Covid risk assessment and pregnancy

[Trinpy]

My work has brought in a Covid risk assessment which all employees have to complete. One of the questions is Are you pregnant? I have just found out I'm pregnant (only just 4 weeks). If I tick yes on the form then that means my whole management team will know, I will have to complete a pregnancy risk assessment, etc. Ideally, I wouldn't want anyone knowing until after the 12 scan due to the chance of miscarriage and the fact that dh and I are still slightly in shock about it all (unplanned pregnancy). Plus I was just offered a promotion this week and I was hoping to wow everyone with how well I adapt to my new role before telling them I'm buggering off for a year on mat leave .

Otoh, I'm currently working home and expected to start going back to working in the office a couple of days a week now. I know I get exhausted and have awful all-day morning sickness until around 16 weeks, so telling work about the pregnancy now would mean I could ask to stay working from home a little longer which would be a million times easier for me.

DH thinks I should keep quiet about it for now, I'm undecided but leaning towards telling the truth.

What would you do? I have to fill out the risk assessment by Monday.

[leftitlate37]

congrats!! on the baby and the promotion!! i'm a terrible liar, even little white lies would make me feel so guilty so i know whatyou mean about leaning to telling the truth! On the other hand, easier said when it's not me doing it, but you technically don't have to tell your work yet, and it's so early days I don't think it's unreasonable not too!
Having said this, they are presumably doing it to ensure your safety and wellbeing at work with covid, soooo...can see the argument for telling them, so u can carry on home working for a bit!
sorry this is no help! i don't know what i would do! im sure whatever you do will work out for the best :)

[Trinpy]

Thanks!!! At least I have the weekend to think it over

[Tarantallegra]

I'm lucky I think as I don't drive so I failed the risk assessment on the public transport element so I haven't told them yet and won't do until I've had a scan and know all is well.

In your shoes I'm not sure what I would do but I will say the tiredness hit me like a train. Being able to nap over lunch at home and have extra time in bed in the mornings is something I'm very grateful for, I don't know if I could have coped without it.

[Trinpy]

Hmm good point about the tiredness. It would make my life a million times easier if I could have a nap when I like. Also with wfh I can spread my work over 6 or 7 days if I need to, as long as the work gets done, so I have the option of working less hours in the day and not having to stick to set times. Plus the toilets at work are on the other side of the building from my office and I have to put a mask on and swipe my way through a million security doors to get there!! Not ideal when I'm throwing up every 30 mins . I think I'm leaning towards just telling the truth. I will email my boss first to let her know so she won't find out via a risk assessment .

[BuckleUp]

@Trinpy Congratulations! I had to tell my work around the same time as you as there is a blanket ban on pregnant employees on site because of covid. It felt far too early but everyone has been really supportive. I told my line manger first and she had to tell her line manager and her manager's manager. Currently they're the only people who know and are making excuses for me still working from home. I'll tell the rest of the team after the 12 week scan (I'm currently 9+4). Could you maybe tell your manager confidentially and leave the form blank? You'll still have plenty of time to ace your new job role! Good luck 😊

[Whiffle77]

Just to mention that being pregnant doesn't mean you can stay working from home. It will depend on your employer. Im 28 weeks and back in a few days a week.
Something to think about if that's your main reason for telling them!

[Mindymomo]

At only 4 weeks I would be tempted to say no unless you’ve had it confirmed by doctor/nurse. These assessments are standard but allow management to work out who is vulnerable to covid and needs assessing before returning to the office. It is for your benefit if you would feel safer continuing to work from home or if you return they would have to make office space more safe.

[Trinpy]

Thank you everyone for your comments.

Whiffle that is a good point about being pregnant not being enough of an excuse not to return to the office. Do you need to be in the office part of the week to do your job? Tbh, the only reasons work seem to want us to go in to the office is 1) so they can say we're office based rather than home based and 2) for our own mh so we're getting out and seeing people etc. I think as long as I showed my face a couple of times a month they would be ok.

I'm reading everyone's comments and I'm still torn!!!