pregnant and there is a confirmed case of swine flu in the office

[browntrout]

should I go in or stay at home? I am 24 weeks tomorrow and am pretty fit and healthy overall. I have a 2.7 DD and my partner works away during the week (and in fact is due to be away this weekend as well). Just had a call from the office to say that there is one suspected case of swine flu in my office and others confrimed within the building.

I am a civil servant and happily they are very supportive of pregnant women so I know they would respect my decision if I decided to stay away. However, I am not by instinct a panicker and have a mountain of work to deal with and dont want to make a fuss over nothing.

so, WWYD??

Can you work from home - I'd do that for two weeks and then review it if you can.

I too would try to work from home, perhaps get someone to drop paper work off for you so you don't need to go in and get it?

I am also not a panicker - the first thing my occ health department said was that I should stay away from anyone with a sniffle. Do you have an occ health department who can take this decision away from you?

My first reaction would be to stay away. On the otherhand - you really can't escape a pandemic. You can only catch it through someone who is exhibiting symptoms and if people are very diligent about staying away when they have a snuffle then you shouldn't have to be the one keeping away.

Mixed advice - but you can't stay away from the outside world for the next 6 months...

Meant to say... my Mums school has had a few cases - they advised a pg teacher not to come in.

I have a couple of colleagues who have been dx with swine flu too. I don't actually work directly with them, but go into their office a few times a day.

I am 15 weeks pg, but have taken the view of not being able to stay off work indefinitely. How do you determine when to go back? It's obviously a personal decision though.

PJ has an important point - this is going to be around for a long time yet.

thanks for such quick replies.

I kind of agree with the principle that I can't realistically avoid it forever and so even if I stay off for a couple of weeks it may still be as bad (or most likely worse) by the time I decide to come back.

I think I will give the MW a call and speak to my HR department and see if there is any policy on it. I will then possibly try and mix working from home and going in when necessary. I do have an office (shared with 1 other) so I could always shut the door and not touch anyone/thing in the open plan bit!

Browntrout - I'm a HR Manager, albeit not in the public sector. I'm sure they will be able to guide you. I am just telling anyone with symptoms to call their GP and STAY AWAY FROM ME!!

thanks PJ - sounds like good advice. We all have personal issue anti bacterial gels on our desks so I will just liberally apply it at 2 minute intervals.