Any school staff worried about returning to work pregnant

[Rosa986]

With schools reopening, is there anyone pregnant members worried about returning to school? I know I am!

www.gov.uk/government/publications/preparing-for-the-wider-opening-of-schools-from-1-june/planning-guide-for-primary-schools That’s the link from PP. Curiously the line about pregnant women is missing from the general school guidelines, despite the rest of the paragraph being there word for word...

I am still confused as it says pregnant women are only shielded if they have an underlying heart condition. However, the Unions are telling us not to come in?

@newmumtobe66 The government's own guidance says pregnant women should work from home, or be given an alternative role where we can maintain 2m distance.

That advice has now been withdrawn.

@newmumtobe66 where did you read that the advice has been withdrawn? It is still there on the govt website

If you go in the gov website, it's all in the documentation and says in writing that pregnant women should work from home. Theres no reading between the lines etc it's there in black and white

If you are being asked to work, I would just send them a copy of the guidance.

I have stated this, but sounds like they wont accept this for women under 28 weeks. So I have to go back to work.

@newmumtobe66, if you're not happy then I'd get your union involved

Hiya, wanted to update you that due to early pregnancy, I have been told to work from home. Is this the same for other school staff? xxx

I'm in an awkward position and would appreciate your thoughts.

I'm a teacher on a fixed term contract and 9 weeks pregnant. My contract ends at the end of this academic year. The school is in the process of working out whether they have a job to offer me from September. They do not know I'm pregnant. I've been put on a rota to teach from 8th June. My husband thinks I should tell the head. If I do, I am fairly sure I won't be offered a job from September, which will leave me inelegible for any maternity pay. Baby is due late December. Shoud I let the head know? Other pregnant women have been rotad only to work from home.

I am also on a fixed term contract and pregnant. There were 2 staff members on fixed contracts (both to cover 2 maternity leaves, ironically). I'm due Sept and haven't been on the key worker provision rota and also been WFH since March. The other teacher on a fixed cobtract has had her contract extended, I am being dropped.

They haven't yet given me the reason for dismissal (which is what it is) and they'd be stupid to say out loud it is because I'm pregnant. But, I can't think of any other reason.

I don't believe they are allowed to discriminate but unfortunately, we all know not all organisations follow the rules. It's a really tricky one you are in. I suppose it depends if you are comfortable with being in school (children won't always following the social distancing rules, kids being kids). That is the reason my employer told me to work from home as they couldn't guarantee children would follow 2 m rule. Let me know how you get on. xxx

@Rosa986 What is your role and are you with a Union? I'm a teacher, 24+3 and my headteacher has told me to keep working from home doing my SENCo role from here. She's been really good and hasn't had me in school since the week before lockdown. The government guidance is that anyone in the vulnerable group should work from home where possible, and if not they should ensure that the 2m distancing will be enforced and to change your role if not. Depending on the age of the children you'll be working with, i very much doubt they will be able to ensure 2m distancing in the classroom so it might be that they have to reallocate you if they want you in school.

My head sent an email last week explaining how they plan to open and also an updated medical list for any staff that can't return when open and pregnant is still on the list so your head shouldn't be expecting you back, it works out well for me as my school first day back if all goes ahead is 4th June which is the date my maternity leave starts good in one way but sad in another as I'm a one to one and I won't get to say goodbye to the child and class I work with for the last 8 years as they will all be leaving for secondary school, I'm hoping by July they will be able to have there end of year party or some kind of celebration so I can get to say goodbye

I’m am 19+4 and I will be returning to teach. My head has made it clear that I can work until 28 weeks and won’t get paid if I don’t. I also feel a duty to be there for the children. The groups are small - 9 only- 2m apart, I’ll have the oldest primary children but it’s still a worry. We have PPE provided not NHS standard but it’s something. I’m feeling ok seeing the posts on here make me worry more because I’ve maintained that I’m healthy and if I keep myself a good distance away I’ll be ok...is that an unreasonable thought?

I'm a 1-1 in a primary school as well as being the learning mentor. I have been working from home since March. By 1st June I will be 24 weeks. I've told my headteacher that I'm happy to come in if needed and have been happy to go in this whole time but he won't put me on the rota lol. He has stated the whole time that he would much prefer me to be at home where I am safe unless he gets completely short for the rota.

@Prettylittlelady I think your head is being completely unreasonable - the guidance issued clearly says that pregnant staff (it does not specify any gestation, just 'pregnant women') should be allowed to work from home or, worst case scenario, in an adapted role within school that will provide some level of shielding. I would be straight on to your union, given that your head has said you will not be paid unless you are in school. Totally out of order to say that. I think that you can go in if you choose to do so, but the advise is quite heavily emphasising that working from home is best. I'm 27 weeks and my head has told me not to even think about setting foot in the school building.

@Prettylittlelady I had felt the same - mainly because I'm dying to get back to something resembling normality and see the children and my colleagues. I said to my husband that I'd just go in and be really diligent with hygiene and distancing. He's a doctor and wasn't happy with that. His concern is the lack of information that we have on the risk of Birth abnormalities or health implications for mothers or newborns. Now that he's said that I can't get it out of my head and don't feel comfortable taking a risk.

Any teachers going back tomorrow?

Yes I am.

My school was planed to open on Thursday we have now had an email from our governing body postponing to Monday now, we are still currently open tomorrow for key worker and vulnerable children today was an insert day

Hi everyone, not a teacher but a nanny. I was furloughed when lockdown happened, but was told to return to work a few weeks ago which I did. They planned to put me back on furlough when I reached 28 weeks (I'm 21 now) but with the new guidelines the government have said the cut off for people being furloughed is now 10th June , I'll only be 22 weeks by then. So I'm waiting for my boss to tell me whether I'll be furloughed from 10th June or not at all and will have to work throughout. X

I hope you don’t mind me jumping on your message/thread. I’m in a similar position myself now and was wondering how you moved forwards please?

I’ve just found out that I’m 4/5 weeks and I’m due into the hub next week. It is my first pregnancy so we haven’t told anyone just yet, and I’m in two minds about whether to inform work or not as it’s such early days. Any info/advice anyone could give would be a huge help x

@2020N
I told my headteacher at 5 weeks and ask them to keep it confidential.

@2020N I was the same a few weeks ago, was due in on the rota the week after I found out at 4 weeks. It was a bit weird telling my Head before my mum but I couldnt see any other choice, my OH wouldn't contemplate me going in!