Risk assessments for pregnant employees. We have a night care senior staff member who is pregnant and is expecting us to cover every shift she works with an extra member of staff. Costs are obviously an issue and we did add extra cover for a previous member of staff when she was a high risk Mum, heavily pregnant and we had a few residents who had unpredictable behaviour. This time residents are less difficult and we have twilight cover 5-10 to support the bedtime needs for residents.This seems an unreasonable request – what do you think?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Alyson,

Thank you for your question.

As this is a specific HR question we asked Chris King one of our expert advisers from Napthens Solicitors for his advice and this is what he said:

“This is something that needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If there has been a significant risk identified whereby one of the only solutions is to provide an extra staff member then this should be done.

However, if you have carried out a risk assessment and determined relevant changes to the role which can be put in place to protect the individual employee from the risk identified without the need for extra cover then this is the extent of your obligation.

This may include temporarily adjusting working conditions and or working hours or offering suitable alternative work. If you have one it would be worthwhile having your health and safety consultant reviewing the specific role and risk environment.

You should also ensure that the risk assessment is kept under regular review as risks which may appear minor at this stage may develop into significant risks as the employee’s pregnancy continues.”

I think this advice is really helpful and I hope you do too.

Best wishes.

Sheila