Confused on work...

[littlemissdozy]

Very confused on the rules within work now the virus is at a height again. I work in a customer forward facing role. 2 people in my work are currently off with positive tests. My boss being one who came in the day she took a positive test on the morning (long story)

But I'm 24 weeks pregnant. I'm going off at 34 weeks as I'm getting induced at 38 weeks, so just want time to prepare and relax best I can. But does the 28 week rule still apply if your work can't cater to your needs at work they'll say work from home, which I can't in my job so it'll be suspended with full pay until maternity starts. I had a risk assessment when I was 9 weeks pregnant and that was the last assessment I had. I've since had to give in doctors notes to reduce shift lengths ect as my boss was putting me in 10 hour shifts almost 5 days a week and it was just to much as I've been suffering migraines so the screen time has just been adding fuel to the fire if I'm sat there sometimes for 6 plus hours. My company is very much just be there and don't really have a huge welfare care in my opinion. So just want to be a bit clued up incase I miss out on anything I'm entitled to.

First time mum also, so this is my first rodeo

Your risk assessment should be a working document and should have been updated throughout your pregnancy so I think your first point of call would be to have your work update your risk assessment to reflect your current stage of pregnancy and the higher level of risk at the moment.

It depends on your role, but if you’re able to socially distance and they have put other measures in place, for example, air purifiers, CO2 monitors and ventilation, ffp2/3 masks, regular sanitising they may say you are safe enough to be in work. However, If the risk cannot be mitigated adequately and it’s impossible for you to socially distance you should be signed off on full pay. You could also speak to your midwife and gp and explain your role/setup and they can advise.

If you do get signed off - take your expected maternity as your expected week of childbirth (the week you are being induced)

These links might be useful;

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

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnant-people.html

www.google.com/amp/s/www.unison.org.uk/about/what-we-do/fairness-equality/women/key-issues/pregnant-workers-covid-19/%3Famp

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/

@Weredone thank you so much🥰 my boss has been off isolating and today is her first day back. So I have already told her a few things I'm not happy with. For example my gp note states no more than 8 hours per shift (I know people are going to come for me for that when others work 12 hour days) but she's already put me on a 10 hour shift which was last night. Worked 1pm till 11pm. Then I worked a 9 hour. I didn't say anything, which is my own fault but I didn't want to be that person when people are off ill and isolating. But when i was in on 2 more shifts I got my break 2 hours before I was due to leave and the other shift it was less than an hour and a half before I left in which I had to ask for, otherwise I don't know how long they'd leave me sat there.

I think they will say it's safe to keep working as we have screens, hand sanitiser which I carry myself and masks also. Just self service checkouts where customers won't move if you need to fob something off. Use last night for example a lady didn't have a mask on so I asked her to just stand back while I helped her and my lord, I got a mouth full of abuse. So I think it's going to come to a point where I refuse to go on self service because in no way is that socially distanced

I know you don't want to be "that person" when people are off and your workplace need you to step up, but I think you have to let that go. Be strong and open with your boss and tell her that, whilst it's unfortunate people are off and you'd love to be able to help as you would have before, you have to put the health of your baby first right now. This means no more working on self-checkout where customers don't socially distance, no more working longer than 8 hours because of medical advice etc. Don't feel guilty or ashamed. This is the right thing for you to do and they should be looking after your welfare! They should be the ones to feel guilty. Your baby is more important than the workplace and they should agree.

What do you mean by the 28 week rule?

@Holskey I honestly couldn't agree more! I did call in on Friday due to one of my migraines and when I woke up I got ready and I felt awful and I said to my partner, I really can't do this today. Because that migraine doesn't last a day, it can last 3 and if bed bounds me. So I really did put my foot down on that day. Which I know my boss will be annoyed about.

This for me is the line now, I don't want to be a nag or get the get out of jail card since i'm pregnant but also feel like feeling comfortable in my work place isn't asking for special treatment. It should be standard

@mummyh2016 there was a rule or law (correct me if I'm wrong) that at 28 weeks pregnant your employer has to see if your working environment is safe for you to carry on working due to covid 19. And if it wasn't and needs weren't met to keep you safe ect, You'd either work from home if you can or if you can't you'd be suspended on full pay until the week of childbirth where you'd then start maternity pay