3rd trimester, covid guidance and being made to work despite it not being safe to do so. Help!

[Irishgal27]

Hello,

I am 29 weeks pregnant. I work as a private nanny for a family supporting a teenage male with Autism. I work in the family home and in school as his 1:1 normally. However, after I reached 28 weeks of pregnancy school informed his parents that I could not be on site in school anymore, as per government guidance on pregnant women and coronavirus risk after 28 weeks of pregnancy.

I tested positive for coronavirus last December, because of this my bosses (the young person's parents) believe I am fine to come to work in their home as I am not at risk of getting covid. I have explained to them that I can still get covid again and as such, there is still a risk to me by coming to work because I cannot socially distance at work due to the nature of my job. However, they are still making me come in to work in the home. Bringing him to and from school and doing things around the house each day to prepare for my cover to take over soon.

I have read all the guidance and know that they should have put me on early maternity leave and I am entitled to my full pay. But they do not listen to my concerns and I am unsure what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Is there a doctors letter or anything I can get to bring to them to say I have to be put on leave? My concerns are not enough for them.

Additionally, I work 50 hours a week - if I was to ask for my hours to be reduced, can they reduce my pay? I don't want to impact my maternity pay if so but the long hours are very difficult for me.

Finally, the young person I support at work, can be aggressive towards me and others. The stress of this has been another concern of mine but I am unsure what I can do about this either?

Thank you for any help you can provide!

[Samcz]

HelloSorry to hear about your situation. I would contact ACAS who can give you advice about your rights and possibly mediate between you and your employer. You could also try Maternity Action and the Citizens Advice Bureau.