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<p>Ministers and officials regularly discuss a wide range of issues relating to Coronavirus
and employment rights. Existing legislation and public health guidance covering the
health and safety of pregnant women in the workplace puts in place protections to
cover the risks pregnant women may face during the Coronavirus outbreak. The Department
of Health and Social Care is also working with the Health and Safety Executive, the
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Midwives and
health departments in the devolved nations on developing guidance on occupational
health advice for pregnant women in the workplace. The Department plans to publish
the guidance shortly.</p><p> </p><p>Under current public health guidance, pregnant
women are in the clinically vulnerable group. This means that they are advised to
work from home where it is possible to do so. Where working from home is not possible,
pregnant women can attend a place of work provided this is supported by the employer's
health and safety risk assessment and particular attention is paid to social distancing
guidelines. Guidance on working safely can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>A small number of pregnant women are considered to be clinically extremely
vulnerable. Current guidance strongly advises that clinically extremely vulnerable
individuals work from home. Where this is not possible they are advised not to attend
work for this period of restrictions. The guidance makes clear that pregnant women
who are clinically extremely vulnerable and cannot work from home should be suspended
on full pay. This is in line with normal requirements under regulation 16(3) of the
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. This guidance can be found
here: <a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/protect-people.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=coronavirus&utm_term=more-2&utm_content=digest-10-jul-20#pregnant_workers"
target="_blank">https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/protect-people.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=coronavirus&utm_term=more-2&utm_content=digest-10-jul-20#pregnant_workers</a>.</p><p>
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