Question reference: S5W-33361
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 19 November 2020
-
Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 2 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice and support is available to teachers and education staff about pregnancy in the workplace and COVID-19, and what assessment it has made of the consistency of (a) its and (b) local authority policies for them on homeworking,
Answer
Safety of staff in schools is paramount. Teachers are entitled to feel safe at work and we expect schools and local authorities to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place for them.
Our latest guidance on reducing coronavirus (COVID-19) risks in schools, published on 30 th October, says schools and local authorities should follow the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists advice to try to keep the risk of exposure as low as is practically possible to pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester. Normal pregnancy risk assessments should also be undertaken, and appropriate attention paid to mental health and wellbeing.
We are working with local authorities to keep implementation of the guidance under review, and where there is a need to take further action, we will work with staff, trade unions and local authorities to do so.