Updated HSE rules for pregnant women

[expectinglittlebear]

I was just having a look into the situation as of Monday when restrictions are lifted here in the UK. I myself am choosing to stay unvaccinated (personal choice) until baby is here, and with the restrictions easing but new delta variant COVID cases soaring, I am quite concerned.

My employment are very blasé when it comes to COVID, not social distancing, no masks, no testing, everyone still coming in with colds etc. Just noticed this that was updated on the HSE website yesterday, for advice for pregnant employees...

Has anyone actually 'asked' to work from home or for their workplace to put in more strict measures (even with restrictions lifting), to ensure your safety as a pregnant woman while at work, with cases rising? & If so, what was the outcome?

I am curious, as I don't want to spend the next 5-6 months fretting, while work are not really doing anything to keep me 'safe' from COVID while at work? If that makes sense.

I have asked work if I can WFH temporarily (background NHS employee sometimes on wards).

This is in part due to Covid and Noro being present and in part because any slight hint there might be a smell, and having to wear a mask, makes me vomit.

We are reviewing it week by week, but I had no idea there was actual policy relating to this, which will be handy if they try and make me come on-site unneseccarily!

I'm working from home with it reviewed monthly
Thankfully my line manager is supportive!

Do you have a link to those guidelines? I can't find them on the HSE website. I work for the HSE but their occupational guidance for their own workers are quite different!

Thank you all for your replies!

@shivawn On this link and scroll to the bottom x

www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/protect-people.htm

Thanks so much for sharing this!

My employer is currently being very supportive and allowing me to continue working at home but it'd useful to have if the position changes to help me prepare for discussions if needed

I'm 29 weeks and my employer (NHS) agreed for me to WFH from this week. I will be seeing my patients virtually.

(Had first vaccine in Jan before found out I was pregnant, planning to have second one once baby arrives)

I expect most will be at the moment; as it’s been guidance for a while that pregnant women should WFH after 28 weeks where possible…

Sadly I expect that won’t be the case when I get to 28 weeks, as the rest of the world will have gone back to “normal”.

My company are only just trialling small numbers returning to offices, so I'm under no expectation to return back to the office before I go on maternity leave.
I finish on the 20th August, so I would be fighting hard not to return prior if I was expected to. Seems a silly risk for such a short period!
I will continue to wear my mask and make sensible choices to try and limit my risks.
My second vaccination is due at the end of the month, so pregnant or not, I would be reluctant to throw myself into "normal" until after that anyway!

@expectinglittlebear What kind of job do you do? Your employer can’t just be so relaxed about restrictions, even if they are easing.

Have you had a standard pregnancy risk assessment done?

Is your job do-able from home?

Main reason for WFH is I do NOT want to be COVID + during the birth

You must do whatever you can to minimise risks of having COVID during your birth. And to stop your partner catching it as then they wouldnt be allowed to even be at the birth.

@TreeRoad I work in an office so can easily WFH with a laptop and zoom etc! Trouble is, my boss and everyone else is so laid back about it all and I know I shouldn't but I would feel very awkward if I was to make a big deal out of it, if you see what I mean.

Yes standard pregnancy risk assessment done, says on there about 'can easily social distance' etc, but no one sticks to anything!

I was just curious what others have done in the same circumstances. I am sure I want to ask to WFH, but I just feel like they would make it awkward for me / say no. I am probably just majorly overthinking it, but I definitely know I am not happy as it is and won't be after Monday either. x

I’m a teacher and will be working in class until my mat leave as normal. My college’s policy on it is, the classroom is as Covid secure as possible- go forth. Come September, my understanding is that Covid restrictions in classrooms etc will be gone. I’d say do it will be back to normal but to be honest it has been anyway.

Sorry, should have added that I’m 28 weeks on Monday so will be approx 35 when term starts again.

@expectinglittlebear yeah I appreciate that. It’s not always easy to step up when you feel like you’re making a big deal of it.

I’ve chosen to leave the vaccine until the baby’s born too. Do you have a Union that you could speak to, to see where you stand? If they can facilitate WFH with a laptop etc then that’s a reasonable adjustment they’d be expected to meet.

You really should still be WFH in your third trimester specifically. This seems even more key now with how transmissible the Delta variant is and with general restrictions lifting.