Dangerous jobs

[lucie1980]

Hey everyone,

Still a newbie! Just wondered if anyone has a job which they are worried about with being pregnant? I work in a secure unit for teenagers and it's a scary place at the best of times. I've told my employers but not the girls as I've been advised not to yet as they may try and harm me!!! I really dont know what to do for the best at the moment.

xx

 

[titch]

OMG that sounds really worrying! I work with special needs children including children with behavioural problems, but most ofmy caseload are pre-schoolers so they're small enough for me to be able to keep them at arms length if they decide to launch themselves at my bump. I work for the NHS and I completed a risk assessment form with occupational health. This was then assessed and I have a letter saying they are happy for me to continue working but if the assessor thought I couldnt work safely I could be given opportunities to change my duties until its safe or if not possible to give me an admin post or paid leave until the baby is born. DO you work for a local education authority? There might be a similar procedure in place if you do, the employment law regarding pregnant women is pretty clear and they are legally vulnerable unless they live up to their obligations.

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

It is the employers obligation to risk assess you and then provide alternative work if the risk to you is high. Don't take any cr*p

 

[Princess81]

Yep, if it poses any sort of risk to your pregnancy you should be removed from it and put on light duties.

 

[titch]

By the way if they do suggest an alterntive role for the duration of your pregnancy they are not allowed to reduce your salary, even if you find yourself doing a minimum wage job. Its gender discriminaton and you could take them to the cleaners if you were so inclined!

 

[*Hope*]

my job was too dangerous so i stopped at just before 3 months! mine was riding several young horses a day and lots of heavy stable work too.

 

[titch]

you're still being paid until mat leave kicks in though arent you hope?

 

[*Hope*]

no. they didnt offer me it and im too muh of a wimp to protest. so im skint till mat pay in april!! x

 

[titch]

OMG Im fairly sure thats gender discrimination!! They'd be hung drawn and quartered at a tribunal! Well thats a bit extreme but you'd be owed a lot of compensation!

 

[*Hope*]

i wish i had protested now really. everyone else take note! x

 

[titch]

do some googling, you might be entitled to pay and back pay for this time that you are not working. Its worth a look, makes a big difference though whether you resigned or they fired you. good luck!

 

[*Hope*]

i was sort of told to resign and because we got on well i did!! x

 

[titch]

Did a little bit of googling just out of interest really, if you got on well with them and are happy with your situation then fair enough but incase anyone wondered;

"Section 47C of the Employment Rights Act 1996 also protects a woman from suffering a detriment on the grounds of her pregnancy. This can include any of the following:-

• Pressure to resign
• Insensitive remarks
• Unfair selection for redundancy
• Refusal of training or promotion opportunities
• Failure to carry out an adequate risk assessment (see below)

In some circumstances, the discrimination would entitle the pregnant employee to resign and claim 'Constructive Dismissal'. This is where an employee resigns in circumstances where she feels unable to continue work due to the employer's conduct (Section 95(1)(c) Employment Rights Act 1996). It is treated as a dismissal and compensation can be claimed." http://www.forparentsbyparents.com/index.html?pn=836

 

[*Hope*]

Ooooh v interesting! i would def have a good case! x

 

[titch]

yeah thats what i thought!

 

[Lovisa]

Thanks for the info girls.
I work in an area where it can be dangerous but my team colleagues are really great so if I ever need any help or anything doing they would always help.
But I am gradually taking note and trying not to do stuff that could put me at risk.
And thanks to tiny I now know my rights especially if I need to do a less risky job/work in a different department.

 

[Baby Bean]

I'm a probation service officer and work with drug addicts and prolific offenders. Most of the time it's ok but I do worry about getting too close to some of them now I have bubba growing, especially the ones with infections and diseases! I know I'm no more likely to catch anything than before I was pregnant but it seems somewhat scarier now! Also there's the worry that something can kick off but that's pretty rare. I'm going to talk to my manager tomorrow and tell her I'm pregnant, I just don't want anyone else in the office to know!

*Hope* I definitely think you should try and get some back pay AND compensation!

 

[Wobbles]

Employers should do a risk assesment as far as Im aware and if not you can request one - I believe this means your role may change for a safer one but they can't push you out the door (sorry if that was covered)? Must look after you and bump x

 

[lucie1980]

Thanks you for all the info guys! My manager is going to get a risk assessment done for me once I have the confirmation from my dr. Was advised that until then it is my responsibility to remove myself from dangerous situations, which is easier said than done.

Unfortunately in my job there isnt an admin side at all, whne we go in the office to do paper work we are in the middle of the unit therefore have to still be in the unit to carry out any work.

It's quite a regualr occurance that we are in restraints etc. My team have been brialliant saying they would 'protect' me but it worries me that I would still get caught up.

I guess I just have to be extra careful for the time being and see what comes of it.

Thanks again!!

xx

 

[titch]

If you're employer is waiting for a MATB1 certificate they'll be waiting a long time, you dont get that til your 20 weeks I think. You shouldnt need any kind of confirmation from your doctor to do a risk assessment, I just did one with my boss the week after I told her I was pregnant. You have told your boss now so really you should be risk assessed. If your work cant find you a role which is safe enough on a risk assessment then you dont have to go to work, and they still have to pay you!!! woohoo! Worth chasing this up, you've really got to look after yourself in the first trimester.