What do i need to do when i tell my employer

[Lizziewhizzie]

So I go for my dating scan tomorrow, muchos excitement! I plan on telling my boss soon after as can't take the guilty feeling when future things are being planned.
I have read that I should go in armed with a letter and outlining when I want to start maternity leave, is this correct? What did you guys all do?? Stressed about it all argh!

[RhiRhi123]

Hi congratulations!
I think it depends on how well you get on with your boss and how you think they will react tbh. I had a man boss at the time and he was really lovely. I had been off work a couple of days with sickness and I just told him that I was preganant, how far gone I was, when the baby due when I was likely to go on mat leave.

I don't think you have to 'proove' it until the midwife gives you the 'mat b one' certificate at around 5 months which is your 'official' proof. You then give this to your employer with written proof (for your records) of when you want to start your mat leave which is usually about a month before the due date. That gives them time to process your SMP (if you qualify) I wouldn't stress about it they will usually ask if they need anything.

The only thing you do need to show is proof of any midwife appointments as you are entitled to paid time off for these. Although this can be before with a letter appointment or take something from the midwife to them the next day.

Just make sure you keep copies of all correspondence between your employers all forms etc in one place for your records.

Good luck :)

[BikeRunSki]

Both times I told them, in person, at about 8 weeks as I was so ill (spent a lot of time in hospital shortly afterwards). I get on very well with my bosses and both times they were delighted. I told them when abouts I was due, but nothing in writing. You do not have to tell your employer anything until 25 weeks, as which time you get a certificate from your midwife called a MATB1, which confirms your pregnancy and allows them to claim your maternity pay later. It is however, in your interest to tell them asap so they can carry out a risk assessment etc.

[LIG1979]

I told my boss early on as he guessed (as i had a previous mc) and then decided to tell someone in HR a few weeks later because we were talking about some training which would finish after I gave birth. HR said I don't have to do anything formally till I get the mat1b but it was good they and my boss knew for planning. Hopefully, you can just do this informal announcement soon and then follow up with the formal document nearer the time.

[Lizziewhizzie]

I get on well with my boss so don't see it really being a problem, just really want to give her time to plan, also at least I can properly explain why I've been so tired of recent.
Thanks for the advice think ill tell her then let the rumour mill do the rest!!!

[melliebobs]

I just told them I was pregnant and they took it from their.

Deciding when to start mat leave didn't need to be sorted till 25 weeks when you have your MATb1 or is it MAT1b form

[heartmoonshadow]

Just a quick note whilst evertyhting for you sort of happens automatically after you have verbally told your boss if your husband wants paternity leave you have to get him to put it in writing to his boss by 25 weeks of pregnancy. We did it stating that he would be taking 2 weeks around the period of birth but that he reserved the right to take it in the first 6 months you can find info online sorry dont have link handy.