Hello all.
I’m 23 weeks pregnant and have exhausted all
my entitled sick leave due to being diagnosed with hyperemisis and being signed off sick pretty much since the time I found I was pregnant.
My latest sick leave is due to finish this weekend.
On one hand, as I am now feeling better with the hyperemisis (and pregnancy-wise) and could potentially go to work.
On the other hand, my anxiety has gone up due to the worry of exposing myself, my unborn baby and my elderly parents at home.
I’m also worried that more time off will mean that I get zero pay which I think is contributing to my anxiety.
Hence my question.
I am due to chat with my manager about minimising my exposure on my return to work. The truth is I cannot work from home as I am in a customer facing role and we are not allowed to wfh due to GDPR.
I wanted to know if I am entitled to furlough? I just want to have my facts (and rights?) straight before my chat with my manager, as she can be somewhat intimidating.
Below is what I have seen on:
maternityaction.org.uk/covidmaternityfaqs/
“Your employer must assess the risks and take reasonable action to remove the risks. As pregnant women (at whatever stage of pregnancy) are classed as vulnerable under the Coronavirus Restrictions Regulations your employer must ensure that you can work from home where possible, avoid public transport and keep a 2m distance from others. If it is not possible to avoid the risks by taking such action, your employer must provide suitable alternative work, if available, on the same terms and conditions or suspending you on full pay. The risk assessment must be kept under review throughout your pregnancy and as lockdown restrictions change.
If your employer is temporarily unable to let you work from home or they need more time to make arrangements for you to work from home or take on other suitable alternative work, your employer must suspend you on full pay in the meantime so that you are not put at risk.”
I cannot get through to maternityaction due to the high demand they face.
Can anyone else shed some light on this please?
I’m sorry for the long post. Many thanks