Work during covid and pregnant

[Rcfm]

hi there, I have asthma so Ive been working from home since 17th of March so for about 16 weeks and during my time out of my workplace which is customer facing I fell pregnant and I’m now 14 weeks. I don’t have severe asthma so didn’t get a letter to shield I was the category below shielding but classed as having an underlying health condition. Ever since finding out I’m pregnant I’ve been extra cautious anyway and I haven’t really been out much.
So I then got a call from work on Friday to say I’ve to go back to work on Monday, initially I thought that’s good a little bit of normality in my life again then when I came off the call I began to think about it and thought can that be right enough as having an underlying health condition and pregnant both of which fall into the vulnerable category. While reading up every website is saying pregnant women both with or without underlying heath condition employers should do their best to ensure we work from home where possible to reduce the risk and exposure, which I can, and if not possible risk assess and possibly do a different job for the time being.
Sooo really I’m just asking should I bring this up with my work?? I’m a little confused because the guidance states that but they told me it’s fine to come back.
Part of me would be looking forward to getting back to a normal working life but then am I putting me and my baby at risk ???

I was wondering this too as found out I'm 7 weeks with twins - my work isn't expecting anyone to really be back in the office before October due to schools/childcare still being closed and then it won't ever be full time as we can choose to be agile working for part of the week but I do have the odd client/site visit to do.

I read the updated guidance last week and it basically said its a moderate risk only and pregnant women should just take the relevant precautions of staying alert and practicing social distancing which most workplaces are doing anyway? I'll also drive into work rather than take public transport. So I've taken that as I don't need to be shielding

(Which is fine as I don't want to tell my employer yet)

Awww twins congratulations that’s lovely.
I’m just not to sure what to take from what I’ve been told from work to what I’ve been reading and also from people I know that are pregnant. A relative is 25 weeks pregnant and works in a restaurant, she’s been told not to go back but then I’ve also seen from 28 weeks pregnant further extra care should be taken so I wonder if her works just thinking she is close to the 28 mark so just reduce the risk altogether? Aww I have nooo idea I’m so confused by it all😂
I work in a bank so it’s been open throughout and like I said I would like to be back to feel normal but I’m just feeling very anxious as my role is customer facing all day but I suppose there is masks, gloves etc there for a reason and I’m sure all my colleagues are doing their best to social distance but it’s just customers may not be as stringent with it like you witness in supermarkets😂
I think il see how the first few weeks go.

Have you been in touch with your company HR or Occ health dept? They may have specific guidance for pregnant employees and there is the Royal College of Obstetrics guidance which is updated frequently as more research and data comes out. The guidance from my understanding is the slightly increased risk is in the third trimester and prior to that strict social distancing, hand hygiene etc. IME (I’m 36 weeks) I worked in the hospital in a clinical patient facing role up until 28 weeks then moved to a WFH role up until my annual/mat leave starting a couple of weeks ago as per my employers HR guideline. I also found my colleagues very protective of me and very respectful of the social distancing, PPE, hand sanitising around me knowing I was pregnant which was nice.

Congratulations on your pregnancy 😁 I'm 21 weeks and am expected to go back to patient facing (nurse) at the end of the month. From August even the 'vunerable' category have been told they don't need to shield anymore so unfortunately that means back to work for the pregnant ones too.

As it still currently stands it's work from home 'if possible' from 28 weeks so I'll actually being off again 4 weeks later anyway 🤷 but will honestly happy to return to normality for a bit!

I've read a few threads on here where employers are allowing their pregnant staff to remain from home anyway so always worth a chat.

Seems like every employer is different! I’m a mental health nurse and my line manager has told me to work from home now until I go on maternity leave. I’m only 19 weeks. It’s sad but I appreciate it.

OP, I’m sure with all the measures put in place you’ll be fine to return. You can always consider going off again when you hit your third trimester. All depends how things pan out in autumn and winter I guess.

Hi @Rcfm I've just found out I'm pregnant so obviously really early doors but another girl in my team found out she was pregnant 2 months ago and doesn't have the option to work from home. We also work in a bank and have been open throughout. I'm not a Doctor but my understanding was that there wasn't any evidence of increased risk when pregnant, they just put it on the list as a precaution. I'm not sure what bank you work for but at the bank I work at they have screens up everywhere and social distancing is adhered to throughout the branch I work in, customers adhere to what you make a condition, if somebody doesn't we've been told we can ask them to leave. As you have underlying medical conditions it may be worth discussing with HR if you are uncomfortable going back to the office before you go on Mat leave but companies do not have an obligation to let everyone work from home if they need the staff in order to run the business but the current climate isn't business as usual so they will probably make exceptions. One girl in my office told HR it gave her anxiety getting the train to work and so has worked from home the last 4months even though nobody else in the branch has 🤷🏾‍♀️