The UK Government have put together some advice around COVID-19 for pregnant employees. Please ensure that you are doing everything you should to protect your staff by reading the latest guidance.
Updated 2 November 2021
Vaccination
COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended in pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect against COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and babies and is safe and effective at any stage of pregnancy. Eligible pregnant women will be offered a COVID-19 booster jab 6 months after their second vaccine, this includes health and social care professionals. Having a COVID-19 vaccine does not remove the requirement for employers to carry out a risk assessment for pregnant employees, which should follow the rules set out in the government guidance.
Recommendations for pregnant women who are vaccinated:
- A workplace risk assessment MUST be carried out with the employer and occupational health team as soon as an employee has notified the employer that they are pregnant.
- The employee should only continue working if the risk assessment advises that it is safe to do so.
- The employer should remove or manage any risks. If this cannot be done, then the employee should be offered suitable alternative work or working arrangements.
- Where adjustments to the work environment and role are not possible and alternative work cannot be found, the employee should be suspended on paid leave.
- Employers should ensure that a pregnant employee can adhere to any active national guidance on social distancing.
As an employee working in a social care environment, pregnant women are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus. As an employer it is your role to support staff that are pregnant with appropriate risk mitigation in line with recommendations.