When to tell work? Work in supermarket and covid!

[Magik01]

I’m currently 9 and a half weeks pregnant and unsure when to tell work! I work in a supermarket 4 evenings a week filling shelves - so a bit of stool standing and pulling cages etc. And not to mention with Covid!

Opinions please?

I'd tell your manager now, you don't have to legally but I would so they're aware and can do a risk assessment with you.

As above you don’t have to tell them yet but for your own safety and the baby’s I think you should. They have to respect your confidentiality and keep it to just management knowing if that is one of your concerns. They should complete a risk assessment and put you on light duties. Be very careful standing on stools, pulling heavy cages and lifting heavy boxes, etc. It’s just not worth the risk.

I’m not sure about all the supermarkets but Waitrose has a policy of giving all vulnerable and extremely vulnerable people the opportunity to shield on full pay during lockdown. Pregnant women are classed as vulnerable. Check your supermarket Covid policy and/or speak to HR for advice.

Congratulations on your pregnancy BTW!

I told my work when I was 9 weeks due to the pandemic. I work in a GP surgery and felt it was a risk so for all the risk assessments out of the way and made sure those who needed to know did. I had a really positive experience, I'm sure they will be supportive x