Need advice about work.

[husbandcallsmepickle]

I'm a nursery nurse and due to covid I was off work in August and September (on full pay). 3 weeks ago I started back but working in the kitchen, supporting the cook and preparing the trollies for each room. She sorts the food and I organise drinks, crockery, cutlery etc. I deliver the trollies to each room for breakfast, snack and lunch then collect them, wash everything (first by hand and then through the dishwasher). I'm now 23weeks pregnant and finding it hard work, especially with lots of bending and lifting which I find physically uncomfortable. I've spoken to my manager who helps me out when she can but she's not always available.
The bottom line is this isn't the job I am employed to do and I'm being asked to do something which is making me feel very uncomfortable. I had 2 miscarriages last year so feeling vulnerable and probably over worrying. Really don't know what to do as I can't afford to lose pay if I say I'm not happy about working.

Sorry for the long post but needed to let off steam and would appreciate a virtual handhold as I'm feeling down about the situation.

I have no advice sorry but am sure someone who does will be along soon.
Is there a reason why you've been moved to duties different to the job you're employed to do?

And sorry you are feeling down. I can imagine that the work is tiring. I worked in a kitchen 20 years ago when not pregnant and found it hard then xx

Would you be prepared to do the job you are paid for? Just ask to go back to your contracted role?

Why are you doing a job you’re not contracted to do? Can’t you just do your actual job instead of you’re not happy with this one?

My job is a nursery nurse but due to covid I'm not allowed to work with the children as the risk to pregnant ladies is unknown

Hi OP. Who has said you're not allowed to work with the children? The NHS say you are in the category of "moderate risk", ie clinically vulnerable, but that you should continue to work.

Do you have additional risk factors?

But you agree to your risk assessment, so your options are agree to work with children, accept the alternative role they have offered you, or to leave.

The guidance for working with children when pregnant in childcare settings is here and the relevant section below -

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures#infection-prevention-and-system-of-controls

Staff who are clinically vulnerable
Clinically vulnerable staff can return to settings. While in settings they should follow the sector-specific measures in this guidance to minimise the risks of transmission.

This includes taking particular care to observe good hand and respiratory hygiene, minimising contact and maintaining social distance from other staff in settings. This provides that ideally, adults should maintain a 2 metre distance from others. Where this is not possible avoid close face to face contact and minimise time spent within 1 metre of others. While the risk of transmission between young children and adults is likely to be low, adults should continue to take care to socially distance from other adults including older children and adolescents . People who live with those who are clinically extremely vulnerable or clinically vulnerable can attend the workplace.

Staff who are pregnant
Pregnant women are in the ‘clinically vulnerable’ category. They are generally advised to follow the above advice, which applies to all staff in early years settings. Employers should conduct a risk assessment for pregnant women in line with the Management of Health and Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations 1999.

You should still be able to do your normal job, the risk is unknown but currently no evidence suggests any harm to unborn babies. I haven’t heard of anyone who normally works in a childcare setting being unable to do so while pregnant so I’d look into that with your employer

Surely working with the kids will mean bending and lifting too? Is there an admin role you could do otherwise you can take maternity leave from 29 weeks

I work in a nursery and all our pregnant staff are working with the children with completed risk assessments with changes, such as not greeting parents etc. I was still working in the office last week at 38+6. In second trimester there’s not really any reason not to do your usual role with some extra safety steps in place

@Glitterandunicorns

Hi OP. Who has said you're not allowed to work with the children? The NHS say you are in the category of "moderate risk", ie clinically vulnerable, but that you should continue to work.

Do you have additional risk factors?

It's company policy. The nursery is part of a bigger organisation with hundreds of employees. All pregnant women are in the same position.

Ask them to redo your risk assessment and note the aches and pains you are in. You're work legally have to find you suitable alternative work if you contractual job has been deemed unsafe / no alterations can be put in place.

@PotteringAlong

But you agree to your risk assessment, so your options are agree to work with children, accept the alternative role they have offered you, or to leave.

When I agreed to the alternative role I didn't realise how physical it would be and how uncomfortable it would make me. As I said above, I have brought this up with my manager who is meant to be helping but it's very hit and miss

@ScottishStardust thanks. That's what I hope will happen!

No problem... push the risk assessment, tbh they should be regularly reviewing it since you've been placed in a position on your feet.

@husbandcallsmepickle I'm not really sure why your role has changed?

No setting should be open if it isn't covid safe and this is the only reason they'd move you.

You're entering a room with all the children in, you're handling items the put in their mouth and sneeze on so why can't you just do your actual job?

I'm In Childcare too and I'd not have agreed.

I'm another who doesn't understand. We've had several pregnant Keyworkers at the nursery my DS attends and they're all continuing to do their regular job, there is no reason not to.
Also if you were doing your regular job I imagine it would be much more physical than the one they've gave you.
I think if your pregnancy is causing you that level of immobility your only option would be sick leave and then early Maternity Leave unfortunately.