RCOG advice

[Leo090813]

Good morning

Just wondering, i am aware all restrictions are pretty much over today, but is there still advice/guidance possibly from RCOG that pregnant women should social distance/WFH from 28 weeks? I'm trying to get a case together for my employer to continue WFH for the rest of my pregnancy x

Bump

Companies have always had to carry out a risk assessment in pregnancy. I believe the current guidance is that Covid has to be considered as part of this risk assessment.

However the solution/action to the Covid risk does not have to be work from home or suspend on full day. It could be other measures to minimise your risk, such as moving you from the customer facing role to a back office role. Or temperature checks, staff testing and social distancing measures within the office.

So it all depends on your role, and what other measures the company can take to address the risk.

@worrybutterfly

Companies have always had to carry out a risk assessment in pregnancy. I believe the current guidance is that Covid has to be considered as part of this risk assessment.

However the solution/action to the Covid risk does not have to be work from home or suspend on full day. It could be other measures to minimise your risk, such as moving you from the customer facing role to a back office role. Or temperature checks, staff testing and social distancing measures within the office.

So it all depends on your role, and what other measures the company can take to address the risk.

They did an RA but didn't mention covid! I added at the bottom that I was concerned about lack of social distancing etc but nothing was done. X

You need to tell them that you're at higher risk of Covid and therefore Covid needs to be considered as part of your risk assessment.

Make sure you put it in writing. The current wording on the government Covid website is:

"You must first have a workplace risk assessment with your employer and occupational health team.

Then, you should only continue working if the risk assessment advises that it is safe to do so."

The RCOG only provide guidance aimed at women in customer facing roles. Which is here: www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/

This means that your employer should remove or manage any risks. If this cannot be done, you should be offered suitable alternative work or working arrangements (including working from home) or be suspended on your normal pay."

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees

This is the govt guidance (rcog links to this).

It mentions this for women 28weeks and beyond:

Your employer should ensure you are able to adhere to any active national guidance on social distancing.

For many workers, this may require working flexibly from home in a different capacity.

All employers should consider both how to redeploy these staff and how to maximise the potential for homeworking, wherever possible.

Where adjustments to the work environment and role are not possible (e.g. manufacturing/retail industries) and alternative work cannot be found, you should be suspended on paid leave. Advice on suspension and pay can be found in HSE guidance.

@Namenic

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees

This is the govt guidance (rcog links to this).

It mentions this for women 28weeks and beyond:

Your employer should ensure you are able to adhere to any active national guidance on social distancing.

For many workers, this may require working flexibly from home in a different capacity.

All employers should consider both how to redeploy these staff and how to maximise the potential for homeworking, wherever possible.

Where adjustments to the work environment and role are not possible (e.g. manufacturing/retail industries) and alternative work cannot be found, you should be suspended on paid leave. Advice on suspension and pay can be found in HSE guidance.

Thank you, I did see this but wondered if it was outdated now as it states "adhere to any active guidance on social distancing" and there now isn't any so it left me a bit stumped.

Yes, this has got me stumped too as there's no social distancing guidance currently!

Then that’s the baseline your employer will need to work from. Unless there is something else that makes you CEV that could be the decision they make.

Or you could move to Wales. We still have masks and social distancing.

Perhaps speak to your gp and midwife? Could they write some medical advice eg that the risk is higher as the population case rate is higher? specific assessment of covid risk is required (this is a requirement of the .gov guidelines)

@Namenic

Perhaps speak to your gp and midwife? Could they write some medical advice eg that the risk is higher as the population case rate is higher? specific assessment of covid risk is required (this is a requirement of the .gov guidelines)

Thanks for your helpful reply. I think I'm going to go down that route yes and speak to Gp today and see if they can do anything to help. X