Maternity leave period from 9 to 12 months

[nicsnigsnags]

Hello

I was wondering if it was possible, after 9 months paid maternity leave, you wanted to take another month unpaid, is this possible or do you have to take the full 12 months if you see what I mean.

Am on stat maternity pay just now and my return date is end of Jan, I really would like to try and extend this but can't afford to take the additional 3 months unpaid but could perhaps manage a month.

I suppose what I'm asking is it an all or nothing scenario

Thanks

[Confusedfirsttimemum]

You can take whether amount of the unpaid leave you like. You just have to give 8 weeks' notice if you're going back earlier than you originally said. If you can manage one month financially, go for it!

[chocolaterabbit]

Remember you should be able to take all holiday accrued while you're off so you can add that on as well.

[nicsnigsnags]

Yes, I was going to take the holidays and go back mid February, unfortunately I had to use 4 weeks of my leave at before my Mat leave started as I had SPD then a lovely gallstone and I didn't want to go onto half sick pay so used the annual leave instead so that's why I don't have that much.

Thinking of what I can sell to get some cash to stay off! Just don't feel ready at all and quite stressed about everything, (no differenet to millions of other women, I know)