Pregnancy at work

[roszh123]

Hi I work in a hospital I am 20 weeks pregnant now, I had a risk assesment a few months ago there was duties I do what was a risk to me, nothing was done about it, few weeks later I asked for light duties as I was on a covid ward and they said they couldn’t give them me, I asked to be moved they said there’s no point as there is covid all round the hospital, so I said I would go to HR, they then referred me to occupational health but my manager said they have emailed back saying they can’t see me as they are busy with covid stuff? Can they refuse to see me? I thought that’s what occupational health was there for to help in these situations.. I feel like I am being fobbed off, I am still doing all the duties I was doing when I wasn’t pregnant, it’s really wearing me down now. The only thing getting me through is the fact we have to break up early at 28 weeks, but I heard this might change? I need some advice iff anyone can help me please

[Ketkoot]

Hi. I am also a frontline NHS worker but have been very lucky and have been fully WFH since 20 weeks, I was 3 days from 8 weeks. I am classed very high risk and thankfully my caseload can be managed from home, plus I work in the worst hit hospital for COVID in the area. I think my manager would rather me WFH rather than going off sick!!

Do you know what your hospital policy is? If not I would email Occy health yourself for advice.

As far as I know there is currently no plans to change the 28 week WFH guidance any time soon so you should be ok then.

Good luck x

[Octoberbaby2019]

Contact HR directly, also I'd contact your midwife and see if maybe they can sign you off with sick leave or help you somehow. I think your manager is fobbing you off, try to contact the departments yourself and get a direct answer . Good luck x

[tinkerbell971]

I’m also a nurse in a children’s hospital however as we don’t have many covid cases (not had any on my ward at all) nothing has really changed for me. I’ve still not had a risk assessment though but my manager is saying I have to continue working past 28 weeks. My midwife is saying no I can’t I have to go off at 28 but my manager says different 🤷🏻‍♀️

[PinkBrodie]

I work in the microbiology lab at the local hospital. In our hospital, the HR department have decided which areas are high risk Covid and which areas are “Covid safe”. If it’s Covid safe, you are expected to work beyond 28 weeks unless you wish to take early maternity leave/sick leave. I’m waiting to hear what HR say about my department although we are doing all the Covid testing for the area just now.

With regards to occy health, contact them yourself and see what they say.

If you’ve had a risk assessment done and there’s duties stipulated that you cannot do, you are perfectly within your rights to refuse to do them.

If you haven’t had a risk assessment done, again you are within your rights to refuse to work until one is done

There should be a maternity policy on your intranet that covers your health board. Have a look as it says what is expected of you and what you can expect from them.