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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Should I push to WFH from 28 weeks?

60 replies

MrsChipsreturns · 18/06/2021 12:28

Currently 20w with baby number 2. I've had both my covid jabs so fully vaccinated. I work in an NHS dentist. Its very busy and people are now allowed to walk in and out as they please to book appointments etc.

I know the guidance is still currently for pregnant people over 28w to WFH where possible and where not possible to be given full pay but stay at home until maternity leave starts. I am requested to start my mat leave from 32 weeks anyway.

My question is, should I push this with work? I don't think I will be able to WFH as its not that kind of job so I would be off on full pay. I am anxious about catching covid and I think I work in a fairly high risk environment.

Eager to hear from anyone else going through same.

OP posts:
baldafrique · 18/06/2021 14:01

There must be SOME work you could do at home? Admin? Business related stuff?

bananaleaf2706 · 18/06/2021 14:01

I don't think you're being unreasonable OP. Some people obviously just see it as you wanting more time off but catching covid late on in your pregnancy could mean:

  • delivering early
  • delivering whilst unwell
  • delivering alone (cos your partner would be at home isolating)

I'd offer to take it unpaid rather than go through the stress of fighting for it though I think, though as the guidance says you're well within your rights to expect full pay.

breadbinbaby · 18/06/2021 14:11

[quote baldafrique]@breadbinbaby
You disagree with the RCOG guidance?[/quote]
I don’t agree that the guidance suggests that someone in OP’s position needs to be at home in full pay, tbh. The first step is to do a risk assessment and for the employer to support appropriate risk mitigation. She’s double jabbed, patients and clinicians are wearing masks. Sounds fine to me. Presumably when the OP asked whether she should push it with her employer, she was open to some people responding saying ‘no’.

Original poster
MrsChipsreturns · 18/06/2021 14:12

Thanks for all the responses. I will have to give it some thought.

Really surprised at the blunt and goady comments on here!

OP posts:
baldafrique · 18/06/2021 14:14

@breadbinbaby
Fair

baldafrique · 18/06/2021 14:15

I would have thought dentistry was pretty high risk as you're literally working up close and personal in their mouths and they obvs dont have masks on then?!

Girlmama3 · 18/06/2021 14:44

Could you ask to do a job that isn’t so close to people? Are there behind the scenes jobs you could for everyone like cleaning, filing etc?

I’m with you on this. I’d be worried too. Until recently pregnant women were told to shield from 28 weeks. The vaccine isn’t 100% so you do need to be careful x

Howshouldibehave · 18/06/2021 14:58

@baldafrique

I would have thought dentistry was pretty high risk as you're literally working up close and personal in their mouths and they obvs dont have masks on then?!
Is the OP a dentist?
baldafrique · 18/06/2021 15:11

@Howshouldibehave
Oh I thought she was a dentist or dental nurse (hence not much she can do at home!) but reading back she said she works at a dentistry practice. What is your role there OP? If its admin then surely you can do the role at home?

Muststopeating · 18/06/2021 15:13

This thread looks like it got mean fast so haven't read the whole thing.

I think only you can judge the safety of your environment, but I presume you are not actually in the room during treatment etc?

You are absolutely entitled to be worried and of course you can ask your employer, worst case they say no. However, I would be a very very annoyed manager if I discovered that my employee who was taking time off to shield (on pay) was then going to soft play, playdates, birthday parties etc.

If you want time off to shield then ask, but only if you actually plan to shield properly.

For what its worth I'm 36 weeks pregnant with DC3. Started mat leave last week but WFH anyway so could very easily have decided to shield. I haven't had either jab yet (but will do when available). I chose not to. Its not that I don't believe in the risks but I feel like life has been on hold for so long that I'd like to start a little bit of living again.

Howshouldibehave · 18/06/2021 15:22

[quote baldafrique]@Howshouldibehave
Oh I thought she was a dentist or dental nurse (hence not much she can do at home!) but reading back she said she works at a dentistry practice. What is your role there OP? If its admin then surely you can do the role at home?[/quote]
I was guessing on reception which probably means checking patients in, booking next appointments, taking payments etc which can’t be done from home. I would suspect in a surgery waiting room, it’s socially distanced, very hygienic and she can wear a mask all the time (like all colleagues will be) though.

MissChanandlerBong90 · 18/06/2021 15:53

I don’t agree that the guidance suggests that someone in OP’s position needs to be at home in full pay, tbh. The first step is to do a risk assessment and for the employer to support appropriate risk mitigation. She’s double jabbed, patients and clinicians are wearing masks. Sounds fine to me. Presumably when the OP asked whether she should push it with her employer, she was open to some people responding saying ‘no’.

Yeah, that’s the way I read the guidance too. The employer has to ensure the employee can adhere to any applicable social distancing requirements and/or any guidance for CEV pregnant women. That may involve WFH, or being suspended on full pay, or it may not - but it’s not automatic, it depends on the working environment.

I have no idea about the OP’s working environment but in my dentist’s surgery the receptionist is behind a Perspex screen and all patients have to be masked and temperature checked on arrival.

Howshouldibehave · 18/06/2021 15:58

In my dentists, you still have to wait in the car/away from the surgery until you are phoned. Then you come in masked, where you sanitise your hands, your temperature is taken and the receptionist talks to you through a plastic screen.

It it about 50 times more safe than my 29-week pregnant colleague who is teaching a class of 31 unmasked pupils in a poorly ventilated room, which the HT’s risk assessment says is fine.

LauEli · 18/06/2021 19:42

Can you take any annual leave prior to maternity leave at all? They might be a bit more supportive of this

GummyBear91 · 18/06/2021 19:46

Legally my understanding is you have every right to work from home/be signed off on full pay if that doesn't work for your role. The government guidelines still stand vaccinated or not.

My friend was told by her midwife to stop working as she is a carer. She was signed off at 28 weeks and also used up some holiday that she had saved up before her mat leave started.

It doesn't matter if you are or are not more anxious than others. You work in a place that means you come across lots of people everyday and you currently have the right to stop working at 28 weeks. The evidence says there is a higher risk of preterm or still birth (nothing massive but the risk is there). Don't be shamed into staying at work if you don't feel safe. I'd ask your gp and midwife for advice as well. You and your baby should be the priority, nothing else.

Bancha · 18/06/2021 20:26

I totally understand your worries, OP. I know more than one person who has covid after being double vaccinated, over three weeks after having the second dose. They’ve all had mild or no symptoms, but none of them have been pregnant. Having two vaccines doesn’t mean you can’t catch it. I don’t really understand some of the comments on this thread.

sarah13xx · 18/06/2021 20:33

Look on sky news at the latest story about pregnant women dying from the Brazil variant, very scary! Just saw it come up and thought of this post

wingingit987 · 18/06/2021 20:38

Are you a dental nurse? Fully vaccinated or not you should not be clinical for 28 weeks.

I am almost ready to pop and I was not allowed to be patient facing as that is the guidance from the nhs. Patient facing includes reception. I was in a office doing admin or remote reception didn't have an option to work from home.

breadbinbaby · 18/06/2021 20:53

They’ve all had mild or no symptoms, but none of them have been pregnant. Having two vaccines doesn’t mean you can’t catch it.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with catching an illness that’s going to give you mild or no symptoms, pregnant or not.

Bancha · 18/06/2021 20:59

@breadbinbaby

They’ve all had mild or no symptoms, but none of them have been pregnant. Having two vaccines doesn’t mean you can’t catch it.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with catching an illness that’s going to give you mild or no symptoms, pregnant or not.

No, but the guidance says that pregnant women can get much worse symptoms than other people.
wtftodo · 18/06/2021 21:00

My child’s year 2 teacher has been working from home since schools reopened, she’s now in her third trimester. She does all the lesson planning and marking, reports, parents evening, subject/phase lead, delivers remote learning to isolating children, delivers remote lessons in some subjects. The class has an on-site supply teacher.

It works fine and she’s more than earning her salary.

Senorasurf · 18/06/2021 21:16

Totally empathise with you OP. I'm a teacher, 26 weeks now and can't decide what to do.
I don't feel safe at school, especially with rising cases, but I feel anxious as hell at the thought of teaching my lessons virtually to my classes in school. I just can't see it working which makes me feel like it would be easier to stay in school.

It's definitely a crappy decision that seems to be put onto the women/employers Sad

minatrina · 18/06/2021 21:17

Christ, some of these comments... I/my friend didn't get to/didn't choose to stay at home on full pay, so therefore you shouldn't either!! Hmm very bitter attitude

Sod that OP - your baby is presumably more important to you than you job, and you shouldn't feel guilty for wanting to prioritise your baby over your job. I don't understand people who feel like you should owe your job unwavering servitude at the cost of all else - in this case, potential risk to your unborn child. Maybe it inconveniences your boss, maybe it pisses a few people off for a few days, that's life - you are within your rights to ask for these adjustments.

Being pregnant is scary, let along during a pandemic. I don't see how anyone can blame you for feeling anxious, whether or not they perceive the risk in the same way. Especially with the slight loss of vaccine efficacy for the delta variant. Sending lots of love to you, do what feels right for you and your baby x

breadbinbaby · 18/06/2021 21:23

Lots of groups can get much worse symptoms than other people. That’s why they were prioritised for vaccines, which are incredibly effective at preventing serious symptomatic illness. I know the guidance is in place regardless, but asking to be suspended on full pay from 28 weeks is not without its potential pitfalls for OP and the guidance won’t help with those.

Jelliestogether · 18/06/2021 22:25

Can anyone find the rcog guidelines, I can't find where it recommends working from home from 28w. I'm patient facing within the NHS and want to follow the correct guidelines