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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pregnant paramedic - not allowed to do my job

42 replies

nadgersbadgers · 21/01/2022 07:53

Yes I've posted this in employment issues - you nest of vipers, please help me. AIBU? Because I feel I'm being discriminated against because I'm pregnant. The decision has been taken from my hands and seems very little information will be disseminated to me from V senior management other than "sorry".

I'm nearly 15 weeks - told work last week that I am pregnant. They stood me down from my shifts over the weekend awaiting a risk assessment. All got signed off and I was due in work on Tuesday - only to get a call to say stood down again while an "issue" gets checked.

Today I emailed the general manager of my area to ask if any update and they replied "could you be happy doing some admin for me".

I asked "am I not allowed to return to my substantive patient facing role"

To which his reply is "no, due to COVID risk assessment"

.... I've not seen this RA but asked to, also asked if I can appeal. See I've had COVID and all 3 vaccines. I'm not scared of catching it - I didn't when my children had it last week.

I want to remain front line. I want to work. I do not want to do admin (which there will be very little of, from home) as I'm struggling mentally I need to work and be out of t he house and doing my job I've trained to do. Being pregnant doesn't effect that. I have a force 8 fitted respirator mask - I could wear a vent hood if they prefer but I want to do my job.

Where do I stand? Legally?

Should add this has big financial implications for me as I work contractually part time (23.5 hrs a week) to fit in with when I have secure child care but I also offer up and do at least 12 hours per week additional / more as abs whwn I can. I've already missed 5 OT shifts due to stand down while they did the RA and I have nearly 80 hrs annual leave still to take before March - during which I was planning on working - to earn more £ for when my mat pay is calculated.

OP posts:
Recycledblonde · 21/01/2022 07:55

In our trust you are put on light duties during pregnancy, not just because of covid. Normally it’s office based or telephone triage roles.

Original poster
nadgersbadgers · 21/01/2022 07:56

@Recycledblonde you don't have to though - in my trust there's a risk assessment and you're allowed to remain doing your job and they have to make reasonable adjustments for you to make it safer.

Except not now due to COVID apparently.

OP posts:
hugr · 21/01/2022 07:58

[quote nadgersbadgers]@Recycledblonde you don't have to though - in my trust there's a risk assessment and you're allowed to remain doing your job and they have to make reasonable adjustments for you to make it safer.

Except not now due to COVID apparently. [/quote]
But the reasonable adjustments are often moving to a different area of the Trust for many people, depending on the risk.

Slayduggee · 21/01/2022 07:58

My friends a paramedic. They put pregnant women on light duties as soon as they find out they are pregnant. Paramedics are easy targets for assault and they is no way they could protect pregnant paramedic from that on front lien duties. It is the law to do a pregnancy risk assessment for all pregnant woman.

IncompleteSenten · 21/01/2022 07:58

A risk assessment isn't discrimination. Your employers have a legal duty of care.

Tbh I'd be less worried about covid and more worried about a pregnant woman going into situations where she could be attacked.

They want you to be safe. Well, tbh it's normally that they don't want to get sued if something happened to you or your baby as a result of them failing to do a risk assessment.

If you don't agree with the risk assessment then perhaps talk to acas and see where you stand.

Eyerollsausageroll · 21/01/2022 07:59

Can you not rotate into control as a clinical support desk para, or triage para or even telephone dispatcher to use your clinical skills just not directly patient facing rather than doing a bit of admin?
I suppose it depends on the size of your service and the roles they offer.
Our service also removes pregnant staff from direct duties. I have known a few that have undertaken a halo role at a hospital sits as a alternative, still pt facing but without being on a moving vehicle / in the public arena?

AtLeastPretendToCare · 21/01/2022 07:59

If you’re in a union I would be straight in the phone.

Emily199034 · 21/01/2022 08:00

I'm in a different field but I have also been put on light duties now. It's annoying and boring compared to my normal role, but they are just trying to keep me and the baby safe. Which is the main thing.

AnotherCupOfTeaDear · 21/01/2022 08:00

They have made their decision to keep you and your baby safe not to penalise you
Speak to your union but I doubt you'll be insured if you persist.

RainyDayWellySocks · 21/01/2022 08:00

I used to work for an ambulance service and we had some clinicians train to come and support call takers in the control room while pregnant. It might be worth getting in touch and asking if that's an option for you. You could do overtime and extra shifts through that. Patient facing means risk of covid, assault, sustained cpr, heavy lifting they are probably trying to look out for you as well as protecting themselves. Best of luck it sounds stressful.

Gardeningtipsneeded · 21/01/2022 08:05

Do OT shifts get counted for Mat pay? I know your unsocials do but not your bank shifts? You sound very knowledgeable so I am sure you’ve checked but that’s not what happens at our trust. They come on 2 different pay slips specifically.

Original poster
nadgersbadgers · 21/01/2022 08:08

@Gardeningtipsneeded nope it's all on one slip here 😊

OP posts:
Teddybar · 21/01/2022 08:12

The perils of relying on overtime for more money really, paramedics here are also put on different duties when pregnant. You might be happy to take the personal risk, but as an employer they aren't happy to take the professional risk which they are legally bound to take reasonable steps to ensure employees are kept safe.

tealandteal · 21/01/2022 08:15

As others have said is there another role that is not just admin that you could do? Working in control or another clinical role such as IPC, safeguarding etc? At what point would you usually go into light duties in your trust? Find out from your HR when your qualifying period for your maternity pay is, most likely in a month or 2 so you have a little time to figure this out.

hugr · 21/01/2022 08:20

@Gardeningtipsneeded

Do OT shifts get counted for Mat pay? I know your unsocials do but not your bank shifts? You sound very knowledgeable so I am sure you’ve checked but that’s not what happens at our trust. They come on 2 different pay slips specifically.
Only if you are doing them. If OP isn't doing OT shifts in her qualifying week her mat pay will not include them.
hugr · 21/01/2022 08:21

And sorry just to clarify - if OP is doing OT/Bank shifts in her qualifying week then these will count towards mat pay.

RoomOfRequirement · 21/01/2022 08:25

Sadly, I do think they're right. Even pre-covid pregnant paramedics were given non-front line roles to work due to the risk to their job. It's definitely not discrimination to protect you and your baby.

The actual issue seems to stem from you missing out on OT, which sadly is the risk you take when you choose not to work a FT contract. They won't take this on board as a reason.

PinkMoon22 · 21/01/2022 08:26

I do agree with them I'm afraid.
I know it's frustrating on your part but for the safety of yourself and your baby it's best.
Not just for Covid reasons.

Original poster
nadgersbadgers · 21/01/2022 08:29

I need to add the COVID risk assessment they base this on was written March 2020.

There's been much more written and advice since from the royal college of midwives etc

OP posts:
Original poster
nadgersbadgers · 21/01/2022 08:30

And I remained on the road too 29 weeks in my last pregnancy perfectly happily.

OP posts:
Crustypiepants · 21/01/2022 08:33

It's for safety reasons. They are being responsible employees. When I was pregnant with one of mine , I was not offered light duties and barely any risk assessment was made. I was assaulted doing front line social work duties and it wasn't much fun. Enjoy it as you can always go back on the frontline after mat leave. Take care.

thenewduchessoflapland · 21/01/2022 08:33

Are you NHS?

There's loads of none front line self employed work in the private sector where you can work in static medical with a private medical unit/ambo at events/on film/TV sets etc and it's better money too.

PinkMoon22 · 21/01/2022 08:33

By all means ask them and explain everything but I don't think they'll be able to back down from a RA.
they are only doing it for yours and baby's best interests not to be twats as I'm sure they'd much rather you be out front line

TyrannosaurusRegina · 21/01/2022 08:35

What would you do in the case of an assaultive patient, would you just step back and let the other paramedic deal with it if you're pregnant? As obviously you wouldn't be able to intervene. It sounds as though they are trying to keep both you and the colleague who you are on duty with, safe.

hugr · 21/01/2022 09:05

@nadgersbadgers

And I remained on the road too 29 weeks in my last pregnancy perfectly happily.
Things have changed in the last couple of years. Employers are incredibly cautious around pregnant employees now. Im a senior nurse, was pregnant in Dec 2020 and my boss put me on WFH 4 days a week and the day I was in I was to sit in the office and field phone calls except for in urgent situations. I got "pinged" going to tesco and she told me I shouldn't have been going out at all!
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