Health & Safety for Expectant Parents

Health and Safety for New and Expectant Parents at Work

New or expectant parents, and their unborn children, can be at additional risk from common work hazards both when trying to conceive and during pregnancy. It is therefore important that specific risk assessments are completed as soon as possible so that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to keep everybody safe.

We understand that this can be difficult to talk about, especially during the earliest stages of pregnancy (or when trying to conceive). Examples of risks to consider can be found in the list below, but individuals with questions are encouraged to speak to Laura Jenkins, June Southall, Gayle Overend, Paul Paterson, or Craig Carr in complete confidence.

Once you are ready to discuss the pregnancy with your line manager (i.e. you wish to notify the University of your pregnancy) risk assessments should be completed and signed off by your PI and/or your building’s safety co-ordinator. Particular attention should be paid to the actual tasks that are performed during work to ensure that any risks associated with these are adequately controlled. The risk assessment should be reviewed at regular periods outlined on the form.

Useful contacts flow chart

 

 

 

 

Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Family, & Caring in Molecular Biosciences

The School of Molecular Biosciences prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming environment for expectant parents, those with caring responsibilities, and those with family needs. We do this with our Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Family, and Caring (MAPFC) support working group, and our safety-first approach to expectant parents in the laboratory.

Researchers look at a screen in the SAH

We have several maternity buddies, parents returning from leave, and members of the Parent Buddy Network within the School. These contacts offer confidential or non-confidential advice on navigating policy, available support, and peer-peer advice.

Beyond maternity and paternity, we also recognise the additional requirements of those going through adoption processes, those supporting their families, and those with additional caring responsibilities - whether that be for a family member or themselves. 

General confidential or non-confidential advice contacts:

A number of our postgraduate students have taken parental leave during their studies. The School of Health and Wellbeing have collated important links, documents, and policy.

Postgraduate taught students

Maternity, paternity, carer and adoption leave and pay policies and documents for postgraduate students

Postgraduate research students

Maternity, paternity, carer and adoption leave and pay policies and documents for postgraduate research students

UofG information, initiatives and guidelines for staff

New Athena SWAN Silver Award recognises ICR's work on diversity and access to opportunities - The Institute of Cancer Research, London