Pregnancy and overheating in the office

[GH1307]

I am currently 25 weeks pregnant (my second pregnancy) and am struggling with the heat. I purchased an Aircon unit during my last pregnancy and I would overheat and feel unwell very easily. My new work are 60% work from home. Unfortunately, the aircon at work is very temperamental and heating can also turn itself on. It is extremely warm in office and I am struggling with it a lot (I am also aware summer is coming up so this will only get worse).

I have asked my employer whether I can work from home on days where the office is stifling like today (to add, I work in a different location to the rest of my team and do not know anyone in the office, meaning there is no difference on the work I complete). I have been told this is okay just for this week and I will need to make up hours in the office the following week. I know this may seem rather petty, and I am happy that even this accommodation has been considered but should I have to make the hours up in office? I already find it very tiring commuting into office and it causes me nausea. I have not raised an issue with my company around this, but nearly passed out on the train a week ago due to the heat and travel sickness, I don't really want to be feeling unwell all week due to travelling. Ideally, I really wish I could work from home with the aircon and not feel like I am subject to making days up in the office, due to warm weather.

I know this may appear I am being entitled but I am also fully aware with how my last pregnancy went this is something that is going to get significantly worse in the July/August months. My main question is, what accommodations am I actually entitled to? Thank you so much to anyone who can help with this!

Not sure exactly what you are entitled to but bumping this for someone more helpful to see. That must be so miserable.

I'm 30 weeks and I run so HOT at the moment, I would literally pass out in a stifling warm room. I feel like an oven, burning from the inside (and I'm usually one of those sensitive women who are always cold!!).

I struggle massively with PGP and tailbone pain so I got a doctors note recommending I work from home for the rest of my pregnancy as I can't manage the walk and sitting in the office. Is that an option? Caveat is that my work can be done remotely perfectly fine and my work would have probably allowed that anyway.

Firstly I don't understand why they are saying you have to make the hours up in the office if you are working from home during those hours. I would seek further clarification on this.

Have they done a risk assessment? If you are prone to fainting or otherwise feeling generally unwell at the moment due to the rise in temperature and you have the facilities/means to work at home then I would class this as a reasonable adjustment. Do you have an occupational health provider where you work?

They haven’t done a risk assessment that I know of (I work for the government too). As for occupational health, I know we have them but I’ve not a clue how to contact them as we’re such a big department.

Thanks for replying! I might go to the doctors actually, I have struggled previously and during my last pregnancy I was high risk. I work with the gov and all my work can very easily be done from home. There is nothing in office for me as all my team are located in other parts of the country and everything is done via email and teams.

@GH1307 it's a legal requirement for an employer to carry out a risk assessment on a pregnant employee so I would raise this with your line manager. If you are physically struggling I would also get in touch with HR dept to ask to be referred to OH to see if they can make some reasonable adjustments e.g work from home etc.

You are within your right to request for reasonable adjustments to be made that can assist you in being able to continue with your job so don't feel bad about it.

@readyforroundthree thanks for your help. I’m nervous as I feel like they just think I’m trying to ‘get away’ with not coming into office. When I explained how I nearly passed out on the train but felt better once I sat down in office, my manager joked that I’d be best just staying in office all the time instead 😅. I just know I’d be a lot better off if I worked at home due to temperature and struggling with the train journeys.

@GH1307 honestly what they think and what their obligations are really are two separate things. I say this at almost 14 weeks pregnant and I still haven't told my work as I'm too scared of what they will think 🤣 and I work in HR! I'm great at giving advice but clearly not following my own.

They legally have to carry out a risk assessment. Raise this asap. Have you got a HR dept? Would raise with them. Your line manager if not.
Make sure everything is via email so you have records.

Email (so it's in writing) and request a pregnancy risk assessment asap.
Explain in same email that your are finding the heat challenging during your pregnancy and have nearly collapsed as a result. Explain that you would like to discuss reasonable adjustments that could be made via a pregnancy risk assessment.
Also speak to midwife/GP for back up and get a fit note if needed. This will explain the reasonable adjustments that you need and give back up.
Absolutely do not let anyone make you feel that you're asking for too much. What your body is doing currently is bloody hard work head to toe and i amazing and a benefit to the whole of society. I think male managers need to have way more respect for their pregnancy employees. Do not for a second let them make you feel like a whinge x

They need to do a risk assessment and sort themselves out.
some managers want 60% office so it looks like they are managing people. But then you can’t sit with your team even when you are all in office as it’s all hot desks and end up having a meeting on Zoom even though everyone is in the building.

do not worry about making them uncomfortable. It’s your health and baby. I have lost two babies and if I get pregnant again then I won’t take any nonsense.

pregnancy is a protected characteristic

They must do the risk assessment, they should have done it by now and after 25 weeks they are supposed to review it monthly.

Also, get a room thermometer to take to work. This will give you actual data on the temperature in the office to take into that risk assessment.

I'm 24 weeks and it is not just the heat, but the humidity as well - it's tough. I'm finding the heat on commute in particular absolutely unbearable, and then I have to wear a suit and it really sucks.

Hey - ah that’s rubbish! Im also a civil servant and I think they do a risk assessment with you once you have your MATB1 form (which to me seems late!). I asked the HR rep
for my team and she just pointed me to the policy and didn’t say anything else. Have you had your anomaly scan yet? Once you have that and get your matb1 form, send an email to your manager attaching it, and request when they are doing the risk assessment. I’d also highlight the issues with office heating. They should make allowances/give you flex working at least until it cools down - I’d push for permanent WFH.
Your manager sounds unreasonable saying you should make up time in the office - def get your risk assessment done asap and then you can push them on it much more strongly.