sick note

[tinyme135]

I have had a sick note given to me today as not coping with working with this cold. as it's 2 weeks before my start of mat leave should my mat leave start from the first date of my sick note?

[Wharm14]

Sorry you're not well, hope you feel better soon

I think they can only start your Mat leave early in the 4 weeks prior to your due date for pregnancy related issues but I may be wrong. |Have you got access to your employer's Mat Leave policy at the minute?

[Wharm14]

"If your employee is off work with a pregnancy- related absence during the last four weeks of her pregnancy you can begin her Maternity Leave early. This is the only circumstance that you can alter the start date of Maternity Leave."

www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/staff/humanResources/pdf/returnToWorkEmployer.pdf

Just got this info from the link above, hope its helpful x

[tinyme135]

I'm not due till start of Jan but was going to leave two weeks tomorrow doctor said I'm too run down to work so could I ask to start my mat leave from today as I know I can leave up to 11 weeks before I'm due.

I'm so confused with it all -.-

[Wharm14]

Oh bless you, I admit it is very confusing! I'm only 25 weeks at the minute so trying to get my head around it too. You can request to start your Mat leave up to 11 weeks before your due date if you want too, but your employers can't force you to do this and I don't think a sick leave for a cold will trigger this unless your doctor has written pregnancy related on it. Do you have a friendly HR person at work you can discuss it with?

[MooseAndSquirrel]

If I was you id put the sick note in and hope nothings said till your mat leave. Your company can choose to move it - but I would wait for them to do that - that's if they want to can be arsed with the paperwork
You'll want the extra at the end, so don't offer to move your date.
Currently your mat leave will start on the pre agreed date (in two weeks)
Unless management let you know they have changed it it will stay that way - they have every right to change it, but I know quite a few that didn't bother

[tinyme135]

unfortunately not. it's a small independent pharmacy. my boss is really nice and understanding so I'm hoping he'll just say take it as mat leave.

[KatyN]

I've been signed off for for a month now.. I am starting mat leave from 36 weeks as agreed with my employer before I was signed off.

I think moving your mat leave might be complicated, so would keep this as sick leave and keep the mat leave plan as you made.

K

[tinyme135]

I've spoke to my employer and as it's only two weeks and such a small company he said hes more than likely gonna move my mat leave as there hasn't been no paper work filled in as of yet so it'll be easy to do if nothing pops up.

just want to say thank you to everyone who has spoke about it been a great help :) this is what I get for being a first time mum haha xD

[LumpySpaceCow]

He can't move your mat leave as your illness isn't pregnancy related. Even if it was pregnancy related, they can only start it at 36 weeks which is when you were planning on starting it anyway.
I know you feel bad as it's a small company but do what suits you. An extra two weeks is an extra two weeks with your baby.
Ring Acas for more info.

[CarShare]

Agree with cow- he can't move your mat leave and if you agree to starting it early you'll lose those two weeks. I guess the only consideration is whether you are entitled to sick pay, if you're not then you might want to start mat leave straight away to continue to receive an income during the two week spell.

[dementedpixie]

You can be signed off sick until your mat leave starts. Don't move your mat leave date or you miss out on 2 weeks at the other end of mat leave (assuming you are going back)