Easing of covid restrictions

[RecipIVF]

Hi 👋🏻

With the easing of covid restrictions I am concerned that pregnant women will not be generally advised to work from home from 28 weeks. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

I’ve worked throughout covid as a lab manager and can do plenty of my job from home but work are not keen (as they require blood , sweat and tears) so I was going to ask the doctor for a fitness to work/ amendment form - can’t remember the specific name of it.

Seems like with the easing of restrictions, people no longer care. I’m totally fed up with people invading my personal space in work and have been counting down to 28 weeks to escape! xx

[Fruitandflowers]

When the restrictions eased last time I was about 3mnths pregnant and I got a note from my doctor to recommend I carry on working remotely full stop. Usually an employer/HR should respect this whatever the reason (covid risk or not) so suggest speaking with your GP and/or consultant. Plus if you're nearing 28 weeks it won't be long before you on mat leave anyway so seems a bit pointless to force you to come in for quite a short period.

[Chiefy]

The guidance for 28 weeks changed a while ago. I gave birth in October and was in the office until 38 weeks. If I remember correctly the guidance had been watered down so much that it put the decision on the employer. You may be best seeing the gp for fitness to work rather than rely on the gov guidance.

[Rain415]

Same as above comment. I'm currently 35 weeks and still in office until next week when I go on maternity. I think the 28 week consideration changed some time ago it is no longer a guidance to let us work from home from that time. Best asking midwife/ gp if they can help.

[Maui2020]

I’m 16 weeks and as a healthcare worker who can’t work from home, am absolutely dreading the possibility of covid positive people not having to isolate at all. I’m also self employed so although my work sympathise massively I’m not sure there’s anything they can help me with as I still have to commute in, so I may have to take leave early and forfeit my last bit of income before maternity. It’s not a great situation and doesn’t help adding more anxiety to our already anxious pregnancies! X

[JoyfulStar]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Have you had a pregnancy risk assessment which is required by law for pregnant women? I would also ask them to consider the risk of catching Covid in the 3rd trimester as part of that assessment.

You can definitely ask your GP for advice about this or ask your employer to make an Occupational Health referral

All the best 🙏🏾💫