Light duties when pregnant

Beautyrose170

Hi

I've recently had to take two weeks off work sick (with a sick note) I am due to return to work again and I would like to return back if it was possible. I was wondering if I went to the doctors and got a sick note which said I could return back to work on these conditions such as lighter duties would my job have to accommodate this? I work as a supervisor in a busy restaurant/pub so I am on my feet for long periods, lifting and running round the building most of my shift. I would like to stay in work as long as possible due to not being entitled to maternity leave

elsien

As a starting point, have they done a risk assessment?
It doesn't have to be specific to you but there should be a section somewhere covering pregnancy.
More information here.
https://www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/health-and-safety-during-pregnancy-and-on-return-to-work/

How far into your pregnancy are you?

Beautyrose170

No risk assessment has been done and I am 21+2 weeks pregnant.

sangie595

But no they don't have to accommodate it. If toy aren't fit to do your job, then you continue to be off sick unless the employer can make adjustments. They aren't required to make them.

Every employee is entitled to maternity leave if they are giving birth. It doesn't have any time restrictions attached. So I assume you mean you aren't entitled to maternity pay? Or that you aren't an employee?

sangie595

Beautyrose170 wrote: »

No risk assessment has been done and I am 21+2 weeks pregnant.

??? What is 21 + 2 weeks? 23 weeks?

Torry_Quine

sangie595 wrote: »

??? What is 21 + 2 weeks? 23 weeks?

It's 21 weeks and 2 days

sangie595

OK - so the average human gestation period is 40 weeks and SMP is payable if you have worked for an employer prior to the qualifying week, which is 15 weeks. So the OP is also eligible for SMP? Unless they have worked in this job for less than 26 weeks. I think the OP needs to explain, as the OP doesn't make much sense. If someone has just started a job and now wants lighter duties a few weeks later, that is going to be a very different ask than someone who has a few years employment under their belt.

ohreally

Ensure your employer conducts a risk assessment, this must be suitable and sufficient (this was done to death on a previous thread).

Also look at medical/ maternity suspension - ERA 1996 sec 64-66

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/18/part/VII


I wouldn't be off sick

seashore22

Why were you off sick? I assume it was pregnancy related.

I wouldn't say that being pregnant necessarily goes hand in hand with light duties unless there is an unusual complication.

Beautyrose170

I've been signed off for high blood pressure, spd and other pregnancy related issues. I have been with the company for a year and they are more than happy for me to go on my "maternity leave" when I wish too

I am not entitled to sick pay or maternity pay for any kind (work or government) as I am on employment support allowance (I work 15 hours per week). If I was to get maternity pay of any kind I was told it would affect my benefits as it was classed as an income and not an earning

dickydonkin

elsien wrote: »

As a starting point, have they done a risk assessment?
It doesn't have to be specific to you

Ideally it should.

Every pregnancy and expectant mother is different - as are their roles and duties in the workplace.

More consideration would be needed for an expectant mother whose role required frequent lifting, carrying or standing than a worker whose main duties are sitting working in an office.

Furthermore, an assessment would require some input from a medical perspective - the workers GP or Occupational Health if available.

It would be unwise to assume 'one size fits all' in respect of a risk assessment for an expectant.....or indeed a nursing mother as there are too many potential issues to factor in.