Office being painted...

[Kate123cl]

So we have a decorator come down to our office every 6 months or so to just tidy up scratched paint, varnish woods etc. And I'm 12 weeks pregnant today. We have windows in the office but none are near where I sit and some of the fumes are really strong! My manager and people above my manager are aware that I'm pregnant but aren't in the office for a while! Anyone had anything similar? Would it harm my baby?

Hmmm I think advice is to avoid painting - possibly due to the fumes? Any chance you can change to a seat by an open window? I wouldn't like this either and I've been pretty blase about most things so far...

@surreygirl1987 That's a good idea being close to a window. I'm going to suggest it! I've been pretty laid back too up until now lol!

When I was pregnant with my first we had paint fumes come through the a.c. (They were painting lines on the road outside). It made me feel so sick I had to stop working and leave the room. I nearly went home. I can't say how harmful it is (might depend on the paint used) but if it's affecting you, you should be allowed to leave until they've finished, if necessary at home on full pay or elsewhere in the building of there's somewhere unaffected. You should not suffer through it, leave if you feel you need to.

I think it's fumes from solvent-based paints and varnishes that are riskier (as opposed to, say water-based emulsion). I'd move desks to be near a window or leave the office while the fumes are strong - can you work from home?

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-paint-fumes-affect-my-unborn-baby/

Thank you all! I think I'll probably just move closer to a window and if it gets too strong I'll just go home! @LeeMiller No, I can't work from home unfortunately! Front of house position..