EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS DURING THE CROWN CRISIS IN PREGNANT EMPLOYEES (2020)
What obligations does an employer have towards pregnant employees during the coronavirus crisis?
Government guidance during the coronavirus crisis (COVID-19) is that all employees should work from home unless this is not possible. When an employee is pregnant, the guidance is that she should stay at home as much as possible and take care to minimise contact with people outside her household. Pregnant employees should work from home wherever possible, and employers should support them in doing so.
Where a pregnant employee cannot work from home, employers should take into account their duties under health and safety legislation. The employer must carry out a risk assessment, taking into account the extent to which the employee can follow social distancing guidance, for example by avoiding non-essential use of public transport and keeping two metres away from others. Where a risk is identified, the employer must take steps to control, reduce or remove it by:
- temporarily changing the employee's working conditions or working hours; or (if this is not feasible)
- offering them suitable alternative work; or (if none is available)
- suspending them from work on full pay for as long as necessary to avoid the risk.
An employee's maternity leave will be triggered if she is absent from work for pregnancy-related reasons, including suspension on health and safety grounds, during the four weeks before the expected week of childbirth.
*The content of this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have about medical conditions.
He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.
His profileThe content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.
