Employer not taking pregnancy seriously

[fioney25]

Hello,

So I told my line manager that I was pregnant last week (I'm 15 weeks). I also gave my manager a written letter outlining my due date; when I'd like to take maternity leave etc...

It's been a week and I've not had any acknowledgement of my pregnancy and I've not had any risk assessment yet. I've chased it up with him but he said he's dealing with it and to bear with him...

We don't have a HR department, it's outsourced to an external HR company. Could this be the hold up? Just conscious the company are stalling when surely this should be a priority? Just not sure what to do next...

Thanks in advance for any replies. Any experienced welcomed too x

I didn’t receive a risk assessment until 20 weeks and the most my manager said about my pregnancy when I informed her was that I was entitled to time off for midwife appointments. Do you work in a job where you’re using hazardous chemicals, heavy lifting, on your feet a lot etc? If not there’s not any need for a risk assessment

Depending on your job a risk assessment is not always needed.

He doesn't need to do anything paperwork wise until you provide evidence of your pregnancy with your MAT form.

He can't provide information about pay etc as he doesn't have it yet.

Are there areas of your work that you consider impact on your pregnancy and worry you? or is it just you expected something in writing?

What kind of job do you do, does it involve any significant risks? Is there anything specific you're concerned about?

Apart from a risk assessment (which may or may not be urgent depending on your role) they don't actually have to do anything.

Is there something else you want them to do?

Hey,

Congrats on your pregnancy!

My company were the same, we outsource our HR and it took ages for them to sit down and do a risk assessment as they were waiting on bits to come back. I work in an office so i wasn't worried as nothing here that could cause any harm.
I only received my official letter from work 2 weeks ago, i'm now 32+4 days and they knew i was pregnant from 5 weeks due to previous miscarriage and an operation i had to cancel.

They have only just interviewed for my roll yesterday and i have 21 days left at work!
Is there something you are doing in your job that can be a risk to your pregnancy?

I’m 26 weeks and not had or asked for a risk assessment. I’m a teacher -so some risk but not much. I guess it depends on your job role?

What is it you want them to do? Yes a RA is good practice but as PP have asked, is there something which makes this urgent?

I dont think they have to carry out a risk assessment specifically for you. A general risk assessment should be in place with general pregnancy specific risks being looked at. Are there issues in your job that could affect your pregnancy?

What acknowledgement do you want? Your employer is supposed to write to you within 28 days to confirm maternity start/end dates, etc

www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/how-to-claim

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/health-and-safety-during-pregnancy-and-on-return-to-work/