What obligations does one have employer to pregnant employees during the coronavirus crisis?
Government guidance during of the coronavirus crisis (COVID-19) is that all employees must work from home, unless this is not possible. When a worker is pregnant, the guideline is that they should stay home as much as possible and be careful to minimize contact with others outside their household. Pregnant workers should work from home where possible and employers should support them to do so.
In the event that a pregnant worker is unable to work from home, employers should consider their duties under health and safety legislation. The employer must make a risk assessment, taking into account the extent to which the employee can follow social distance instructions, avoiding, for example, the non-essential use of public transport and staying two meters away from others. When a risk is identified, the employer must take steps to control, reduce or eliminate it by:
- temporary change of the employee's working conditions or working hours; or (if this is not possible)
- offering them a suitable alternative job; or (if not available)
- suspend them from full-time work for as long as necessary to avoid the risk.
An employee's maternity leave will be activated if she is absent from work for reasons related to pregnancy, including suspension for health and safety reasons, during the period of four weeks before the expected week of delivery.
* The content on this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health care providers with questions you may have about medical conditions.
