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Original poster

Can they just sack me?

27 replies

Husky90 · 19/02/2023 18:35

Bit of a long shot but here goes.
I currently work in a hospital setting (clinical). I am 32 weeks pregnant and have never been off sick or anything in the 5 years I've worked there.
A bit of relevant info to this post is 1 part of my job is to assist in putting cameras down people's throats. Last week I contracted covid and had a preterm Labour scare and was prepped for surgery to bring baby early because I was really poorly but I have recovered and feel OK. I am now terrified of doing these procedures incase it happens again, I know this is probably rare but the anxiety is still there as no patients are tested for covid or screened, I understand not everyone wears masks while shopping etc but I am not stood right next to them while being coughed on etc. My question is if I refuse to do these procedures can I be sacked? I don't want to refuse my job and there is other things I can be doing but I don't feel like it's safe? AIBU to ask to be taken out the room while these are being performed (replaced by another member of staff) I have 9 shifts left before my maternity starts. Thanks for reading this far.

OP posts:
SmurfingGoodTime · 19/02/2023 18:38

You might need to start your maternity leave early, but obviously you need proper advice.

Pssspsss · 19/02/2023 18:38

No you would not be being unreasonable and I’m frankly amazed that especially after your recent health scare your employer hasn’t done a risk assessment on your return to work. Assuming you are uk or European based Remember that they can’t sack you for something related to your pregnancy

20viona · 19/02/2023 18:39

Just see if they can make adjustments to your job for the remaining weeks, or get signed off sick or start Mat leave early. You can't get sacked.

Greenbeans123 · 19/02/2023 18:44

Can you ask for a risk assessment? Occupational health referral? Could you speak to your midwife for advice?
Worst case scenario your gp signs you off sick then nhs put you onto maternity leave at I think 36 weeks.

Original poster
Husky90 · 19/02/2023 18:44

Thank you, I love my job and want to return after maternity so don't want anything to jeopardise that. I will speak to them tomorrow and see if they will do a risk assessment, I did have one done but that was when I was 12 weeks and obviously thw situation has changed in recent weeks.

OP posts:
Grumpybutfunny · 19/02/2023 18:45

Just start your maternity leave early if your at risk of preterm labour

Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 19/02/2023 18:46

Of course that's reasonable - ask for reasonable adjustments on your return to work, or if you don't feel safe go off sick, or go on mat leave early. Assuming you are in UK all of these are open to you and of course they can't and won't sack you. They will need to update your pregnancy risk assessment after your scare and should consider how they can manage further risks to you and your baby.

Original poster
Husky90 · 19/02/2023 18:47

I'm not at risk I don't think, it was just the situation at the time? I can double check that though, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Husky90 · 19/02/2023 18:48

I mean risk of preterm labour*

OP posts:
Mumof1andacat · 19/02/2023 18:53

I think the doctor could sign you off for the remaining of your pregnancy if you wanted to go down that route but I think that this would mean your mat leave automatically starting in you 35th wk of pregnancy (I think that is right but an HR person will be able to confirm and you are in the uk) however I hope your management might be able to change your duties under a risk assessment to avoid that.

AlexandraJJ · 19/02/2023 19:01

You should be having monthly risk assessments. You should bring this up and ask for reasonable adjustments given your history

Bigmummaof2 · 19/02/2023 19:11

Hi OP,

so sorry to hear about your scare and glad all is well.

im in somewhat of a similar situation and my GP has recently wrote my work a letter stating what parts of the job aren’t suitable whilst I’m pregnant and I should be on “lighter duties”.

id contact your GP and see what they can do.

catinboots123 · 19/02/2023 19:13

How long have you worked there? Is it longer than 2 years?

WelshNerd · 19/02/2023 19:40

If you are due to go off on maternity in a week or so (9 shifts), just get signed off. You can't be penalised for sickness related to pregnancy.

Assuming this is NHS they won't want to dismiss you for completely legitimate health concerns.

FizzyStream · 19/02/2023 20:28

Pregnancy risk assessment.

Original poster
Husky90 · 19/02/2023 20:33

5 years

OP posts:
Original poster
Husky90 · 19/02/2023 20:34

I work 3 days a week so works out as 3 weeks

OP posts:
TiaI · 19/02/2023 20:43

I would ask HR to carry out a health and safety check due to being pregnant

catinboots123 · 19/02/2023 20:52

Contact ACAS 0300 123 1100

TeenLifeMum · 19/02/2023 20:54

You’re very unlikely to get covid again so close to having had it surely? I think it’s roughly 12 weeks. You could ask for an ffp3 mask instead of the normal ones just while you do the procedure.

GCWorkNightmare · 19/02/2023 20:57

WelshNerd · 19/02/2023 19:40

If you are due to go off on maternity in a week or so (9 shifts), just get signed off. You can't be penalised for sickness related to pregnancy.

Assuming this is NHS they won't want to dismiss you for completely legitimate health concerns.

No. But as soon as she hits 36 weeks of pregnancy may leave will start.

WelshNerd · 19/02/2023 21:41

She says she is planning to start mat leave at 35 weeks anyway so I think taking 3 weeks off is fair.

Wowzel · 19/02/2023 21:53

What sort of mask are you wearing? I'd be inclined to go into FFP3 until the start of mat leave

Notaflippinclue · 20/02/2023 18:32

Just ring in sick everybody else does

Florissant · 20/02/2023 18:35

catinboots123 · 19/02/2023 19:13

How long have you worked there? Is it longer than 2 years?

The OP stated in her first post that she has been there for five years.

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