What has your work done with regards to COVID

[xoxochellexoxo]

I work in retail and also suffer from hypermesis so struggle to wear a mask. Does anybody else work in retail and what has your work done to reduce the risks to you? My boss hasnt done any sort of risk assessment since finding out im pregnant but with the new strain and the new restrictions with lockdown i feel very uneasy about going into work so have been told to stay at home until a risk assessment has been done and then we would discuss further. Anybody else had to self isolate?

I work in a garden centre which is still open as we are classed as essential so I have been in work the whole time I've been pregnant so far. There were no extra precautions taken for me and my risk assessment was just the company's basic one e.g. no heavy lifting etc.

However due to projected low sales during this lockdown the company are furloughing some staff again to save money and I have been offered the chance to go on furlough until further notice so I've said yes as even though nothing has really been proven in regards to covid affecting pregnant women I'm nearly 18 weeks and a lot of customers are still not following the rules of only shopping with their household and are incapable of social distancing etc. So I will feel a lot less anxious by being at home until hopefully the vaccinations are rolled out.

Could you ask your manager if furlough is an option for you?

@Amethyst2502 i work for a food chain supermarket and are busy all day everyday, i didnt feel as anxious to begin with but then i was diagnosed with the hypermesis and have since struggled wearing a mask at work which they are aware of, they could put me on a tile which is surrounded by screens but im also not comfortable with sitting for 8 hours a day. We have restricted our store to a certain amount of customers at any given time but like yourself have found customers have no respect for social distancing even when they can see im not wearing a mask. I think they could furlough me if that was an option depending on the outcome of said risk assessment. I would feel safer at home

@xoxochellexoxo sorry you're feeling this way, I'm nearly 21 weeks and suffered with HG throughout, it really is horrible.

I'm not sure if furlough would be an option as there is work for you to do and I don't think pregnancy qualifies anymore (may be wrong, I'm sure someone else can clarify). However, would you be able to get signed off by your GP? Sounds like a lot of your struggling is due to the sickness and anxiety around not being able to wear a mask etc so definitely grounds to be signed off, worth speaking to them

@Lou98 my gp wont sign me off as its classed as an underlying health issue so i dont need to wear a mask at work its more my anxiety surrounding being at work, i know they probably wont ask me to stay off as there is work i can (can sit my backside at a till) its just my feelings i guess

This is the advice from the Gov website. I’m now 31 weeks, work for the NHS in a proper facing role, so I’m now working from home until I go on mat leave x

Patient rather! Not proper

I work in a pharmacy and have hyperemesis. I've been off sick for 11 weeks now. I can't shift the nausea or light headedness so I can't survive a day at work.

@xoxochellexoxo I can't believe your doctor won't sign you off? Hyperemesis is a complication of pregnancy and you're sick! Just tell them you can't handle the day. You're too tired and sick and they really should sign you off.

Pay is another thing though. I'm just a week away from my company pay ending. I asked to be furloughed for childcare reasons while schools closed (is allowed) and for long term sick (also allowed) but they said no. It would save them money not having to pay statutory sick pay and allow me to not get into financial difficulty (single mother) but nope.

I also can't social distance at my work, as it's too small with too many staff, can't avoid patient contact with many people still coming in with coughs etc when they shouldn't. But oh well.

[quote xoxochellexoxo]@Lou98 my gp wont sign me off as its classed as an underlying health issue so i dont need to wear a mask at work its more my anxiety surrounding being at work, i know they probably wont ask me to stay off as there is work i can (can sit my backside at a till) its just my feelings i guess [/quote]
Is there any chance you could get a second opinion from another GP? (Sorry if you've already tried this) HG is definitely a valid reason to be signed off, my GP asked when I was diagnosed if I needed a note, fortunately with the way my work is I never but the option was there.

If they won't sign you off because of the Hyperemisis would they sign you off with anxiety? This is also a valid reason, I wouldn't be happy with them saying there's nothing they could do for you

I called up the gp and asked for a call back and when the receptionist asked me what it was for i explained about my hypermesis and she said thats an underlying health condition you dont need to wear a mask and you also dont need to give your employer a note, im waiting on my midwife ringing me back to see if im able to be given some sort of sick line, im entitled to 30 weeks paid sick leave at my work, i dont want to have to stay at home but i also cant deal with the absolute disrespect of some customers and standing trying to explain that your having a difficult pregnancy all the time gets tiring. I will hopefully know more by the morning on whats to happen

Hyperemesis so is not an underlying health condition. It's an acute complication requiring treatment. Hopefully this is just a receptionist getting above her station. Ask for an appointment for your sickness. Don't tell them it's for a line so you can definitely speak to the doctor about it.

Have you got meds for it?

@singleandttc yeah iv been on cyclizine since 7 weeks. Im going to ring in the morning and get a call back but hopefully my midwife calls me back before then

Just to update i have been furloughed until further notice, my work cant remove any risk to me so by removing me takes away the risk because i cannot wear my mask. Thankyou all for your advice ❤️

@xoxochellexoxo I would have thought that would come under medical suspension instead of furlough. Sounds like they’re trying to save money there.

However at least you are safe at home now

@Sansa87 yes you are more than likely correct however my work have agreed to top up my wages so i will be furloughed on full pay, at this point im just glad they have done something and i can atleast sit at home and not worry and take care of myself and baby