Police woman, pilot, truck driver, welder what are your working rights when pregnant in a non-office-based role?
Working Rights When Pregnant in a Non-Office-Based Role
You may see many articles about how to tell your employer you are pregnant and your rights as pregnant workers but these articles can often be aimed around pregnant employees in office jobs based at a desk job. So what happens if your type of work is not desk-based or even office-based, can you still carry on your role and career?
The good news is that things have come a long way with the roles and careers women undertake and often many roles can still be undertaken when pregnant, but working with your employer is key and the sooner they know the quicker they will be able to minimise any risks you may face within the working environment.
Read our article to help you on the way to understand what your rights are in keeping you both safe within the aspect of employment and also on the career path of your choice, especially for women working in high-risk occupations.
Your Working Rights When Pregnant
If we break it down simply there are 4 main legal rights for a pregnant woman at work, these are:
- paid time off for antenatal care
- maternity leave
- maternity pay or maternity allowance
- protection against unfair treatment, discrimination, or dismissal
Whilst the first three points will be pretty much the same for everyone in any role you may find point 4 effects working mums who are in non-desk based roles due to the complexity around what they do and any additional dangers from your rights working in a warehouse while pregnant or retail, through to undertaking an emergency services, fire or police officers role to a NHS role when pregnant and everything in between.
Once you find out you are pregnant regardless of the role you undertake, it is always a good idea to tell your employer as soon as possible as once your employer is aware of your pregnancy they will take a risk assessment at work within your role for any risks or additional protections or safer alternatives needed. These risks include:
- Any heavy lifting or carrying you need to undertake in your work tasks
- Standing or sitting for long periods without adequate breaks within your current role
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, etc
- Long work hours within your work schedule, night shift work
The above can also change the further you progress with your pregnancy as you undergo more physical changes and of course if you develop any complications with pregnancy-related conditions, gestational diabetes, back pain, high blood pressure, severe morning sickness, etc, or are indeed a high-risk pregnancy due to a pregnancy-related medical condition, so it’s always worthwhile checking in with any concerns you may have as your pregnancy progresses.
Where there are risks, the employer should take reasonable accommodations to remove them, this can include looking to change hours or even the job duties you are undertaking, potentially offering alternative duties. If the risks can not be removed your employer should suspend you on full pay.
A lot of employers should be well versed in supporting expectant mothers and new mothers at work and with work conditions, being aware of pregnancy-related limitations within the role you currently undertake. For smaller employers, you may be the first employee to be pregnant whilst working for them so it can be a learning curve for all of you. If you are ever in doubt about a task or situation whilst at work do ensure you speak up as your and your baby’s health is of utmost importance to you and your employer. ACAS, HSE, or employment law firms can be great places to turn to for qualified and helpful information should you have any concerns or issues around any adverse employment decision that may be made when pregnant at work.
Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy and career.
# Working Rights When Pregnant In A Non Office Based Role