"Stop non-essential contact" - including work?

[hmfair54]

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and wasn't feeling too anxious about coronavirus until yesterday. Are you other mums to be including going to work in the governments new statement about stopping non-essential contact?

I work for a small company (70 employees) and travel alone in my car every day to get there. My office only has 3 people in it. My job role means that it's unlikely that I'll be able to work from home, so am I still okay to go in or would you not risk it? I'll obviously take a hit in my wages which isn't ideal but if it's for the health of my baby, I'll make it work.

I'm going to speak to my boss and HR about it today but wanted to see what the rest of you are thinking of doing first?

Stay safe everyone

Hiya, I've been about as stressed and worried as I've ever been in my life since 5.00 yesterday. The advice was so unclear. I've slept shit and had a pounding headache. I'm gonna go to work today but with the view that this might be my last day. They dont even know I'm pregnant.

Also, have 2 other kids who I will need to take to school and pick up and who will bring me germs home. If I'm honest I cant really see the point in me self isolating while schools are still open.

It's all a big confusing and very worrying mess.

I would go in today and speak to your boss x

The hairdresser I use is pregnant and she's just emailed to say she is no longer working.

@bingandflop email your children’s school they might say if you chose (It is not a real choice) to self isolate then they might let you self isolate along side your children until a plan is made. That is what I was emailed last night from the school attendance officer. They are going to make a plan for after Easter. That is all I know. I’m going to ask for the study packs they said they prepared last week for just in case.

@bingandflop just keep your kids home too, it’s your choice.

@hmfair54 I’d say to your work that if they can’t let you work from home they should suspend you on full pay.

@bingandflop @itbemay1 @IsolationMum

Thanks for replying, these are certainly worrying times! I've spoken to my work this morning and they have said they'd keep a close eye on any updates re. pregnancy and sort something out as and when necessary as I've said I would still like to come in if I can. They've said home working would be possible too which is a massive weight off my shoulders!

I'll see how things go in the next few days though I'm definitely anticipating that the government will put the self-isolation measures in place soon so this may well be my last week at work.

I read the NHS website this morning. It says at risk groups will be contacted on Mon 23rd. The website will be updated today so that could change I guess.

Screenshot from nhs page

They've put these measures in now @hmfair54 - the guidance was published yesterday.

@Delbelleber - that was for specific individuals who have complex health needs, they won't be contacting every pregnant woman/over 70/high risk group, they have published general guidance for them.

I’m very newly pregnant and I’m so anxious over this. I’m self employed so concerned that if I stop work now it could some time before I’m earning again. Not to mention the affect on my business. I just don’t know what to do.

@bingandflop I work in a school and we are saying it’s up to parents if they want to keep their kids off school to self isolate. They can’t stop you.

@IsolationMum Sorry, I probably should've been a bit clearer, I meant that they would put a mandatory isolation period in place (for any contact whatsoever, a bit like Italy). At the moment it's all a bit vague, not helpful for a worrier like me haha.

@Pineappletree33 my heart goes out to anyone who's self-employed and those who work in hospitality/care industries at the moment. It's worrying enough being pregnant and in a job with a guaranteed wage at the end of the month so I can't begin to understand how you must be feeling. I'll cross my fingers for you and your business, hopefully the virus will have a minimal impact.

I was planning on going to work today but was informed last night I am off work indefinitely! I think it was too vague though and alot of employers aren't sure what to do

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

@bingandflop I could have written your post myself. I also have primary school DC so I find it futile self isolating whilst the schools are still open. If they close the schools for 12 weeks then fair enough, otherwise I will still have to take them to school.

I’ve also had a pounding headache and didn’t sleep well last night. Didn’t feel overly concerned about coronavirus until yesterday, now I’m in full blown panic mode.

I'm currently on annual leave but I have another colleague who is pregnant who has messaged me to say they are sending her home indefinitely. I'm waiting for an email myself to say I can't go back on monday. I agree the advice can seem unclear at the moment however I think in the next few days it will be more certain and and direct. At the end of the day employers have a duty of care which they must adhere to. Hopefully we'll all be clear about it soon ❤