Any teachers?

[Pemsy]

Hi all

I am a part time teacher and just wondering if there is any more on here?

Before the summer our school didn’t allow any pregnant staff in school.

I have fallen pregnant over the holidays which makes me feel like I’m in limbo.

Our school starts back Thursday although I don’t start until Monday the 7th. I emailed my head last week to make him aware but I am yet to hear a response. I explained that I was anticipating a change in procedure come September and so was seeking clarification of what to do.

I am yet to hear a reply. My plan is to email again on Wednesday before the school opens and then call on the first two training days if I still haven’t heard back.

I suspect I will be asked to come in however, I’m not sure about the larger training sessions or whether they’d prefer me to attend via zoom. My role is also one that requires me to work with individuals in classes across the school. This would be going between pods which was previously not allowed.

I was just wondering what other schools are doing?

 

[Xsarahh]

Hi,

You’ll need a risk assessment in place all schools are handling things really differently though. Some teachers are having appointments with occupational health to check they’re fit to work. I’m part time Year 1 and have worked from home since March. The head was told by HR that it would be safe for me to return to work in Sept and that I could no longer work from home as there would be no more home learning. On my risk assessment it says that I would work with children 1:1 in my own area, children would wash hands before coming to me and I’d be provided with full PPE. She has now changed her mind because I’m over 28 weeks said I need to work from home again.

Twinkl have a FB group called Twinkl pregnancy, baby and toddler club. Lots of similar posts on there.

 

[Princess81]

Your occupational health department should refer to RCOG guidelines. it has been recently updated basically saying safe working conditions to 28 weeks then you need to be provided with alternate options that aren’t public facing. I’m a midwife and have made the choice to remain clinical. I’ll stop at 28 weeks and do admin from home x

 

[EmilyMaria]

Your occupational health department should refer to RCOG guidelines. it has been recently updated basically saying safe working conditions to 28 weeks then you need to be provided with alternate options that aren’t public facing. I’m a midwife and have made the choice to remain clinical. I’ll stop at 28 weeks and do admin from home x

It is interesting to me that the requirement to provide alternate options that are not public facing kicks in at 28 weeks. Personally I feel that risk would be worse for the baby if mum catches COVID earlier in the pregnancy when bub is more developmentally immature.
Of course we will know more when there is more data available to look at regarding COVID and pregnancy.

 

[Princess81]

It is interesting to me that the requirement to provide alternate options that are not public facing kicks in at 28 weeks. Personally I feel that risk would be worse for the baby if mum catches COVID earlier in the pregnancy when bub is more developmentally immature.
Of course we will know more when there is more data available to look at regarding COVID and pregnancy.

I imagine with knowledge at its infancy at present, what we do know is that it’s possible to transfer from mother to baby via vertical transmission. And they usually look to protect the mother over the unborn x

 

[CrazyChic]

I'm a hairdresser and I'm still working at 29 weeks

 

[Princess81]

I'm a hairdresser and I'm still working at 29 weeks

Are you self employed?

 

[CrazyChic]

Are you self employed?

No employed

 

[Princess81]

No employed

Then your employer needs to look at the RCOG guidelines for pregnant workers

 

[CrazyChic]

Ah ok. Thanks

 

[CrazyChic]

I've just looked over it, and there is no adjustments that can be made to my work. I'm already wearing a visor and a mask and the clients are wearing a mask too

 

[Princess81]

The onus is very much on employers to make sure you’re safe. Just make sure you stay well aware of any changes to these guidelines.

 

[Sydney]

It is interesting to me that the requirement to provide alternate options that are not public facing kicks in at 28 weeks. Personally I feel that risk would be worse for the baby if mum catches COVID earlier in the pregnancy when bub is more developmentally immature.
Of course we will know more when there is more data available to look at regarding COVID and pregnancy.

Agree in terms of high temps and a developing baby for sure. But a lot of this 28/40 recommendation has to do with the physiological changes of the mother - pregnancy already greatly impacts the respiratory system due to the demands of the growing baby. The flu is very dangerous in later pregnancy so they are very much taking that stance with covid too.

 

[Sydney]

I've just looked over it, and there is no adjustments that can be made to my work. I'm already wearing a visor and a mask and the clients are wearing a mask too

There is a lot of employment legislation that protects pregnant women in general. As Princess said, it's very much on them to make arrangements for you.

 

[EmilyMaria]

Agree in terms of high temps and a developing baby for sure. But a lot of this 28/40 recommendation has to do with the physiological changes of the mother - pregnancy already greatly impacts the respiratory system due to the demands of the growing baby. The flu is very dangerous in later pregnancy so they are very much taking that stance with covid too.

I agree, my main concern was primarily with being febrile in my early pregnancy and the impact on the baby.
The health advice I have seen regarding pregnancy and COVID has at times been downright baffling. But I do not live in the UK so I'm still face to face contact at work until I decide to go on Mat leave. (There are no COVID cases in my area luckily).