Type 1 Diabetic and Worried About COVID

[Tigerlily08]

I'm currently 21 weeks pregnant with my first and am also Type 1 Diabetic. I'm a Prison Officer and although I have been removed from the landings, I do not feel that the prison are doing much to keep me safe from COVID.

Being Type 1 Diabetic too means that I am a high-risk pregnancy and should I catch COVID I am at greater risk of serious illness. Our prison has had numerous outbreaks, we are Tier 4 (Kent) and it is impossible to socially distance. They are struggling to find work for me to do and refuse to give me anything I can do at home.

I had an OH appointment and they mentioned that I should be going home at 28 weeks due to being high-risk. The prison have threatened to start my Mat leave at 28 weeks which surely they can't do?

My question is, if I were to go home at 28 weeks, who instructs me to go home then? I've spoken to my Diabetic Obstetrician, Midwife and another Dr at an Antenatal appointment and they have all said they can only write a letter and advise, not tell the prison to send me home. Would it be the GP signing me off 'sick'?

I'm feeling so frustrated that they are putting me at risk for no reason when they can't even find me work to do.

The OH health people should be co-ordinating that with work, I’m assuming it was an OH appt arranged via work?

@Milkshake54 it was organised by work, but it seems that it was just a report sent across for guidance. As far as I'm aware, employers don't need to follow what was said by OH?

Do you have a union with work?
I’d speak to them if at all possible - especially if OH has recommended it!

We do yes, I will try speaking to our local reps and see what they say. Thank you!

Here are the new guidelines for pregnant workers

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees

https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/protect-people.htm?utmsource=govdelivery&utmmmedium=email&utmcampaign=coronavirus&utmmterm=more-2&utm_content=digest-10-jul-20

Your work can not force you to take mat leave early, the only time this happens is if ur are off sick 4 weeks before ur due date then mat leave would kick in.

If you do not feel safe and get paid sick leave get ur gp to give u a sick note up until ur 28 weeks then as far as I understand it you should be working from home or on special full paid leave ( as you can't follow strict social distancing) or if they are being a holes then get sick note from gp until due date.

Do what you feel is right to protect your self and baby x

Thanks for the information @boymum88 - they are making me feel like I'm the arsehole and that I am being pedantic!

@Tigerlily08 my feelings are you can only do the pregnancy once, and after having my first ds Prematurely I have learnt to do what's right for me and mine, and to make sure I'm informed up to the eye balls with what work can and can't do. They have risk asses and protect workers at any time covid or no covid pregnancy or no pregnancy.
For me a job is a job which I do love but my loyalty will always lie at home xx

Hi Tigerylily, they cannot make you go on maternity leave that early - they earliest they could is at 36 weeks (maternityaction.org.uk/advice/sickness-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/). And that's if you have to take time off for pregnancy-related illness, I believe.

If you can't do your normal job because of health and safety risks, then they need to find you alternative work at the same pay. If they can't find you alternative work, then they have to suspend you from work on paid leave, at full pay. Do not accept anything less. (www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/law.htm)

Maternity Action is a good source of information, and they also have a phone line and email address that you can use for advice.

Whoops, I didn't realise I opened this hours ago, so missed that boymum88 already gave you most of this information . I hope I've added a little extra more useful information. Good luck! xx

Lots of great advice. My friend is a type 1 pregnant teacher. She's been working from home since the start of her pregnancy. If anything, work were concerned she may sue if anything happened!

Thank you all for your advice. I'm going to speak to our union rep today then will probably book an appointment with the GP in the New Year. I have been pushing and pushing to be given more admin work - as it stands I have no more than 30 mins of work per day and I am on a 41 hour p/w contract! Pretty much sat most days on the internet which is driving me crazy. You'd think they would jump at the chance of someone offering to work...