Anyone else in hospitality and pregnant

[Funauntienowmummytobe]

Hi all, just looking to hear what other workplaces have done for their employees with regard to the current guidance on working past 38wks. Has your workplace redeployed you, suspended you on pay or ignored the guidance altogether?

Had a meeting with work today as we are able to re open mid May and when I brought the guidance up they didn't seem to think I'll be at any more risk as numbers are low and that trying to stand away from tables in the restaurant while taking orders and trying not to clear many tables should be good enough.

I do feel that I should have been more vocal and emphasised that at 28wks pregnant woman are classed as clinically vulnerable. Just wondered how other people have got on discussing with their work, especially in hospitality.

Thanks!

Sorry working past 28wks!

Hi,

I also work in hospitality, I’m only 20 weeks though. My workplace hasn’t mentioned anything about the 28 week thing but I think they’re the same and would just ignore it. My friend who is also pregnant and works in the same company is 31 weeks pregnant and still works.

I think a lot of employers aren't aware of the guidance and it then falls to the employees to let them know. My sister works in a care home but in the dining room and has just been suspended on full pay. In her job she doesn't have contact with the general population, just residents and that was enough for her to be suspended post 28wks.

I don't work in hospitality but a school and I know they were very reluctant to accept guidance for a colleague in all honesty but now have done.

The guidance is very explicit about hospitality and says they must medically discharge you on full pay unless they can guarantee you can socially distance. I do think medical discharge potentially triggers your mat leave to start at 36 wks from memory but no expert so check this.

Chat to your midwife. Colleague found it a lot easier when she said "i spoke to my midwife and she insisted i must...unless government guidance for employees changes in which case id be happy to continue working. Here is a copy of the guidance "

Good luck! This is another stress you dont need.

To be honest with the way cases are dropping I would expect that the advice to shield after 28 weeks will be scrapped soon. It's only advice to shield not a requirement and your employer doesn't have to pay you.......

I’m 31 weeks and still working in the hospitality industry on full time hours. Work have been great at changing my shifts so I no longer work on the busiest days, as well as giving me as many seated/standing still tasks as they can find. To be honest, with cases so low and after a long time on furlough, I don’t particularly want or see the need to be off from 28 weeks (which is pretty much a week after I came back from furlough) and so I haven’t raised the current guidance - and neither have they. I’m wearing a mask, washing my hands more, trying not to clear tables and keeping my distance. I’m hoping to work until about 36 weeks.

I’m a respiratory nurse on a high risk Covid ward, currently 16 weeks pregnant: I rang occupational health this week and basically told that as numbers are lower now, then I am expected to work as normal until I take maternity leave

@SNKB14 I am very surprised at your work! Especially with how high risk it is. Hopefully by the time you are 28wks there will be updated guidance to suit the cases at that time.

@SNKB14 as far as I’m aware the guidance is still to be redeployed to non patient facing/medically suspended after 28 weeks.
I’ve been medically suspended from my role as there are so many pregnant colleagues in my trust so there’s nothing for us to be redeployed to currently 😂. I’m a HCA on an Elderly Care ward.
I would double check the RCOG guidance and maybe remind them of it if there’s no formal change to the post 28 week guidance on social distancing. Just because there are fewer cases doesn’t mean that you’re not still at higher risk should you be unlucky enough to catch it!

I am having the same issue, i work in health and social care and my manager said that I'd have to stop working at 28 weeks, however they are trying to find me off on starting my mat leave at 28 weeks which im assuming is illegal and they can't force me to do, would be interesting right hear from others

*fob

As far as I was aware it's only guidance - not law.

So if they don't want to redeploy you/furlough you until mat leave they dont have to.

I expect less and less workplaces will be following this going forward as covid numbers are now low.

When I spoke with ACAS yesterday it seems that employers should be following the guidance due to the risks should we contract the virus, however, with the reluctance of my employer to even redeploy me I am at a loss.

Without causing controversy, Id take some things said in this post with a pinch of salt and try and get proper advice, ring the maternity action helpline.

They state if your dismissed/not paid due to your workplace being unable to follow government guidance then you'll have a claim for unfair dismissal or unlawful deduction of wages through an employment tribunal. Unfortunately smaller employers may be less aware of their obligations and its difficult if you don't have a union for support.

Of course if you can think of ways your employer can support you and you feel safe absolutely go ahead thats great! But this doesn't sound like what you are saying?

People saying they personally think rules will change for pregnant women is fine but that isnt currently the guidance and until that changes your employer has a legal obligation to ensure your health and safety at work. Also, this doesnt take into account that pregnant women are the only unvaccinated vulnerable group (although I am aware some over 30s are now being offered this doesnt apply to many)

Decide whatever you're happy with and hopefully you can negotiate what suits you with your employer :) just don't let people feel like you cant request what you're legally entitled too.

Dentist here so in mouths all day - will be expected to work as normal up til mat leave (self employed so no choice really)

@kent1991 I don't feel that my employers suggestion of trying to take orders at a distance is going to keep me safe. The advice may change and I agree numbers are low but also would I want to live with regret if something did happen and I contracted the virus at work.

I feel very conflicted becuase I understand that it had been a very hard year being closed for the most part due to lockdowns and restrictions but I also want to feel protected at the same time. I naively thought that me being at work in a different capacity would be better than not at all but they don't want to redeploy me at all.

I have had advice from ACAS and they have said if my employer doesn't agree then they can help me with the next steps but it is a family run business (though quite large) so I don't want this situation to impact negatively when I return after maternity when I will be asking for hours better suited to a family. I will also talk to the midwife and see if she has any advice to offer me 🙂

I completely understand, my work have redeployed people but have been incredibly difficult about it. I work in a school with 4 year olds who are very touchy so social distancing is 0! But then I turn 28 wks just before the summer holidays so I think is it worth rocking the boat for 2 weeks? So i totally understand the worry about returning after mat leave.

Great youve got some good advice and theyll offer you support. Try not to worry too much and good luck!

I'm a nurse and the 28 week guidelines have been scrapped now in our trust so I can work up to birth if I wanted. Not sure I will as I'm massive!

Tbh op I think now that cases are so low in the UK most work places aren't doing this anymore, especially smaller companies that can't really afford it.

I called the midwife earlier to discuss if it is something I should accept and she was really pushing me to push them, she said to call the GP and get a letter from them. She said she doesn't see the guidance changing for pregnancy, though this is conflicting with what a pp has said and they work as a nurse.

I am currently working in hospitality and feel really vulnerable given that masks aren't required under current legislation. I informed my employer 13 weeks ago and have.t had a covid risk assessment. 7 days ago I requested one and am still waiting.. At present I feel particularly vulnerable and pretty much ignored. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Xx

@CallmeDeaconBlue google " pregnant then screwed". They have a helpline specifically about this kind of thing, think theyre closed to new year but they'd be great number to call