3. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Coronavirus

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:15 pm on 30 December 2020.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 1:15, 30 December 2020

I think it's an interesting question that the Member raises when it comes to staff being furloughed. The starting point is, should an employee be shielding—and we've given clear advice that if you're on the previous shielded list—then our advice is if you can't work from home securely, then our advice is not to go to work, and there's written confirmation of that advice going out to people. For people who are pregnant, just being pregnant isn't a reason for people to undertake that form of shielding advice; it would specifically apply, though, to pregnant women who also have, in particular, heart conditions as well, whether congenital or acquired. In that instance, they would fall within the ambit of the announcement that was made on 22 December, and our advice would be they should not attend work outside home. It is still then a matter of people having a conversation with their employers, and we would expect employers to be sensitive and understanding, even if a pregnant woman is not within the shielded category, to responsibly have that conversation with them and to understand the additional stress and strain that may provide for the woman and her child. So, in those circumstances, it may be that an option is to be furloughed. But that's a conversation that the pregnant woman should have with her employer, and obviously, I'd encourage anyone in that position to make sure they have joined a trade union within the workplace to be supported in having that conversation.