Organisations representing hundreds of thousands of pregnant employees some of which are healthcare workers have expressed concern at the withdrawal without any warning of COVID-19 guidance by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for employers on how to protect pregnant employees.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM), UNISON, the TUC, Maternity Action, Unite the Union, and the Society of Radiographers (SoR), all of whom provide guidance to women during pregnancy or support pregnant employees at work, say that the removal of the DHSC guidance for employers undermines the legal regulations and requirements which should be in place to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace for expectant mothers. This they say could leave pregnant employees exposed to harm from COVID-19 infection in the workplace.
In a joint letter sent to the DHSC and HSE urging them to republish the guidance – the RCM, The TUC, UNISON Maternity Action, Unite and The Society of Radiographers (SoR) say clear, accessible guidance must be available for all UK employers to ensure compliance with their legal duty to protect the health and safety of pregnant employees in the workplace.
Commenting, RCM’s Chief Executive Gill Walton said: “We know from the evidence that pregnant women are at increased risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. Previous guidance, including from the Government, has highlighted the vulnerability of pregnant women, so to withdraw this guidance, unilaterally, could put women at risk. Effective risk assessment in the workplace is essential to keep women safe during pregnancy. Employers have a duty to follow guidance, that is why we are asking to Department of Health and Social Care to republish this advice immediately.”
The RCM say it will continue to provide up-to-date guidance for its members and pregnant women on how to protect themselves in the workplace during COVID-19.
