Are there guidelines re pregnant women going back to work?

[KnobwithaK]

Just wondering if anyone has seen official guidance (and also what other employers are saying) after last night's announcement?

I work for a large public sector organisation.. have been working from home, but that's only really possible because my team mates have been going into the office. There's about 30% of the work that can't be done from home so other team members are taking on more responsibility which is obviously tough for them and I hugely appreciate it. That said - I really don't want to go back!

The guidance was ridiculously unclear and didn’t even mention pregnant women or the vulnerable, what a shambles! I’m wondering the same as you tbh.

It's completely unclear and stressing me out a bit.

I did like Philip Scofield's rant on Good Morning 😂

Because we are in the vulnerable group I would assume the “if you can’t work from home go to work” slogan doesn’t apply to us. I believe it was aimed at construction workers and manufacturers.

It’s down to your employer when they want you back but I would have thought most employers will stick to the 12 week isolation period :) if you are more than 28 weeks gestation then you definitely won’t be going back to work anytime soon as you are in the highest risk group.

thankfully, my work are taking this quite seriously. i'm due in september and my work have said i wont be back in the office until i come back from Maternity leave now next year

@Alychloe have you seen the 28 week thing on any official websites? I've read about it on here but never seen it on the government or RCOG sites

@rocknrosie that must be a relief! I'm due late July and really hope not to go back but we'll see

I hope this afternoons clarification cover expectations for both the formally shielded group, and also for the over-70s and other 'flu jab' type vulnerable . Both for work and for all other trips beyond the home.

Useful if it included a consideration of the cohabitants of the shielded - especially school age DC of shielded parent. Isolation within the home isn't likely to work well at all (esp if single parent) and has only really worked so far because schools are off

Thanks @nether I didn't realise there were due to be clarifications this afternoon.

Useful if it included a consideration of the cohabitants of the shielded yeah, definitely. DP is classed as "very vulnerable" which is another reason I don't want to go back. Wont be holding my breath for this though

@KnobwithaK on the RCOG website it states If you are in your third trimester (more than 28 weeks pregnant) you should be particularly attentive to social distancing and minimising any contact with others. You can’t minimise contact with others in an office so you would have to stay home.

For anyone in healthcare RCOG states - For pregnant women from 28 weeks’ gestation, or with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease at any gestation, a more precautionary approach is advised. Women in this category should be recommended to stay at home.

I read somewhere about the 28 weeks and being in the highest risk group - but of course now I’m looking I can’t find it! I’ll get back to you if I can!

Thanks @Alychloe that's really helpful. So long as the RCOG guidelines don't change I think they'll find it difficult to send us back 🤞

I am in Scotland so we have a wee delay on this but I work for a national and global company. They are looking at June 15th before they look at anyone returning and then it will only be the roles that can't work from home.

I expect that they will not have me or any pregnant ladies anywhere near the office. They just won't want to take the risk especially when I can work effectively from home.

I count myself very lucky to be in that category. Whole thing is a nightmare.
I saw pics of the London tube packed this morning with maybe half of people wearing masks.😥

I'm quite nervous about returning to work also. I am 20 weeks now and due in September and my work haven't mentioned a set date to return to the office but my boss has mentioned a few times how she hopes it isnt much longer until we are all back! I would be 24 weeks by the time the initial 12 week stay at home period is up and they say the risk is higher from 28 weeks upwards, dont see the point going back for 4 weeks to potentially have to work from home again as i have already been doing effectively since this all began.

If you are part of a union, they might be able to help. I'm a teacher and the NEU has some good guidance for pregnant women.

I’m very confused with all this. My OH just downloaded the 50 page document the government have done. It states that vulnerable groups such as the over 70’s and pregnant women should stay home and avoid face to face contact. No mention of pregnant women with heart conditions as had been mentioned before or being over 28 weeks, just ‘pregnant women’. I’m very concerned as I work in a nursery so no chance of being able to work from home

@Morganlove yeah, I saw that. I took it to mean that if you're vulnerable or highly vulnerable there is basically no change.

What are you doing for work now? Are you furloughed?

@MissHoney85 sadly no union as such but we do have a similar organisation and agree it's a good idea to contact them. Thanks.

@KnobwithaK I’ve got my ‘12 week’ scan tomorrow (I’ll be 11+3) so I’m going to ask while I’m there for clarity. Failing that I’ll message my midwife to see. Yes, I’m furloughed at the moment, work don’t know about my situation yet

Am i missing a point somewhere? I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant and never really had the opportunity to leave, none of my managers told me to do that but they have been checking up on me. To be honest i couldn't afford to either as i know i would only get SSP for leave and not furlough! It must differ from employer to employer but i feel i may have pulled the short straw? 😒

Also confused about this!

@Oldestchild90s what sort of company do you work for? Most companies sent all pregnant women home on full pay for 12 weeks from March 20th - so most of us will be returning 16th June. The only pregnant women I know are still being made to work are healthcare workers for the NHS.

I have strong opinions that no pregnant woman should be working through this until the virus is contained. I am a pharmacist and must go back on June 16th but I will be fighting against it! It causes so much unnecessary anxiety for us!

@Oldestchild90s I really feel for you! I think it depends on your employer and whether you can effectively work from home, but definitely worth pushing to see. Why would they not furlough you? Speaking to your union might be a good start or maybe speak to a as

www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

@Alychloe feel your pain.. not a pharmacist but a dispenser, does that mean the rules would be different for me? Honestly, work has never been so bloody hard it's awful at the moment as people are just horrific.. the workload is ridiculous too, and the pregnancy on top makes it 10 x worse.

@KnobwithaK Thanks tor that. Well they basically told me it's my own decision if i want to go or not but it would be the standard sick pay, and with my other half being furloughed anyway i just couldn't afford it. I know what people are thinking, me and baby come first and i know that but if you can't afford to pay the bills what do you do? I've been in this tricky position for ages 😭

@Oldestchild90s Have a look at the "Health and Safety adjustments" section here

maternityaction.org.uk/covidmaternityfaqs/

Might help?

I am really angry on your behalf!

@Oldestchild90s You 100% should have been sent home from 20th March! How awful! I can’t imagine having to work in the dispensary at a time like this! I’ve had all my team telling me how stressful it’s been! I would at least hope you have had a risk assessment and your company have allowed you to work away from patients and in a secluded upstairs area?! In two weeks time you should be sent home regardless because you are 28 weeks pregnant. The link I’ve attached explains this, I would show this to your employer ASAP.

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2020-04-27-occupational--health--advice--for--employers-and--pregnant-women.pdf

I'm so confused!
The 50 page document puts us in the category of avoiding social contact as much as possible, but that we do not need to be shielded.

It also links to the made of 'moderately' vulnerable (including pregnant women) and this says only to leave home in limited circumstances, one of which travel to work if you cannot work from home.

I'm a primary school teacher so definitely cannot work from home.
Not sure how to fight my case when the guidance is so unclear!!

Who else is in a non work from home post?

I’m a nurse and have been off since before the lockdown, I think I’m being expected to return to work too which I’m super worried about as I’ll be in patient facing role!

The guidance says

“It remains the case that some people are more clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. These include those aged over 70, those with specific chronic pre-existing conditions and pregnant. These clinically vulnerable people should continue to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their households, but do not need to be shielded”

How can I minimise contact with patients when that’s my job?!