Working from home at 28 weeks?

[kayde12]

Hi all,

Is anyone clear on this? It seems like at one point the guidance was suggesting this and now I’m unsure and can’t seem to find any clear details.

I’m a teacher and currently 15 weeks pregnant and just planning ahead.

I’m also dreading another lockdown; though it seems that schools will be open.

Not the same as I'm a nurse however we've been told that the working from home rule no longer applies as there is no longer thought to be an increase risk after 28 weeks and therefore we should work in "low risk pathways"
Then on the other hand they say it's managers discretion 🤷🏾‍♀️

All of this was 2 weeks ago though so I'm sure things will change again......

I've just finished work now, almost 37 weeks. Public sector frontline role. No adaptions were made.

I agree that there was very clear guidance until literally a few days ago when it disappeared from the royal college of obs and gynae website. My employer (an nhs trust) is being no help either and seem to have no guidance for their staff.

@TravelGem do you know where to find a copy of this change in guidance?

Hi. I'm a teacher and am 18 weeks pregnant. My midwife has told me I should not be in school from 28 weeks and I have communicated that with the head. The NEU supports this position so you could always seek further clarification from them if you are a member.

This guidance is outdated. My school have told me business as usual, even after 28 weeks. Concerning times.

Guidance states that pregnant women with heart or lung conditions should stay at home after 28 weeks but that pregnant women without underlying health conditions can go to work after 28 weeks but should pay strict attention to social distancing. So unless you have an underlying health condition, your midwife isn't correct about the current guidance and I'd be surprised if unions are following guidance that isn't current.

It isn’t possible to adhere to social distancing in schools so what then?

The RCOG guidance is quite clear that you should only continue working in a public facing role after 28 weeks if your employer can take steps to ensure your risk is minimised. I don’t see how that can be done in school without social distancing and without masks on the children.

I'm a primary teacher, 33 weeks pregnant and have been working from home since 28 weeks.

I had to present an argument to the head teacher, using the RCOG guidance which said that social distancing would need to be maintained after 28 weeks. Because that is not possible in school, the school could not manage the risk or guarantee my safety.

I found it difficult to advocate for myself in this because (as I've heard many teachers saying) we don't WANT to be at home and would far rather be in school and busy. However, after being in at the start of term it was clear that there would be no way to contain outbreaks and I wouldn't feel safe. As soon as I made my position clear and made it clear what I wanted, the head teacher and the leadership of the multi academy trust were supportive.

@GanderousGoose it is to with whether social distancing can be adequately maintained and that the school can prove that their risk assessment can be fully complied to. In our secondary despite as many measures as possible social distancing cannot be fully maintained. We have already lost 4 year groups for isolation in the last term. The NEU places the onus on the school ensuring that social distancing is maintained along with other mitigations.
My midwife said there is a risk of pre-term labour which is why public facing roles are not advised, and currently I am already at increased risk of pre-term labour. I agree that the guidelines are not clear. I have only based my comments on the advice I have received. I would encourage individuals to discuss the issue with their managers and if part of a union seek guidance from regional officers.

@Glitterynails I thought the same as you but this guidance seems not to be on their website as of Thursday, gives an error message going to the page where it used to be.

I work on hospital wards there is no way I want to be there post 28 weeks if there is even the tiniest increase in risk to me or baby!

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/#occupational

The business manager at my school has told me it will be business as usual, even after 28 weeks - but I agree, social distancing in schools is impossible. I am only 7+5 and will be having a risk assessment after half term break - should I raise the impossibility of SD in corridors?

@GanderousGoose I would raise the social distancing issue in corridors as part of your risk assessment. Our students and staff wear masks in corridors but that only helps partially. The advice my school was given by public health england is that 1min close to a student even with masks would need to result in isolation if that student tests positive. Very difficult to see how operating in a school is safe currently. Trouble is the advice is very different from DfE and from other regional areas of public health england. Schools are not getting a consistent message. It is tricky as we want the best for the students we teach, but I really don't want to risk the baby in what is already a higher risk pregnancy.

@GanderousGoose I recognise you from the June thread as also at a similar stage to me (I’m now 8+0) I’m a teacher too, but have some whole days non teaching doing leadership work. My dr has advised me to WFH where possible, so am going in to have a conversation and tell work on Monday. I’d be interested to hear how your RA goes if you don’t mind sharing?

I don’t like corridors either - awful. Going to start wearing a mask I think.

@Glitterynails thanks for the link, very useful.

Really interesting mixed responses, thanks for the link!
Everything seems so uncertain and lots of changes.

@pookypup that is a similar position to me. I will keep you updated. Are you happy for me to DM you?

Hi all, just wanted to jump on here. I’m 14+3 and also teach. It is impossible to socially distance in school. I also work in the private sector and teach full time. I will be wearing a mask as much as possible but at the same time feel quite nervous about everything. I have very mild asthma which in the past has caused me issues but I wasn’t one asked in lockdown 1 to shield but I will be speaking to my midwife/Dr about it. Best wishes to all xx

Following, 14 weeks currently. Work in community based social care, which involves use of public transport. Currently expected to continue after 28 weeks but might need to negotiate this.

@GanderousGoose yes please