| SPA PREGNANCY ISSUES and RECOMMENDATIONS |
 | What is the Law or Legal obligation? |
| What treatments can be done? by trimester |
| What Products are safe to use? |
| What activities are safe? |
| What positions are affected by this issue and how? |
| Do the stages of Pregnancy affect decision making? |
| Perceptions of Guests, Management, & self |
| Knowledge of Pregnancy and physical changes |
| Medical Community, i.e. Local and Western |
| Cultural Influences, i.e. Local and Western |
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The above questions are some of the many questions that may be asked or may be of concern when a Spa Therapist announces she is pregnant
We, as operators and an Association, facilitated small group discussions with over forty Spa managers, consultants, and suppliers in November 2005. We invited local members of the Spa, Human Resources, and Medical Community to answer these questions and many more
Keep in mind that our perceptions influence our actions |
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| Some thoughts and recommendations |
| Each pregnancy is different and each woman is different therefore there is no absolute when she can stop working and no ‘one size fits all’ solution |
| Guests or others may have concerns over pregnant Therapists, especially if they experienced a difficult pregnancy or have never been pregnant |
| Keep in mind what our Therapist do outside of work that is physically impactful |
| Each Therapist has different knowledge levels of the impact of pregnancy |
| Every Spa may have different policies, layouts, standards, and menus to consider |
| The stage of pregnancy affects women in different ways and therefore influences decisions differently, ie smells during the 1st three months, swollen feet – legs later, sense of balance changes, etc |
| Ensure the Therapist can perform the essential functions of her job by working with her, her Job Description and her doctor |
| Remember that saying ‘no bodywork’ and only facials, nails, and preparation may be excessive since many Therapists in other countries and cultures can continue doing bodywork throughout their pregnancy |
| Make a ‘reasonable adjustment’ for her to continue to work |
| Plan for Pregnancy and create a ‘trimester’ Job Description |
| Elevate the Massage table to reduce the bending over with a larger tummy |
| Alter work locations, if possible, other areas of the hotel while keeping in mind their skills may not always allow them to be temporary Receptionists |
| Work with the local Medical community on improving pre natal care and education |
| Therapists, pregnant or not, MUST move their feet and body during a massage to reduce stretching their body unnecessarily |
| Educate, Educate all Staff on Essential oils and how to use safely
and be aware that the global Medical community continues to look at this issue |
| Misinformation and gossip cause most of the misunderstandings about Essential Oils leading to stress and fear |
| Suggest that a ‘thick base oil or silicon based’ cream be applied to hands before handling blended oils to reduce absorption |
| Remember that there are great many safe Essential oils that can be used by the pregnant female |
| Drinking ginger tea is a safe tea for nausea |
| There are many ‘old wives’ tales in many countries regarding pregnancy and though they can be respected they may not be reality |
| Pregnant females may not have their job terminated, whether contract or permanent |
| If a Company cannot alter the job to accommodate the pregnant woman, then the company is obligated to provide leave until pregnancy is over |
| Maternity Leave must be provided – maximum of (12) weeks |
| An employee cannot not be hired due to pregnancy |
