Return to the office

[CoffeeMonkey]

Hi Everyone, I work in an office based role but due to Covid have been working from home full time since the end of March. There is no impact to my job role or productivity & to be honest I’m busier than ever before!

I’m 12 weeks +5 & had my first scan on Monday, thankfully everything is all well , however my work also announced on Monday that they are expecting all staff to return to the office 2 days a week within each 2 week period, starting in December. When I told my manager I was pregnant she assumed this return to the office wouldn’t include me & had no issue with me continuing to work from home. When she spoke to upper management about this they said I can have my own office space & should be included in the return to the office.

I don’t see any benefit to this and feel it’s quite a risky option, I definitely wouldn’t be happy doing this as no one knows the long term effects of Covid, and according to the NHS website pregnant women are still considered moderate risk.

Sorry for the long post, just wondering what other people’s thoughts on this are, or if anyonek has had a similar situation?

You are technically part of a 'vulnerable' group. If you can prove that your productivity has been better than before, then I would definitely fight this.
Also, it is not yet clear at all that lockdown 2.0 will be lifted in early December so they've jumped the gun in any case - the rules expressly say everyone should avoid travelling to work unless they cannot do their jobs from home.
I am due in May and like you I am more concerned about the long term effects of covid. I will be pushing to remain working from home until I go on mat leave in mid to late April.

The guidance being given is to wfh if you can in your third trimester.

Do you have an occupational health department?

You'd need a risk assessment for all aspects of your job, including travel to and from work. You'd need this in pregnancy anyway if there were potentially any issues.

They must make reasonable adjustments if risks are identified.

On the other hand, I don't think pregnancy is really considered a risk in COVID until the third trimester

Pregnant women are only at higher risk when in third trimester and if they have underlying health conditions, thats following the guidance on the Royal college of midwives, I've been told by my midwife to follow same guidelines as anyone else at this time like wearing masks and social distancing, so if your work can put into place you being distanced (e.g. your own space like they have said) then they are doing what is required and it would be classed as safe work environment

Thanks everyone for your responses, some good food for thought! Just don’t really understand what they are trying to achieve when we are productive at home & in line with government advice (regardless of pregnancy or not), I only see risk for everyone rather than benefits.

@CoffeeMonkey I would speak to your community midwife, they might be able to provide you with something to give to work

Your work should do a risk assessment but it sounds like they’re putting plans in place to make it as safe as possible for you with having your own office space. If you’re white and no underlying health conditions and you’re not overweight then your risk assessment will still have you as low risk until you’re 28 weeks. It’s a worry but just remember to keep washing your hands and wear your mask when needed etc. If you feel unsafe (and they don’t make you your own office space) then ask to speak to someone about it again.