off work with back pains/ sickness help

[allenbee]

Hello guys looking for some advice

Im due on maternity leave in 9 weeks, I dont really want to start it any sooner.
Last week I was off work with back ache/hip pains, midwife has referred me to a physio but basically just said its cos im tall and pregnant!
Iv gone back to work this morning, and within an hour of sat at my desk im in so much pain all ready, my desk or screen isnt the right height for a 6ft1 lady, and my chair is not supportive of my back. I went to talk to my manager about it, and asked if I could work from home or get a supportive chair and desk that is the right height. I can not work from home and they could refer me to occupation health for a new chair but will take longer then what I have left at work ! She said if I cant cope to go off on sick.
I know if im on sick 4weeks before my expected birth week they will start my maternity leave sooner, which I obviously dont want!
If I go on sick and come back to work for the last week before my maternity leave starts, can they refuse me back due to my back?

Did you not get a health safety assessment way back at the start? Are you member of a union you should be able to join one ASAP. They shouldn’t be able make you start leave because they don’t want bother of going through process.

Yes I got a risk assessment done at the beginning and I was redeployed due to working in a hospital and covid still being around. So im now in a office doing phone calls.
Our policy states : In cases where pregnancy related
sickness occurs after the beginning of the fourth week before the expected week of childbirth
(EWC) maternity leave will start automatically from the first day of absence'

The risk assessment should include things like having right size desk and chair. You are not sick as such if you are only in pain due to unsuitable equipment. Might be easier for you to see if there is any suitable desks you can arrange to “borrow” from elsewhere for temp solution

Who did you speak to, your line manager or HR?

I think you said line manager. She clearly doesn’t know about health and safety.

Do you have an HR or H&S officer? They would be my first port of call.

You are effectively being forced to go off because their polices are not good enough.