HELP!!! Anyone ever returned back to work from maternity leave but pregnant again???

[KIS5]

Hello People,

I am so worried about what work are going to say when I tell them I am pregnant again. I am due to go back to work March/April this year, and this will be my third pregnancy. My first two sons were totally planned and this third one was completely not, however both I my husband are looking forward to the birth and it will certainly be crazy in my house with 3 children. I am in a very fortunate position where I get six months full maternity pay. But I wonder how it will all pan out being that this is my third pregnancy while working for my employers. They have been excellent about my two previous pregnancies and I have been able to work from home 2 days a week after having my first son.

I feel my colleagues will probably hate me and think I am taking the right mick!

Please any advice would be much much appreciated, and I would really like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

[nannyof3]

My auntie went thru the same thing.....

The entitlement remains the same

[Jayne266]

I didn't think you were entitled to maternity pay of you got pregnant on maternity. Can you let me know? Lol personal interest

Don't worry about what they are going to say just relax and enjoy it.

[BikeRunSki]

I managed a girl who came back from ml pg again. I think she was back at work about 3 months before she left again. From my point of view it was fairly straightforward as I continued her maternity cover and gave her something different to work on. I think her entitlement remained the same because she'd been back for three months.

[BardOfBarking]

I found out I was the pregnant the day before I returned to work (took 1 year out) I was mortified (at the telling them bit) and kept it hidden for quite some time.

[happynappies]

I went back pg after my second (only eighteen months between them). Have now had my fourth mat. Leave with the same employers, they must love me As already said the entitlement is the same, and I justify it to myself that I'm part time, so although I've been off four times, no more than a person having her second who had returned full-time. Relax and enjoy the pregnancy, and good luck

[Kendodd]

I went back to work six months pregnant after 12 months ML. I was back for ten weeks then off on leave again for another 12 months.

My boss and work mates were fine about it. I left for ML a little earlier (2nd time) than I would have liked but it fitted in the somebody else moving, I didn't feel pushed in the slightest, but could just see it would make it easier in the office.

As I understand it even if you only go back for one day all your rights are reinstated. I didn't go back after my second child (partly because I would have been six months pregnant with DC3) the cost of childcare would have been too much and I wanted to stay at home with them anyway (and I thought I really would be taking the piss). I never felt at all pressured about any decision though, nice boss, charity sector.

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

With statutory maternity pay it is based on average earnings weeks 17 -25 of the pregnancy, so for some women unless they are back at work by the time they are 17 weeks pregnant, they may not get SMP through not earning enough.

Anything over and above statutory, the terms are set by the employer so it's important to check the internal policy.

How pregnant will you be when you go back OP?

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

You don't have to physically go back to work to maintain your maternity rights and entitlements, you just have to be employed, which of course women on mat leave are.

The only issue comes with how pay is calculated.

[KIS5]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for all your comments, I do feel better knowing that I'm not the only one that has done this.

I am planning on going back to work 20 at weeks, I'm not sure I would be able to go back sooner, as I have to give them 8 weeks notice if I am to return back earlier than the 12mths ML. And 8 weeks from this Monday coming is 4th March 2013, which is the day I am intending to go back (I would only be going back a month earlier than the full 12mths entitlement).

It does not mention anything in the employment policy about returning back to work pregnant from ML.

The only stipulation is that you must have been working for the company 26 weeks, and 15 weeks before the baby is due. To be entitled to six months full maternity pay. So as long as you didn't fall before joining the company you would be covered (hope that makes sense).

flowerytaleofNewYork mentions: With statutory maternity pay it is based on average earnings weeks 17 -25 of the pregnancy, so for some women unless they are back at work by the time they are 17 weeks pregnant, they may not get SMP through not earning enough.

Do you know want the earnings needs to be? I am guessing the average figure needs to more than the statutory?

Cheers

[KIS5]

Hi Kendodd, you say you didn't go back to work when pregnant with your 3rd, did you still get your full maternity entitlements for the 12mths? Thanks :-)

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

You have to earn an average of £107 but if you are entitled to enhanced maternity pay from your employer then that won't matter. You need to check your maternity policy carefully to see what they define as "full pay"

[Kendodd]

I got six months, which was the full entitlement at the time, plus an enhancement from my employer. I didn't have to pay any of it back. Since then the law has changed (I think) extending SMP to 9 months, then 12 months. I had six months paid each time then six months unpaid.

As I said I think you only have to put your food back across the threshold and all your rights are reinstated. I had a lovely bunch of workmates and boss and never felt any hostility towards my time off, if you don't I think this can make life quite unpleasant for you even if the law is on your side.

Good luck