WWYD - When is it OK to pull the "pregnancy card"?

[Deleted]

I'm at work today and my boss decided to have the walls painted while we're all still here. The painter just came and painted right outside of my work area and the smell is making me want to throw up! 

I did some research and apparently latex paints are safe to be around if you're pregnant and in a well-ventilated area. But this is not a well-ventilated area. The guy just set up a fan next to me to blow the fumes away. I'm trying to decide if now would be an acceptable time to pull the pregnancy card and just go home. I've already had two coworkers come by and say that its bad for me to smell the paint. It's 2:45 right now and I usually leave the office at 5:30. My boss is in a mediation for the rest of the day and is probably not coming back to the office.... 

What would you do?

My uterus hurts just sitting here and I can't even think straight!

[hb4]

100% I would get up and leave. That is so not acceptable. To be honest it's not acceptable if you're not pregnant!!! 

[mrskblack11]

I would get out of there. You have a legitimate reason as it is unsafe since it is not a well ventilated area.

[mrsdee1982]

I would leave. 100% acceptable to pull the pregnancy card here.

[gigi3126]

I second what PP said. Also, consider how productive you will be if you stay. I can't imagine that trying to work while the smell is making you sick would be easy. I've definite pulled the pregnancy card for less.

[Deleted]

Play the card. That's not ok.

[Widget123]

email the boss and then leave.

[mmo2112]

I'd bounce, too. And honestly I don't think I'd even classify it as "playing the pregnancy card." I'm hoping your boss is somewhat reasonable and will understand!

[Deleted]

Now. I would definitely leave.

[Deleted]

Thanks ladies. I'm going to email my boss and tell him I'm OUT.

It's not like I've been very productive today anyways....

[honeybunches101]

Leave. Unless you have a major meeting or something Thr has to be done right now, you should go. A couple of hours of paint fumes probably wouldn't hurt you or baby, but there's no sense in risking it. If the smell is strong enough to bother you and it's right outside you're desk, I can't imagine your boss would be upset.

[neongreen]

I'd leave. If your boss makes a really big deal out of it after the fact, maybe you can work something out where you come in a little early/stay a little late for the rest of the week or so.

[gingerbabe]

I'm on board with everyone else. Leave.

[Stormy61]

I agree that you have every right to leave. Can you work from home any?

[Deleted]

I left! I'm just going in early tomorrow to make up the time...

[trixi282]

Glad you decided to leave... my office's policy is that any interior painting cannot be started until nearly the end of a business day. That's disruptive to everyone, not just pregnant women!

Hopefully your boss won't think too much of it.

[leenziepops]

Leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kpgrala]

I agree with everyone else leave. Im glad you left. Thats not right of them.

[nchauhan]

I'm glad you left! Those fumes were not doing you or baby any good

[erbear]

I'm glad you left! That's just rude to do to anyone, pregnant or not!

[kemdupuis]

I am so glad you left. I would have pulled the pregnancy card, too. There is no reason to keep yourself in an environment that might harm your perfect LO. Props to you!!!

[missjenniebean]

Leave. I'm surprised that they paint during business hours. Leave, it'll be better than feeling sick all day!

[missjenniebean]

Jan 27, 2015 16:00:29 GMT -5 @littlebee said:

I left! I'm just going in early tomorrow to make up the time...

Somehow missed this, good!!!

[mcp6286]

Glad you decided to leave - better safe than sorry!

If it makes you feel any better, my DH pulls the pregnancy card ALL the time. Anytime he wants something and isn't getting it fast enough, he's like, "I have a pregnant wife who wants..." and totally blames it on me! LOL

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 22:54:01 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

Glad you decided to leave - better safe than sorry!

If it makes you feel any better, my DH pulls the pregnancy card ALL the time. Anytime he wants something and isn't getting it fast enough, he's like, "I have a pregnant wife who wants..." and totally blames it on me! LOL

My DH does this all the time now too! Sometimes I tell him to pull the pregnancy card, but lately I've been catching him doing it on his own just to get out of doing stuff... 

"No mom, littlebee isn't feeling good so we can't come over" or "Littlebee went to bed early, I can't have company tonight"

[roo54]

Are we in the same office? My work is repainting as well. Luckily they haven't been on my floor yet though, only doing the hallway on the first floor, and the stairwell. I'm hoping they don't repaint my floor when I'm here.