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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Working from home - pregnant

22 replies

Chocoholic26 · 13/03/2021 13:19

Posting for traffic. I’m a teacher and becoming increasingly concerned about my safety within the classroom re covid. I have 4 full time adults in my class who work with asn children. The classroom is cramped and I cannot physically socially distance from the adults or children. I cannot effectively teach with a mask on (as much as I do try). As far as I can see the government guidance is that regardless of gestation (I’m 24 weeks) we should be supported by our employers in that they should mitigate risks or provide alternative working (e.g. from home). I’ve had an occ health referral and the report was so vague that my boss has been able to twist what has been said and I’ve still to work. I’m getting ready to be signed off with the stress of if all but I was just wondering if anyone else is in the same position. Is there anything else I can do? Feeling really unsupported. My union can’t really seem to do much either. Help

OP posts:

Christmasmum3 · 13/03/2021 16:55

I am 34 weeks pregant and was told by midwife that the guidance is that from 28 weeks pregnant women should work from home or be suspended on full pay. There is a letter a template letter on the Pregnant then Screwed website reminding employers of their obligations which might help.

Christmasmum3 · 13/03/2021 16:57

pregnantthenscrewed.com/covid-19/write-to-your-employer-risks-for-pregnant-women/

Santatizer · 13/03/2021 17:00

Will PM you.

ivfbeenbusy · 13/03/2021 17:05

suspended on full pay.

You aren't legally entitled to this at all as far as I am aware

BritWifeinUSA · 13/03/2021 17:10

Why are you do concerned? Are you in generally poor health? Are you as worried about chicken pox? As a teacher you’re surely at a higher than average risk of being around people with chicken pox. Isn’t that a greater risk during pregnancy?

Santatizer · 13/03/2021 17:16

@ivfbeenbusy yes, pregnant employees are entitled to this if it is not supported by their risk assessment that the workplace is safe (and this includes being able to socially distance in line with national guidelines) AND the employer cannot find alternative work for the employee to do at the same pay, which enables them to be safe, for example redeployment within the building or home working.

GreenSlide · 13/03/2021 17:22

@BritWifeinUSA

'Pregnant women are at increased risk of having a severe form of Covid-19 compared to other women, according to an ongoing global study. The research, led by the University of Birmingham and World Health Organisation (WHO), found pregnant women were more likely to be admitted to intensive care or need invasive ventilation after contracting coronavirus than non-pregnant reproductive aged women.'https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/health/pregnancy-coronavirus-covid-risk-latest-b1815293.html%3famp

Maybe this is why most people have immunity to chickenpox. Pregnant women aren't usually vaccinated against covid.

8dpwoah · 13/03/2021 17:30

Time to get union support, OP. I work in a similar environment although not as a teacher so I've been asked to work mostly from home and I'm nowhere near as far along as you are. We've already had a bubble burst this week.

OverTheRainbow88 · 13/03/2021 17:33

It’s 2.5 weeks then Easter hol then you’ll be 28 weeks so can hopefully work from home.

Poor form I know but can you call in sick for 2 weeks? Or get signed off with stress?

letshopethisonesticks · 13/03/2021 18:34

Would you be willing to have the jab? You can talk to GP re risks of being jab vs not jabbed. I personally have been jabbed because of asthma but still talked the options through and decided I'd prefer asthma+ pregnancy than asthma + pregnancy + covid.

Original poster

Chocoholic26 · 13/03/2021 18:38

@BritWifeinUSA

Yes, as @GreenSlide stated, if we contract covid we are at much higher risk of being seriously ill.

OP posts:

Original poster

Chocoholic26 · 13/03/2021 18:42

Thank you for your replies. I’m hoping that they will allow me to work from home from 28weeks but still concerned just now and I feel the guidance is very black and white in terms of mitigating risks at any gestation. I’ve spoken to my boss again and they are going to contact HR this week for advice but no doubt they will just go along the lines of stay 2m away and wear a mask. I’d love these people to spend 5 minutes in a classroom and I’m sure they’d change their minds! I’m just hoping the numbers continue to fall and we don’t have a breakout at school. If I continue to feel unsafe I’m just going to have to go down the sick line route but really don’t want them to start my mat leave early. Stress!

OP posts:

Dillybear · 13/03/2021 18:44

I’m shocked by the responses on here. What’s happening with teachers is absolutely unforgivable anyway, I have many teacher friends and I can’t believe they haven’t been vaccinated along with other front lines staff. But being pregnant as well, it’s just unthinkable.

For people saying that she should be as worried as the risk of chickenpox I know someone who caught Covid at work (frontline, similar profession) and who very sadly lost her baby as a direct consequence. There is research showing that the likelihood of miscarriage is higher if you contract Covid whilst pregnant.

I’m not trying to make you frightened, OP, I’m just saying this as I can’t believe the lack of support you’re getting.

You don’t owe your employer anything. The only people you need to think of are yourself and your child. Get yourself signed off, I wouldn’t be going back in in your position. Wishing you a healthy pregnancy.

Dillybear · 13/03/2021 18:45

Also they can’t start your maternity leave until you’re 37 weeks pregnant.

Maternity action are a fantastic charity who support pregnant women - they have a helpline you can call. They may have some stuff on Covid (id be surprised if they didn’t)

Original poster

Chocoholic26 · 13/03/2021 18:46

@letshopethisonesticks yes I’ve been considering this as a last resort. I have quite a few friends who are midwives though and every single one says they wouldn’t have it which certainly puts me off. Fortunately I don’t have any underlying health conditions so feeling like work would be the only reason. I’m on the fence and just don’t know what to do for the best. How were you after it? Did you have any fever etc?

OP posts:

Original poster

Chocoholic26 · 13/03/2021 18:53

@Dillybear thank you, I’ll check them out. I’m sorry to hear about the person you know. It’s stories like me that definitely mKe me worried. The lady who did my OH referral said that it’s the BAME community who are most at risk so I shouldn’t worry as I’m not. I was a bit stunned at that! There clearly is still risk. Hopefully I should hear more this week. I really don’t want to be signed off as o want to work but you’re right, we are just a number after all x

OP posts:

8dpwoah · 13/03/2021 19:02

Are you not in a union? Sorry to mention again but I am aghast that anyone working in education wouldn't be.

Any of them would have this sorted out in the space of 48 hours, I'm sure. You aren't working in a 'normal' classroom so your risk assessment should reflect this. You do have your own risk assessment updated regularly, don't you? Who is the person who signs that off? You need to get them on board too.

Original poster

Chocoholic26 · 13/03/2021 19:07

@8dpwoah yes my union is on my side but can’t really do anything as the working from home guidance isn’t compulsory apparently. All councils are on a case by case basis and it seems I’m not in a great enough risk. My risk assessment isn’t great to be honest. It just basically says the same as anyone’s would say, stay 2m away and wear a mask

OP posts:

8dpwoah · 13/03/2021 19:15

Ok that's good although a bit pathetic of them. If you can't physically distance, and can't wear a mask (ASN kids/communication reasons would be good reasons not to) then the control measures in your risk assessment aren't being met? Maybe press that point on Monday with your risk assessor, they have a certain amount of liability/duty of care to ensure the risk assessment is both workable and actually being carried out.

The alternative is to stay in your 2m box at the front and wear your mask and wait for someone else to say this isn't working in the classroom....but I would totally understand if you just went, nah, this is affecting me too much and went to the GP to get you through to Easter. You clearly don't want to do anything other than work your time out but there are so many bad managers in education that this is how they end up making staff feel. I'm lucky to not be in that position but you read about it all the time on here and elsewhere and it makes me so cross!

Original poster

Chocoholic26 · 13/03/2021 19:23

@8dpwoah that’s exactly it, I don’t feel the control measures are being met at all. Urgh, don’t need this stress at all. Fingers crossed something positive happens this week.

OP posts:

GettingItOutThere · 13/03/2021 19:59

honestly, go off sick with stress. Put yourself first, and your unborn child, you will regret it more if anything happens.

I would not say that lightly at all, but our babies are precious

letshopethisonesticks · 17/03/2021 12:51

@Chocoholic26 I've not had any side effects at all.

I'm on low dose aspirin for the pregnancy but this also reassured me against these random blood clot claims against the AZ vax (the one I had).

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