Return to work after working from home

[Stef92]

Hi all, just looking for some advice. I've been unofficially told that I will be expected back in the office a week on Monday after working from home due to Covid-19 since March as I am expected to train a new member of staff. I have no problem with working with my colleagues in our office but we share facilities with other offices (kitchen and toilets) and from experience the people in these other offices aren't the most hygienic - they do not clear up when they have their lunch and some of them don't even flush when they have gone to the loo 🤮🤮 I will be 11+4 on the day I will supposedly return to work and had planned on informing them when I hit 12 weeks. Should I tell my employer when I'm officially asked to return to work next week that I am pregnant?

These seem like concerns regardless of pregnancy so maybe check if your workplace already plans to address them.

I would also think about what would make you comfortable to return to office work, such as to do short periods in office (eg. Only morning or afternoon so you don't have to share kitchen facilities) and then propose that to your management rather than asking them to come up with solutions.

Whether or not you tell them why you are asking is really up to you, but don't feel pushed to tell them early. They have a legal requirement to make the workplace covid-safe for everyone, and what you describe doesnt sound like they have yet.

The covid risk assessment should have reviewed the toilet and kitchen facilities, cleanliness and social distancing... For example we only allow 1 person in toilet area at time, have to clean up after ourselves (audited) , no hand towels just disposable towels (I use one to open door to exit after cleaning hands). Same in kitchen... No dishcloths, max 1 person, no shared cutlery, no making drinks for others, clean up after use...

However as you are pregnant once you inform them they must do a pregnancy RA... Ours now gave an extra covid section... I think you should tell them ASAP as we are individually looking at what can do for pregnant workers as others more vulnerable ... In many cases it's just to help them feel less anxious... But may involve more home working, different working times, own office etc

Thank you both! I think I'll contact my midwife once I have heard works plans and take it from there on whether to tell them a week early.