Asking for additional maternity leave whilst on ordinary maternity leave?

[MrsMummyP]

Hi, hope I'm posting in the right place.

I started a new job in August 2012 and found out the same week I started that I was pregnant. It was very awkward and I was super stressed about the whole thing. Worried about money as I didn't qualify for SMP worried about letting them down etc (realise that was silly now!) and I said that I would just take 6 months maternity leave. My beautiful baby was born at the end of March and I now realise that it was a huge mistake to only take 6 months and should have taken the whole year. Can you ask to take additional maternity leave whilst on ordinary maternity leave? I can't find anything in my contract, the only info about returning to work is if I want to return early. Also worried as work will be really upset and it'll be a massive hassle for me to extend my leave if I can. Any help/advice appreciated. Apologies for the long post with multiple issues.

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

You don't have to ask for it. It's your right. You just have to give 8 weeks' notice - so you might need to get on the case quickly or hope they'll be nice (depending on when you went off).

Work may be mildly peeved, but could well be half expecting it. Lots of people who say they will only take relatively short leave end up extending it.

[MrsMummyP]

Thank you!