KIT days - how did you use yours?

[slightlysoupstainedbabygrows]

On mat leave at the moment and curious about how other people used their KIT days - if you used them!

Did you use them for training, going in and doing a normal day's work, or something a bit different?

How close to going back did you start using them?

[Nevercan]

Didn't use mine in the end as my boss wouldn't pay me for them! Friends either had training or just a day in office to stay in touch.

[Oodsigma]

I used them last time to set up my computer again and training as I couldn't do my job until I was back properly.

[chanie44]

I'm currently using mine and have done the following:

Clear my inbox of the 800+ emails

Read some documents so that I know what's been going on whilst I've been off.

Remotely accessed some e-learning which I needed to complete

Done a few bits and pieces that I normally get time to do

Amending some policies


Have done all of this from home as I can access my files remotely. I did go in for one day as the big boss asked if I could do a specific piece of work and I wanted to show I was accommodating.

[13Iggis]

Have had two maternity leaves and have never been asked/offered any KIT days. Am teacher, going in for an inservice day would have been really useful.
They'd be happy to have me in, but not to pay me!

[chutneypig]

I used a few of them to go in one day a week before I went back full time. It worked well, it meant we all got used to the nursery routine before a full week, I could deal with the inevitable sniffles and it eased it for my DC. Workwise it was good, like PP said, I dealt with emails, had all those back to work chats and basically was in a good frame of mind and pretty much up to speed when I went back for the first full week.

[allnewtaketwo]

I didn't use them. Had no one to look after DS and didn't fancy going into work during my precious time off anyway

[notcitrus]

One to meet new manager who now isn't, one for interview for more senior role. Have spent ridiculous amount of time on phone, sending emails and wrestling with IT so hope can get paid for some of that.

[limon]

Met with maternity cover several times to go over updating what was going on

Attended a meeting

[slightlysoupstainedbabygrows]

I don't really get why employers have the option of not paying you for KIT days. How are you meant to cover the cost of childcare/commute?

Have suggested loads of different things for mine - seemed like a great opportunity to do some stuff we always sat we should do but never quite get around to.

[HappyAsEyeAm]

Went on a day's conference which was a round up of what's been happening and what is topical in my field.

Reviewing CVs and interviewing candidates for a role in my team.

Attended some seminars and workshops.

[whiterose2011]

Employers are legally obliged to pay you for KIT days as far as I'm aware. I wouldn't put it past some to not follow the rules though. I'd question why you are not getting paid if I were you. Xx

[dizzy77]

Combination of training, catch ups/meetings with colleagues & managers, and a bit of a ramp back in at the end. Found this second part really helpful actually and recommend it: doing that e-learning, reading, mailbox clearing was productive and helpful whilst low-pressure days allowed dry runs of childcare, adapted commute and wearing suits & heels again.

At work, I counsel people to think of the "shape" of their mat leave: draw a chart with level of contact with work on the y-axis, and time along the x: at some point after half way you might want to think about initiating then increasing more formal contact with your workplace to help you successfully transition back in, and paid-KIT days are legislated for to help you do this. You might keep in touch more informally with friends or via Facebook and this might be in addition: you also might not want to think about it at all which is understandable, it's your choice.

[slightlysoupstainedbabygrows]

whiterose Mine are paying me, but some will employers will not. To be clearer, as I understand it the only obligation the employer has, is to pay you your SMP when you do a KIT day, they don't have to pay you your normal rate of pay for the day unless you have an agreement they will do so (e.g. it's in your contract, the employee handbook, or something?)

www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/statutory-maternity-pay-smp/working-in-your-maternity-pay/

dizzy I like the idea of thinking about the "shape" of your mat leave. Makes sense to gradually ramp up. Also hoping that it'll give me a chance to sort out any childcare niggles without the pressure of being fully back at work.

[MadameJosephine]

I qualified as a sonographer only a couple of months before I went on mat leave so I've arranged to use mine to scan supervised to make sure I'm back up to speed before I get back to work and go solo. I'll be doing one day a week and leaving DD with DP so no childcare costs thank goodness but I'll still need the money, who can live on £135 a week!