So I've spoken to my union..help!

[WindFlower92]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice as I'm in new territory here and I'm a bit scared!

I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant and work in a secondary school. By March 8th I'll be in my third trimester. I've had a conversation (email) with my headteacher about working from home as per medical guidance if we do get told that schools will open from that date. I was told that this is not a possibility, but that they would follow government guidance at the time to make things as safe as possible. This is despite me sending over links to all guidance that says to work from home where social distancing etc. is not possible.

I spoke to my union (NASUWT) today, and they told me that the advice is clear - I should be working from home with no exceptions. They've opened a case for me and sent over a case file for me to fill out for them. They advised me to get an independent risk assessment done for 28 weeks, and they will then step in if the advice is anything other than work from home.

Has anyone used their union for anything like this before? I know headteachers seem to hate any union action at all, so what would be the consequences for me if I go ahead and use them here? What should I know before going ahead? I'm quite nervous about how this is going to be received and would like a bit of reasaurance/information if possible!

Hope that all makes sense and that I haven't missed any key information out!

Bumping for the morning crowd!

My understanding that working from home after 28 weeks is the current advice whist we are in lockdown. From 8th March the guidance could well be different - maybe this is what your school are thinking?

If you're concerned, maybe get your GP to sign you off until the Easter break?

To be very blunt, some heads will see this as an act of aggression. Others would have already told you to work from home.
If your head won't back down, you will need your union to support you in getting what you need.
Your head can't use your taking union advice against you, although some would. And then your union would support you in that.

Let the union deal with it- that is what they are there for. Your health and that of your child must come first. Have you tried speaking to your doctor/midwife about this? I ask because a colleague was specifically given the advice to work from home from her medical professionals.
But your HT is being completely unreasonable.

Sorry just rereading your first post - is this the
Medical advice your were referring to? As in your HT is going against what a medical professional has told you? They are on really shaky ground and you really do need your union involved if that is the case.

Thanks for the replies. I've spoken to my doctor and midwife, although that was before Christmas, and while they were frustrated with the decision they said to wait and see what the position is at the time. I might speak to them again to get something into writing. I've sent over any official guidance, so maybe something from my midwife will make a difference.

That's what I'm worried about @MrsHamlet, my head seems to hate unions so I'm not sure what he could do as a consequence! Luckily I am considering finding a new school after maternity leave anyway as there's so many problems with this school and this is the final straw for me!

So plan - I'll get some advice/something written from my midwife and ask for a risk assessment and see what they say, and fill out the union form. My baby is definitely more important than my job after all!

I think that is their thinking @hallamoo, but the union said that they need to make a decision sooner rather than closer to the 28 weeks as things keep changing anyway, and I think the guidance to wfh has always been in place since last March, so they've never agreed to it and they're unlikely to change their minds in the next couple of weeks! We had pregnant women in last year who should have been home.

He can't do anything because you can't discriminate against someone for being pregnant of being in a union... he can try!

I'm a very new union rep but we spent a lot of a recent meeting talking about the fact that people are too often afraid to ask for what they're entitled to.

It's very easy for me to say, but I do think you need to complete the case work form and let them get started helping you.

@WindFlower92

Thanks for the replies. I've spoken to my doctor and midwife, although that was before Christmas, and while they were frustrated with the decision they said to wait and see what the position is at the time. I might speak to them again to get something into writing. I've sent over any official guidance, so maybe something from my midwife will make a difference.

That's what I'm worried about @MrsHamlet, my head seems to hate unions so I'm not sure what he could do as a consequence! Luckily I am considering finding a new school after maternity leave anyway as there's so many problems with this school and this is the final straw for me!

So plan - I'll get some advice/something written from my midwife and ask for a risk assessment and see what they say, and fill out the union form. My baby is definitely more important than my job after all!

Your HT can hate unions as much as he likes. The unions are there to ensure due process, nothing else. HTs who like to mess around with rules do not like due process, being held to account.

Get your entitlement and fuck him. His disregard for your health already indicates he sees you as disposable.

Always put everything in writing. If he has a "chat" on the corridor, follow it up with an email to confirm the chat's content. He will hate you, but he already does, but will back off.

I speak as I have acted and have pissed off more HTs than I can count. I don't set out to as some MO, but will not be fecked around. Has it held me back? Not a jot.

I agree with Echt. I let myself be messed around re maternity rights because I wanted to be 'liked' and it did me no good whatsoever. The Head just had confirmation I was a pushover so continued to walk all over me until her retirement. I still very much regret not getting my union involved. I wouldn't make the same mistake again. Use the union to ensure you are treated fairly and legally.

Thanks, I needed that boost! I'm normally such a pushover and am trying to change that, so I guess this is a good first step for me! Will hopefully report back with good news!

My DD has just had this issue, she is 28 weeks and has had to involve her union , she can oversee the live lessons and do work via her laptop but school still wanted her in every morning, (the virus isnt around on a morning) but could go home at dinner time. She stood her ground.
As of now she will be working from home

How ridiculous @simonisnotme, it's like they just wanted to make a point! Glad she got to wfh in the end.