Furlough discrimination?

Emma324

Im 4months pregnant and have been working from home for the last 8 weeks. I am a plumbing wholesale branch manager and my company initially furloughed 70% of its employees when the scheme was launched. Now the employees from different branches are all returning to work they have mentioned they may furlough me as they can not make it safe for me to work as I’m in a high risk group being pregnant.  

Should I be furloughed or suspended on full pay as it isn’t my fault that I’m pregnant and am in a high risk group? I feel I shouldn't be financially penalised and feels like discrimination. 

bradders1983

It isnt the companies fault either tbf. If the furlough scheme didnt exist you would be on SSP instead.

Jeremy535897

If you are getting 80% of your pay for not working, and your colleagues are getting 100 % of pay for working, I think you are in the same position as thousands of others. They seem to have your best interests in mind. My feeling is that the remedy you would seek is to be paid 100% for not working, rather than 100% for going back to work? You could seek to argue discrimination, but I doubt it would get you the answer you want. 

sharpe106

Can you not carry on working from home?

Semple

That's pretty shocking, others that have been in your situation have begged their employers to be furloughed and told no.

Are you wanting to go back to work full time despite being in a high risk category? If anything the company is looking out for you here. 

Barney_Rubble_0403

Looking at the. Gov.uk website, this might be of interest..  

Shielding Employees

Employees who are unable to work because they are shielding in line with public health guidance (or need to stay home with someone who is shielding) can be furloughed.

Does pregnancy come under shielding?

unforeseen

Emma324 said:

Im 4months pregnant and have been working from home for the last 8 weeks. I am a plumbing wholesale branch manager and my company initially furloughed 70% of its employees when the scheme was launched. Now the employees from different branches are all returning to work they have mentioned they may furlough me as they can not make it safe for me to work as I’m in a high risk group being pregnant.  

Should I be furloughed or suspended on full pay as it isn’t my fault that I’m pregnant and am in a high risk group? I feel I shouldn't be financially penalised and feels like discrimination. 

You are NOT high risk at 4 months. There is no reason why you shouldn't go back to work
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/pregnancy-and-coronavirus/

There's no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus.

But pregnant women have been included in the list of people at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable) as a precaution.

Mrsn

You can speak to ACAS or Maternity Action if you should wish but to be honest I think they are being reasonable in the circumstances given the guidance is usually for those over 28 weeks.