Am I entitled to a workplace assessment?

[Saladleaves17]

I’m currently 22 weeks pregnant, work have been aware since I was 4 weeks as I had bad sickness and couldn’t hide it. I have had a risk assessment completed (I did it myself) and as part of that risk assessment working posture was a high priority due to the desks we have and lack of desktop screens (we only use laptops) which makes it impossible to sit correctly. There was also the issue with stairs as there is no lift and the ladies toilets are up two flights of stairs (40 total) - every time I need the loo i have to walk up 40 stairs and back down again. There is a downstairs men’s toilet on the ground floor.

I contacted the occupational health department and had a telephone call which I was hoping would then result in a physical workplace assessment being carried out as I have been having alot of lower back pain due to the chairs being so uncomfortable it actually hurts my spine when I try to stand up. This phone call was about 6 weeks ago now. They said at the time, that as pregnancy was classed as a temporary issue and my back pain was only related to pregnancy that they couldn’t send anyone out to see me. The best they could suggest was ordering a back support and foot rest. I have ordered these items and they have made no difference in fact I think it’s worse since I’ve had them, but I’m not sure if it’s because of the items or the fact I’m now further along in my pregnancy.

I am now also struggling with the stairs as I’m feeling quite dizzy by the time I get to the top or bottom, I spoke to my manager who suggested isolating the men’s ground floor toilet for me to use. - is that acceptable? It’s pretty rank in there so I don’t particularly want to use it, but happy to if that’s acceptable.

Along with this I am not getting regular breaks as we are under staffed. I didn’t get my lunch today until 3pm so hadn’t eaten anything since 7:30am. I also only had two small cups of water in this time as I am in a customer facing role and couldn’t get away.

I’ve come home this evening and just cried the whole time. I am in so much pain all evening after being at work - I don’t get this type of pain when I’m not there so I know it’s related to the chairs and desk set up as I’m constantly up and down all day.

Can I demand a proper workplace assessment do you think? This is a large employer in the UK so they have a huge HR department, i was pretty shocked when they said the company classes pregnancy as a temporary issue so they can’t help me. Surely that can’t be right?

I am at the stage where if nothing changes, im going to have to get signed off because I am at risk of either passing out from climbing stairs, passing out from not eating and drinking or being in so much pain I can’t concentrate. I don’t want to do that as I am more than capable of working and happy to do so.

Any one with experience in this I would love to hear from, thanks.

Yes, absolutely disgraceful.

See quote below from hse:

"Working with display screen equipment
If workers use display screen equipment (DSE) daily, as part of their normal work, continuously for an hour or more, employers must do a workstation assessment."

I would email them to say that as they are aware I am pregnant and am currently unable to perform by role in a safe way and that I will be absent from work due to personal ilness until the following matters are resolved to improve matters:

1. Workstation (DSE) assessment/correct setup of DSE equipment. Current setup is causing xxx.
2. Provision of breaks at a reasonable time - currnt practice is sometimes causing me to feel dizzy/sick, not being able to eat/rest for a continuous period of x hours us unacceptable.
3. Re-Positioning of workstation so that I can use toilet facilities without going up and down 2 flights of stairs/40 steps to use the toilet.

Or go to your Union and get them to sort it out.

If you need to get a fitnote get your doctor to state x - due to unsafe working environment whilst pregnant

Good luck

Thank you for your reply. I’m going to copy what you’ve written and contact HR tomorrow about it. My head is telling me it’s absolutely ridiculous and I am right, but when it’s such a big company, it’s hard not to second guess yourself as I can’t believe they haven’t jumped up and down to help me. They are so good with every other possible issue/concern people have, almost too generous for some requests so I was really baffled by it!

Previous poster is spot on so not much to add, but just to echo that yes you are absolutely entitled to this and them ducking and diving is basically discrimination.

If they want you to remain at work and not be signed off then they need to provide you with an appropriate and safe work environment. That's a basic minimum.

It's not OK to say it's only pregnancy so it's temporary - if that's the case then they should be equally happy to sign you off on full pay because it's only temporary. They are putting you are risk - don't allow it and get HR and your union involved if necessary if you have one.