Working during corona? PLEASE HELP!

[Shannondd3108]

so I’ve been told by several people including my employer that after 28 weeks pregnant women who cannot social distance in there job will have to take payed leave (I’m a hairdresser) so does pay leave mean furlough or am I entitled to the full wage? Also does that then affect my maternity pay?! Is it optional as I really would like to work we have so many measures in place in our salon and haven’t had a single case between any of us so feel confident continuing to work. Is it up to me, the government or my employer?! Please help all of these rule changes are starting to really stress me out I’m currently 19 weeks and haven’t worked a single day this year because of lockdown 😢

I believe it's a choice as it's only 'guidance'.
Your work place will have to risk assess you either way though as that part is law.

Your paid leave should be full pay and shouldn't affect your maternity pay at all.

I’m also a hairdresser although self employed so finishing up at 28weeks is really not an option And as u say we have that much stuff in place in salon that even clients that are nurses who came in before this lockdown said the level of Ppe, distancing, clean downs etc where better than some of theirs! I have also read on here today that the 28 week rule has changed and now doesn’t say anything about being pregnant but haven’t actually checked this myself

You’d get full pay and it won’t affect your maternity pay. Not sure if it’s a choice you can make or whether your employer will make it, might depend on what your employer is comfortable with as well as you. In reply to PP, the advice for pregnancy women has not been updated today on the official government website but individual companies may update their own policies whenever they like as they are not obliged to follow the guidance.

Thankyou everyone just wish I could work right up until I’m ready for maternity leave without the fear in drop of hours/money 🤦🏼‍♀️ @Holly91 was just told by one of my friends today (manager as river island) that all their employees have to go off at 28 weeks but will get full pay (not sure if that’s just because their business has been quite generous throughout Covid) and he only got notified of this today so not sure what the rule changes are I’m finding lots of different information about it everywhere xx

I work in retail and was furloughed by my work at the start of january when i was 13 weeks as i really cant social distance and i was unable to wear a mask all day due to HG, im now 26 weeks and still on furlough, at the moment the guidance on pregnant woman of any gestation hasnt changed and its only from 28 weeks that you should be suspended on full pay if your work cant accomodate to keep you safe, i will either go back to work from the 26th of april with all other shielding workers or i will be kept on furlough till my maternity leave starts next month, you still have time to see what happens but i think ultimately its your choice on what you do but your work do need to do a risk assessment as somebody has already stated this is law

@xoxochellexoxo is she can make me go off at 28 weeks does this apply to the self employed too she knows I’m not returning after maternity leave and she’s been quite bitter about it 😣 there’s a girl who’s self employed and also pregnant does she have to make her go off too if she makes me take the time off? Surely even though she’s self employed my boss has to provide her a safe work environment too? I hope she doesn’t make her go off too (not being spiteful) just want to know if she makes only myself go off if it’s because she doesn’t want me there/on full pay/ working with her?

I dont think they can force you to go off at 28 weeks. Im currently 34 weeks and work with the public with hundred of people coming through my workplace and alot of other staff working at the same time. I can social distance from the staff to a certain extent but when out in the public area its impossible. I am not taking maternity for 3 more weeks which will take me to 37 weeks pregnant. I would speak to your employer they either seem to be miss-informed or maybe dont want the risk of you being in work.

@Shannondd3108 i really dont know how it will work if your self employed, but your midwife cant force you to stay at home, its just guidance to take a more cautious approach. Alot of buisnesses will have there own rules during covid and who should and shouldnt be working, by me not being able to wear a mask for my whole shift im putting myself and those i work with and customers at risk, all the covid measures were in place at my work and they couldnt possibly change and entire store or working pattern just to suit me and my needs which is why they furloughed me on full pay, i turn 28 weeks on the 18th april and if guidance is still the same as it always has been for pregnant workers i will be kept on furlough till my maternity leave, i think once you get closer to 28 weeks you will have a clear answer but as iv already mentioned it is your choice