work trip while pregnant - is business class a reasonable ask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It’s a legitimate health matter and that’s a long flight. I’m sorry you even entertain the notion of being considered a “diva” for being concerned about your physical well-being on a long-haul flight at 31 weeks pregnant. I would ask.

How is it a legitimate health matter? What about business class is healthier?

Pregnancy is a tremendous change in the health and well-being of the woman. Business class is roomier. Are you dense?

+1. "How is it a legitimate health matter," WTAF. Let's guess, PP, you are one of those guys that thinks women should be denied access to abortion because "it's no harder than carrying a handbag around and she can just give the baby up for adoption when it's born." Pregnancy is a serious health condition, yes, dumb-dumb. And OP, you are not being a diva to ask about this. I have worked for companies that upgrade travelers at their request because they're "big men" and "need more room," or "sprained their ankle hiking" or whatever lame excuse. Plus if your company is already willing to pay $3K to send you overseas, they can suck up the extra.

Of course pregnancy is a legitimate health condition. But how will being in business class address that health condition? Of course it will be more comfortable, and I personally think the company should spring for it for that reason alone. But the PP said being in business class is necessary to address a health condition, yet no one seems able to explain how exactly it will do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely ask. Your risk for clotting is substantially higher when pregnant, added to the increased risk of clotting fir anyone who flies. It truly is a health issue.

Wow, I had no idea that business class had some magical anti-coagulant properties! That's quite an amenity. Do they spike your drink with Coumadin?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I would be worried about blood clots in the legs.

Yes that is the real danger and flying business class won’t change that

Yes, Op would need to stand up and walk around every 1hr regardless of where she sits.

It is *much* easier when you’re not in coach. But there is also just the comfort issue which is 100% a legitimate reason to ask for business. If they are going to make her go, it shouldn’t have to be significantly more uncomfortable for her than it would be for anybody else in the company. Really I think OP should just not go though.

Sure. But "Business class is more comfortable" =/= "a legitimate health matter"

Not OP, but I had problems with the tendons in my hips while pregnant as well as a pinched nerve that made my leg and foot numb. If I flew in coach for 4+ hours, especially if the person in front of me reclined, I probably would not have been able to walk off the plane. I would need a wheelchair. Being able to move a bit and adjust to a more comfortable position would make a big difference.

[Anonymous]

What’s your relationship with your manager and is his/her budget usually tight? If you have a good rapport and concerns about money are not regularly voiced about this and that, I would totally ask. Especially if the manager is a woman who has already experienced pregnancy or is married/partnered to one.

[Anonymous]

Yes I would absolutely ask. But personally, no way would I want to travel at 31 weeks. By that time, I've always been so miserable and over pregnancy I can't image flying somewhere unless it was an emergency.

[Anonymous]

Ask for economy comfort.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Im pretty sure this is the fed rule but it may be just the level beyond coach- Idk if that is business but I do remember reading something about that in our contractor manual on travel.

Federal employee? Uh no. That would be 14 hours but even with a longer than 14 hour trip you may have to follow individual agency guidance, which may deviate.

Or if her doctor writes a note recommending business class to accommodate for any of a number of issues a pregnant woman might be at higher risk for including joint strain, blood clots, fainting due to low blood pressure, etc. My OB wrote a note for me and my agency happily accommodated. They have to give the same accommodations for pregnancy they would give for any other health concern.

How would business class accommodate any of those things? It is like saying I have diabetes so I need a big window office. The two don't connect.

Sure they do, if your doctor advises you need unrestricted ability to move your legs and feet to reduce your blood clot risk, as well as the ability to lie flat to avoid fainting and dizziness. I don’t know of much unrestricted leg room or lie flat seating in coach.

Also, diabetes is a false equivalency. A diabetic is diabetic for years or for life. A pregnant woman is pregnant for nine months of which she might need accommodation for six. It’s foolish to say that a one time $3000 cost is worth alienating an employee, raising the chances they go elsewhere after maternity leave, and possibly setting yourself up for a lawsuit. Particularly in this market.

[Anonymous]

I question a company that would ask a woman who is 31 weeks pregnant to fly internationally.

What happens if you go into labor while on this trip?

Or if you get COVID and get stranded in the country and then go into labor?

This seems like way more risk than most companies would be willing to take.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't as far along, but my company allowed this when I was pregnant. Our policy allows for business class at a certain level of seniority for flights of a certain length; i didn't yet qualify on the seniority.

If they want you to go, and you're willing to go, I can't imagine anyone saying no to this. You'd have to be pretty cold to say no. And if they say no, I agree with getting a doctor's note. I am sure your doctor will accomodate that for a variety of reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Im pretty sure this is the fed rule but it may be just the level beyond coach- Idk if that is business but I do remember reading something about that in our contractor manual on travel.

Federal employee? Uh no. That would be 14 hours but even with a longer than 14 hour trip you may have to follow individual agency guidance, which may deviate.

Or if her doctor writes a note recommending business class to accommodate for any of a number of issues a pregnant woman might be at higher risk for including joint strain, blood clots, fainting due to low blood pressure, etc. My OB wrote a note for me and my agency happily accommodated. They have to give the same accommodations for pregnancy they would give for any other health concern.

Is there a dr on staff in business class or something? What am I missing here? At risk for fainting. Oh lord

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be worried about blood clots in the legs.

Yes that is the real danger and flying business class won’t change that

Yes, Op would need to stand up and walk around every 1hr regardless of where she sits.

It is *much* easier when you’re not in coach. But there is also just the comfort issue which is 100% a legitimate reason to ask for business. If they are going to make her go, it shouldn’t have to be significantly more uncomfortable for her than it would be for anybody else in the company. Really I think OP should just not go though.

Sure. But "Business class is more comfortable" =/= "a legitimate health matter"

I'm not saying they are the same. I'm saying that being able to move freely and easily would be related to the legitimate health condition, but that there shouldn't even need to be something that business class could offer that would help deal with a legitimate health condition. Lots of companies fly their people business and it not because they all need business for a legitimate health condition. If anybody in this company flies business on overseas so they can be more comfortable, they should extend that courtesy to OP as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Im pretty sure this is the fed rule but it may be just the level beyond coach- Idk if that is business but I do remember reading something about that in our contractor manual on travel.

Federal employee? Uh no. That would be 14 hours but even with a longer than 14 hour trip you may have to follow individual agency guidance, which may deviate.

Or if her doctor writes a note recommending business class to accommodate for any of a number of issues a pregnant woman might be at higher risk for including joint strain, blood clots, fainting due to low blood pressure, etc. My OB wrote a note for me and my agency happily accommodated. They have to give the same accommodations for pregnancy they would give for any other health concern.

Is there a dr on staff in business class or something? What am I missing here? At risk for fainting. Oh lord

No: you can lie flat in business class. You’re not familiar with fainting are you.

[Anonymous]

OP, how high on the food chain are you? If others in your firm fly business, then ask. If you are valued and in good standing, ask. If your firm isn’t penny-pinching, then ask. Explain why you’re asking (I.e. health, not a taste for the finer things in life), point out that normally you fly coach with no issue. I say ask, be professional and matter-of-fact. If you don’t ask, then you’ll definitely be in coach!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want it, you pay the difference.

This^^

You (and others) embarrass yourself asking for special accommodations for pregnancy. If you need something special, you should be at home, on bedrest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a legitimate health matter and that’s a long flight. I’m sorry you even entertain the notion of being considered a “diva” for being concerned about your physical well-being on a long-haul flight at 31 weeks pregnant. I would ask.

How is it a legitimate health matter? What about business class is healthier?

+1
I would be annoyed as a manager/owner and would lose respect for you (and I have flown pregnant many times for work). Use your own points or pay the difference

Were your flights over 6 hours and international at 31/32 weeks pregnant? If not it’s apples and oranges, and you are the type of female manager that all women should strive to avoid. No pregnant woman should be expected to travel over 6 hours internationally at that stage of pregnancy. OP, your doctor will gladly excuse you from this type of flight at that stage of pregnancy.

I flew internationally up to 30 weeks but would not have flown at 31/32 weeks and would have told my boss. If I needed a note I would have gotten one. My point is the risk of flying while pregnant is two fold - blood clots and going into labor on the flights or at the destination. Business or first won’t alleviate either of those issues. I also teach my employees to not expect special treatment or be needy so they are self sufficient and successful. They actually would already be flying business for international but if they were not they’d upgrade on their own.