Work being difficult about working from home

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Hello all,

I am 23 weeks with baby number 1!

Symptoms at the moment include being very tired, heartburn, hot flushes, struggling to walk long distances (possibly sciatica) and the return of morning sickness and nausea!

When covid was at its height, my work place had a rule where women at 28 weeks pregnant had to work from home. Now, that the rules have lifted slightly they are saying that this needs to be done with permission from department heads.

I am a teacher at a College and work with two different departments. So, I emailed both my department heads and asked them if I could work from home from 31/32 weeks pregnant and then start my maternity leave at 35/36 weeks (so I would only be working from home for 4 or 5 weeks.

One department head said this was fine, the other has said that unless I have a letter from a doctor stating that I need to then I have to continue to come in.

I know my body, and I am already starting to struggle with the commute and the long hours on my feet. I know that realistically if I went to the doctors they would probably be more than happy to provide me with a sick note that says I should work from home.

Has anyone else had problems like this? When I first told work I was pregnant they were very accommodating but they seem to have dropped the ball a bit now...

Any help, advice or stories would be very helpful

You dont need a sick note (you aren't sick and you aren't asking to be signed off work) you need to ask for a pregnancy risk assessment and then take it from there.

When covid was at its height, my work place had a rule where women at 28 weeks pregnant had to work from home.

That was Government guidance, which was removed at the last updates, sadly. Unless that's reinstated, it's now down to your employer.

I'm 23 weeks with baby #1 too . It's possible that the guidance will change again before we get to 31/32 weeks, especially as we're going into Winter and nobody seems to know how that'll affect things, so it's probably a waiting game for now... I don't think a doctor could write a sick note now for use at 31 weeks anyway, so you'd need to get that closer to the date.

@pastabest

You dont need a sick note (you aren't sick and you aren't asking to be signed off work) you need to ask for a pregnancy risk assessment and then take it from there.

Hello, you see... this is what I thought. But my department head has actually said to me that unless she sees a doctors note saying I need to work from home for my health then I have to come into work...

@TakeYourFinalPosition

When covid was at its height, my work place had a rule where women at 28 weeks pregnant had to work from home.

That was Government guidance, which was removed at the last updates, sadly. Unless that's reinstated, it's now down to your employer.

I'm 23 weeks with baby #1 too . It's possible that the guidance will change again before we get to 31/32 weeks, especially as we're going into Winter and nobody seems to know how that'll affect things, so it's probably a waiting game for now... I don't think a doctor could write a sick note now for use at 31 weeks anyway, so you'd need to get that closer to the date.

OOH! I'm due 20th December with a little girl, how about you?

This is the other problem I have. My maternity leave is currently due to start on November 15th. If I am able to work from home then I can delay that date, if not I will keep it as it is. The issue is, HR need my completed and final maternity form in 2 weeks time! So, I am thinking I might phone the doctor and ask for some advice - e.g. will they be able to provide me with a letter when I need it.

Have a look at Pregnant then Screwed's Covid Hub. They have a lot of resources plus a model letter for working at home under covid:

pregnantthenscrewed.com/covid-19/write-to-your-employer-risks-for-pregnant-women/

Symptoms at the moment include being very tired, heartburn, hot flushes, struggling to walk long distances (possibly sciatica) and the return of morning sickness and nausea!

Those are symptoms of pregnancy-nothing to do with covid? If the doctor says you’re too ill to be at work, you can start your maternity leave early.

Be aware that there’s a point (I can’t remember when), in later pregnancy when any sick leave will automatically kick start your maternity leave. So if you get your doctor to sign you off sick you may find you have to just start your leave earlier.

@AngelaChasesBestLife

Have a look at Pregnant then Screwed's Covid Hub. They have a lot of resources plus a model letter for working at home under covid:

pregnantthenscrewed.com/covid-19/write-to-your-employer-risks-for-pregnant-women/

Thank you! I didn't know about this website. That is very helpful

@Redlocks28

Symptoms at the moment include being very tired, heartburn, hot flushes, struggling to walk long distances (possibly sciatica) and the return of morning sickness and nausea!

Those are symptoms of pregnancy-nothing to do with covid? If the doctor says you’re too ill to be at work, you can start your maternity leave early.

Hi, yeah I thought I'd let people know the symptoms as those are some of the reasons that I am struggling to work. And no, nothing to do with covid luckily I have managed to steer clear of that so far!

It's not that I am too ill to work, just getting uncomfortable and finding it difficult. I can't afford to take my maternity leave before 35 weeks pregnant. I am going to try and go as long as I can without working from home

@Moominmiss

Be aware that there’s a point (I can’t remember when), in later pregnancy when any sick leave will automatically kick start your maternity leave. So if you get your doctor to sign you off sick you may find you have to just start your leave earlier.

Hi, yeah I think it is 4 weeks before the expected week of childbirth (my due date is a Monday so this is literally at 36 weeks pregnant). I am planning on starting maternity leave at 35 weeks so luckily it won't affect me.

I replied to someone else's comment too saying this but it's not that I'm ill or anything. I am just not comfortable at work and struggling to focus. It's just little things like my office chair isn't very comfortable or supportive and a lot of my work involves walking a lot and there isn't anywhere I can just chill out or get comfortable. Plus I don't get a lot of privacy at work, which I know a lot of people don't get. It's just my stress level goes down and my work load is more manageable when I work from home

Do you teach classes? Is it realistic to work from home? If it is then unsure why other department head would be difficult. Why do you think they are against it?

The government guidelines for pregnant women still recommended to work from home/flexibility, in case this helps - www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees

I know that realistically if I went to the doctors they would probably be more than happy to provide me with a sick note that says I should work from home.

I don’t understand the problem then - just do this?

Are you vaccinated? I don’t see why you need to be at home. You aren’t medically unfit, you just aren’t comfortable? What do you need privacy for? Why are you wishing to chill out at work? I think if you can’t articulate reasons to wfh that a manager can actually latch on to, then they are within their rights to say no, it isn’t necessary. To my mind as a manager, there are millions of women who cope with the normal symptoms of pregnancy and manage full time jobs, you seem to be expecting some special treatment for something quite ordinary. Late pregnancy is often very uncomfortable so I would honestly not be complaining about a rejected wfh request at 23 weeks unless there was something a GP could sign off, but you say there isn’t.

If your chair is not comfortable, then get a workstation assessment done. You may need a foot rest or a different style of chair. Perhaps a small cushion at the small of your back or underneath you might help. Walking releases endorphins, and can reduce inflammation from sciatica, so it is a good thing to move around, also to avoid the risk of DVT and raised blood pressure. You definitely don’t want to be sitting or lying down all day, and then going to bed.

Swimming is a great exercise when pregnant , so perhaps you could find some time to fit that into your week and help strengthen you and relieve you from the possible sciatic nerve symptoms.

My reply sounds hugely unsympathetic, I’m sorry about that. But you’ve got to give your manager a stronger case to sign off, or buckle up for the inevitably uncomfortable ride.

The issue is you aren't sick you are just pregnant. Pre Covid no one would necessarily have even thought that WFH was an actual option. Unfortunately it is entirely up to your employer whether they allow you or not to do so in the circumstances you describe.

Maybe ask the one who says it will be okay if they are able to speak to the other who says no.

How does a teacher at a college wfh if the students are in?
Genuinely confused.

The working from home due to Covid thing is a bit of a red herring here. It's not relevant as workplaces didn't have a choice.

What you're suffering with are fairly standard pregnancy issues. If you can't work then you need a note from GP. If you need reasonable adjustments then it should be agreed via risk assessment but if your workplace cannot accommodate them then you may have to finish work early. WFH isn't a choice usually available to pregnant women in many workplaces.

@pinksquash13

Do you teach classes? Is it realistic to work from home? If it is then unsure why other department head would be difficult. Why do you think they are against it?

Hi, I do teach classes but they are of second priority to the 1:1 support I give. I mainly am pastoral care but also teach optional lessons to students of things like CV writing, sexual health, equal opportunities... that kind of thing. I am not sure why one department head is fine with it and the other is not. My only thought is that the one who is against it has just let quite a few staff members go and maybe they want me around to help pick up any slack? But even then I can do that from home.

It is realistic for me to work from home, I even provided both department heads with a schedule and plan for how it can be done effectively

[quote AnxiousBear]The government guidelines for pregnant women still recommended to work from home/flexibility, in case this helps - www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees[/quote]
Thank you, this is very helpful

@Knittingupastorm

I know that realistically if I went to the doctors they would probably be more than happy to provide me with a sick note that says I should work from home.

I don’t understand the problem then - just do this?

I was more concerned whether anyone else had done something similar to this and received any backlash. I am just a little nervous about it all really and it is getting closer to the date when I need all paperwork in and my department head has just made me feel a little bad about asking to work from home despite telling me earlier in my pregnancy that it would be okay

That wouldn't be your works advice, that was government advice.

I believe the advice for pregnant women in their third trimester has changed back as it's more high risk- look on the HSE website as I'm not sure what it says now.

Your work should be doing regular risk assessments on you regardless of COVID, that should be standard practice. This would though cover COVID concerns, they need to put in protections for you. Not to necessarily work from home but maybe provide desk screens, sanitiser etc.

My GP gave me a note during my third trimester no problem so doubt it will be an issue if that's what your work really want.

It wasn’t in covid times but I was signed off to work from home while I was pregnant. I won’t go into the details but I absolutely couldn’t have worked in the office due to a combination of issues. I’m not sure work was thrilled about it, but I was ill so I’d dont feel guilty, although was stressed about it at the time.

OP, you need to be realistic. Maternity leave can be taken from 29 weeks for exactly the reasons you describe. Take it, it's not fair on your employer or students to expect to teach from home, students have missed enough face to face contact. Pregnancy is uncomfortable and exhausting but it's not an illness.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and best wishes

Also, if your job can truly be done from home why are you expected to do 'long hours on your feet' at work? You're a teacher? Just sit down?

In all honest OP, you are describing perfectly normal pregnancy symptoms. You can choose to carry on in work or to start maternity early. I'm pregnant with my second: with my first I was absolutely strarting to struggle in the last few weeks and I started driving and paying exhorbitant parking rather than walking, but I wanted to save the extra time.

Covid was an extraordinary event. There are enhanced risks to pregnant women, but I do feel a bit wary of how many people seem to be using whats happened as a reason to try and chance their arm and change their working conditions. If you go on mat leave, someone else will do your teaching and pastoral support in-person. If you don't, your students will realistically get a sub-standard experience. I'd just go on mat leave earlier in that circumstance tbh.