Working when pregnant - COVID

6 replies

Bluespace · 14/02/2021 07:21

I’m a key worker, a nursery manager, and am obviously still currently working. There is a risk assessment in place, but as I work with under 5’s, there is no way to social distance at all. Even when not based in the room, I’m having to do tours, greet parents and pass children over at the beginning and end of day etc.

I’m aware what at 28 weeks, it is recommended that if you can’t socially distance that you must be suspended. My employer has said that this will either be by furlough or by starting MAT leave early - surely neither of these are fair?! I don’t want to start maternity leave at 28 weeks and miss time when the baby is born!

Is anyone else in the same position? I’ve been in self-isolation and then annual leave so haven’t been to work in 3 weeks and am so worried about going back in tomorrow

OP posts:

lilly02 · 14/02/2021 07:59

Yes I'm in the same position. I'm 27 weeks this week and it still hasn't been sorted by my work.
I've read that you have to be suspended on full pay if they can not find an alternative role?
There's no way they can start maternity pay at 28 weeks, it's actually not fair.
I just hope they find an alternative role for me.
If there another role you could do? X

eyestotheskies · 14/02/2021 08:03

I’m an nhs worker and had to stop clinical work at 28/40 but on full pay until maternity leave starts when the baby is born.

Your employer should be offering you the same, I would seek legal advice as if they cannot find alternative work for you they can’t force you to start mat leave from 28 weeks..

Squellyolwelly · 14/02/2021 08:19

Gov website states suspension as paid leave if you can’t safely go to work or work from home

Mysa74 · 14/02/2021 08:29

I'm NHS too. The rules changed when I was 33 weeks, one moment I was expecting to work until mat leave at 40 weeks (I work round the corner to the birthing unit and previous 2 girls both induced at 42 weeks so not as crazy as it sounds) and half an hour later I was escorted from the premises on full pay...
They definately have to keep you safe and can't make you take your mat leave early.

Peekay12 · 14/02/2021 09:15

I'm in exactly the same situation as you. I work in the NHS as a health care assistant. I haven't seen patients in a while as I work in a GP surgery and there's hardly any reviews to do so I'm helping with Reception and Administration. The doors to the surgery are closed but we speak to patients through a window so we are pretty safe. I am due in July and wanted to take my maternity at 38 weeks with all my annual leave before that so my official leaving date would have been in May. I will be 33 weeks. I had a meeting with my employer and she told me I will have to be on maternity leave at 28 weeks and take my annual leave before that. Meaning she wants me to leave next month!!! 4 months before baby is due!! I told her no. She then told me that come April, if lockdown is lifted, I have no choice but to see patients and there will be no alternative work for me. I have rang acas and maternity action. They're all saying the same thing. They should offer you an alternative role or suspend on full pay. I got another meeting in the middle of March and I'm dreading it.

thefishthatcouldwish · 14/02/2021 09:22

Are you in a union I would advise joining if not to get their advice.

Am pre- school lead and am going to be working from home at 28 weeks.

Legally your employer must either find alternative work or keep you on (fully) payed leave until you go on mat leave.

You can’t also be put on furlough due to pregnancy and your employer can’t tell you when to take Mat leave unless you have something pregnancy related where you end up off sick.

I would seek union or legal advice

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