Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

Where Health & Safety is concerned employers have a duty of care to protect the health and safety of their em- ployees and pregnant employ- ees, and nursing mothers have special duties that apply to them. It is therefore most im- portant that any issues regard- ing health and safety should already be in place to cover those within this category. A full risk assessment is required covering pregnant and nursing mothers. It is a good idea to already have a risk assessment for expectant and nursing mothers in place as you would be ready should it occur, however you would have to take into fact that all pregnancies are different and should the individual’s GP or Midwife give the employee medical advice that may inter- fere with their daily working life you would have to take this into consideration and adapt the risk assessment. However if the risks cannot be removed you would have to offer suit- able alternative work. When looking at a risk as- sessment for expectant or new Mums you would need to con- sider factors that would nor- mally not cause a potential problem until pregnancy oc- curs. In a dental practice expo- sure to Radiation would be a problem so that would be the first thing I would not allow the employee to do. Also: • Lifting, bending and carry- ing. • Standing, sitting in the same position for long periods. Pregnant employees have le- gal rights - including paid time off for antenatal care, maternity leave and maternity pay. Pregnant employees have four rights: • paid time off for antenatal care • maternity leave • maternity pay • protection against unfair treatment, discrimination or dismissal This includes any parent- ing classes recommended by a Midwife or GP. It is illegal to refuse time off for antena- tal care, however fathers are not allowed time off to accom- pany. Employers can’t change a pregnant employee’s contract terms and conditions without agreement - if they do they are in breach of contract. Pregnancy-related illnesses If the employee is off work for a pregnancy-related illness in the four weeks before the baby is due, maternity leave and Statutory Maternity Pay will start automatically - it doesn’t matter what has been previously agreed. Should there be no other suitable work, which in hind- sight if trained in Reception this could always be an al- ternative, however legally if no other suitable alternative work is available the employ- ee has a right to be placed on maternity suspension and her wages remain as normal; this is only the case if alternative work has been offered and re- fused. The suspension can last up to four weeks before the expected date of arrival, when ordinary maternity leave starts. All the employee’s em- ployment rights are protected whilst on maternity leave: • Pay rises • Accrued annual leave Statutory Maternity Leave The employee can take up to 52 weeks of Statutory Ma- ternity Leave providing the Employer is given the correct notice. You don’t have to take all of your statutory maternity leave but you must take two weeks compulsory leave after your baby is born. Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks maternity leave. The first 26 weeks is known as ‘Ordinary Maternity Leave’, the last 26 weeks as ‘Additional Maternity Leave’. The earliest leave can be taken is 11 weeks be- fore the expected week of childbirth. DT About the author Jane Armitage Practice Manager of the Year 2005,06,07,09. 25Practice ManagementMarch 25-31, 2013United Kingdom Edition Forgetaboutbuyingascanneror referringtoanotherpractice... Registeronlinetodayat www.ct-dent.co.uk - Lowest radiation and smallest field of view - Scans are taken by trained and registered radiographers - Highlighted ID canal for every Mandible case - Full support for all third party software - Full Support for Apple MAC users OPG/CEPH from £39.99 CBCT scans from £99.99 Radiologist reports from £45 London 2 Devonshire Place, London W1G 6HJ Manchester Mansion House, 3 Bridgewater Embankment, WA14 4RW Birmingham 2nd Floor, Varsity Medical Centre, 1a Alton Road, B29 7DU Manchester Birmingham London