Does work only have to do a risk assessment once they’ve received the MatB1 form?

[MaternityQn]

I told work I was pregnant at around 11 weeks. They were really supportive - we have a lot of women in the team so the manager has lots of experience with staff going on maternity.

However, they haven’t done a risk assessment form for me.

Is that because they only have to do it once the pregnancy is ‘official’ by way of receiving the MATB1 form?

It is local authority so I presume they know what they’re doing but just wanted to check.

Occasionally I do home visits in my role and ideally I would like to stop doing them, if this is a reasonable thing to ask.

I’d be grateful for any wisdom, thank you!

A risk assessment should have been done shortly after you informed them of your pregnancy.

Could they have done one and not shown you? They may have thought home visits are fine to do.

I’m fairly certain they’re meant to do it as soon as they’re aware of your pregnancy. I told my employer as soon as I found out (at 4 weeks) and my risk assessment was in place a week later. It was really basic at first, but I’ve had quite a tricky pregnancy so it’s been updated pretty regularly.

If you’re concerned then contact HR directly and ask when you can expect to meet with them.

I haven’t had one either yet and I’m 17 weeks. I’m now refusing to go into the office until it’s done. That protects them and me. I suspect OH won’t want me in anyway (we can WFH) as I’ve got PGP and wouldn’t be able to safely get down the 14 flights of stairs necessary if the fire alarm went off.

I didn’t know I had to inform in writing though. I’ve only informed on a call. Maybe that’s why it’s not been done yet.

They should do it as soon as practicable after you inform them you are pregnant. It should be mutually agreed and signed by you, so you should definitely know about it.

The home visits are something you should discuss; if there is an increased risk to you doing these, due to pregnancy, then mitigation should be agreed as part of the risk assessment.

Hmm okay, I’ve just gone back and checked and actually they’ve known since I was around nine weeks, so about two months now.

I’m currently trying to ascertain from HR what their annual leave policy is so I will mention a risk assessment in my next email. Thank you all!

It's in your employer's interests to do it ASAP even leaving aside their legal obligation and duty of care, as they leave themselves open to a claim from you if something happens that should have been prevented by a risk assessment.

They should have done one immediately, and then at least one more as your pregnancy progresses

One piece of advice about not wanting to do the home visits: have clear reasons as to why this increases your risk, otherwise they can say there’s no reason for you not to do them. Be prepared that they might just find ways to mitigate the risks, but not necessarily stop you going.

For example, one risk you might be concerned about is increased exposure to potentially dangerous illnesses. They might mitigate by telling you to wear a mask during visits, etc. If home visits are a key part of your job, they’ll find ways for you to still do them but with fewer risks.

I’m a teacher and asked if I could stop doing duties before/after school and at break and lunch. They wouldn’t let me stop doing them, but moved me to less high profile areas where I’m less likely to get hit by students (I work with some very big aggressive teenagers - they’re lovely most of the time, they’re just like excitable puppies in very strong bodies). Now they’re going to have to move me again because I have to sit down regularly and there’s no seating in my new duty positions - no idea where they’ll put me next!