Viral rash/work absence

[Onemama]

So I work in a Reception class and a child came in today with a suspected slapped cheek syndrome rash. This is listed on NHS as possibly being dangerous to unborn baby & pregnant women advised to seek medical advice & blood test to show if have immunity. Bearing in mine there are 2 other children in different year groups also off school with a very similar looking viral rash. Doctor has advised I stay off school until blood results come back which I told my headteacher- she said that if I’m not willing to go in to another class then she will have to ‘speak to HR to see whether my absense is authorised or not’ what does this mean? My doctor literally said I can self certify up to 7 days and if the school are awkward about anything then they can write them a letter but they can’t be because it’s pregnancy discrimination?! Thoughts / opinions on this please? I literally go on Mat leave in 3 weeks anyway and they are not paying me Stat pay anyway…

How can they not pay you stat pay?
The headteacher is being very harsh and probably illegal, as the sentence is quite threatening. End of the day, family comes first, you would never forgive yourself if you stayed in work because of this headteacher and caught it off the kids. Start mat leave earlier, perhaps just get signed off for pregnancy related something, which would trigger your mat leave anyway legally.

On the other hand, may be that you have been exposed before and have immunity, especially if you have worked in schools a while. Hopefully your hospital can do the test quickly. Either way would get the doc to write the letter to the school or you send an email cc'ing HR and get them involved yourself so it is on record.

Hi, I would get the letter from GP as soon as, just so it can go to HR.

I know if I'm off for pregnancy related sickness in the 4 weeks before my planned leave date they will start my maternity leave early.

Also maybe get some guidance re the stat may pay.

Since writing a letter before 7 days of sickness absence is not covered as NHS work then you'll need to pay your GP a private fee to write this letter if your school are asking for it before 7 days.