Working in care?!

[Astra]

Okay, so I work for an agency that provide staff for care homes. I have told them that I am pregnant and they have a agreed to do a risk assessment. After a few shifts and a long chat with my OH, we both think that it's not worth the risk of 1) catching illness, 2) manual handling and 3) being hit out at by patients with dementia or other mental illness. So I told my company that I don't feel comfortable carrying out these duties now that I am expecting. As I don't want risks however small. Now there are no other shift that would not involve these things. But they are asking me for a letter of resignation, rather than making making me redundant? Which would mean I would not be able to go back to claiming benefit? Is this right or should I be telling them something else. There doesn't seem to be much info on the subject anywhere!?

Sorry for long rant!

 

[andreatav]

I work as a home carer, I'm on a 0 hour contract but I've had quite a lot of time off (been severely sick,infections etc) I'm still doing manual handling (hoists) I was on a double up and the 2nd carer didn't turn up so had to do the lady on my own and subsequently pulled my back muscles. My company have now said I'm an unreliable member of staff and im been put onto bank hours (basically they won't give me any hours until I go onto mat leave) if your in a position to be able to get a new job then do that rather than claim. I can't as I'm 19 weeks and if I get another job I won't be able to get mat pay. Xx

 

[RoisinC]

They have a legal obligation to do a proper risk assessment try ringing your local health and safety executive for advice? They cannot force you to resign because of your pregnancy, that would be pregnancy discrimination. If you are in England try ringing the equality and human rights commission for advice? If you want to leave the job that's a different matter but legally they cannot force you out because you are pregnant. Good luck xx

 

[Astra]

What it is, is they want me to continue to work with a risk assessment, but I still don't feel comfortable doing the work they want me to do as it's a higher risk than sitting at a computer or scanning things on a till. They're saying I have to either continue to work or resign, but they will not make me redundant so I will not be able to claim benefits if I resign :/

 

[Lou1103]

I had a job similar to this and i got shoved into a wall, not much manual handling but i do feel there is a danger.
Do you usually work alone, maybe you could work with someone else? X

 

[heatheror12]

Have a look at a charity called Maternity action you can ring them and they are really helpful. Know all the laws on work ect for working mums ect they really helped me when I was having problems with my employer when returning to work x

 

[Astra]

I had a job similar to this and i got shoved into a wall, not much manual handling but i do feel there is a danger.
Do you usually work alone, maybe you could work with someone else? X

I generally work in care homes with other staff, however I tend to do one to ones, but they always need to for personal care anyway. I just feel like im unnecessarily put myself and ickle bump at risk by even being in the building, due to air born infection.

 

[Astra]

Have a look at a charity called Maternity action you can ring them and they are really helpful. Know all the laws on work ect for working mums ect they really helped me when I was having problems with my employer when returning to work x

Thanks for the advice i'll give them a shout now

 

[andreatav]

I work in people's homes and a lot with dementia, if the people your working with are violent or volatile then I agree you shouldn't work with them and your company should respect your wishes. But I would have thought you can still work with them. But if you don't feel you can then try talking to your management again, can they not put you on a different section of the home?xx