregnancy protection department here are some of the federal laws to help your team members when necessary.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) states that if you’re capable of performing your job duties, you can’t be fired, laid off, or paid less than your non-pregnant cohorts. You also can’t be overlooked for a promotion or a new job because you’re pregnant.
Under the PDA, if you need to take a leave of absence due to a pregnancy complication, your employer must offer you the same leave options as other workers with temporary disabilities. That includes providing the same disability leave to you, with or without pay.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects pregnant women who may be experiencing complications, though pregnancy itself is not considered a disability. Pregnancy complications covered by the ADA include but are not limited to: pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related sciatica, and preeclampsia.
Under the ADA, if a prenatal complication prevents you from being able to work as you did before you were pregnant – for example, standing for long periods of time or doing heavy lifting – your boss may be obligated to make accommodations. These include temporarily assigning you less physical work, or allowing you to work from home if possible, as long as the change doesn’t cause your employer undue hardship (significant difficulty or expense).
Employers with at least 15 employees are legally obligated to comply with the PDA and the ADA. If your company is not covered, check with the U.S. Department of Labor to see if your state has similar nondiscrimination employment laws.
Family & Medical Leave Act
The Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) states that any private company with more than 50 employees is required to offer eligible workers – those who have been employed by the company for at least 12 months –12 weeks of time off for a pregnancy-related absence or to take care of a newborn, adopted child, or foster child. Many states also have individual family leave provisions – as do many individual businesses – so check with your HR department to see what other options might be available to you.
Support a pregnant team member
Gifts are always welcomed:
Ever heard of Love Languages? The funny thing about love languages is that we need all of them to be fulfilled. Even if you receive love through touch or words of affirmation – you still need gifts and acts of service to be fulfilled just not as often.
So, buy that team member a cup of decaf coffee, or their biggest craving.
Want something a little more gifty? Here are some ideas from Etsy to get you started.
New Mom Candle – $18.80
Morning Sickness Box – $69.00
Tiny Human Mom Socks – $14.99
100 Pregnancy Quotes, Affirmations, & Humour – $17.26
Morning Sickness Mama Essential Oil – $9.00
