Bringing Maternity leave forward, How is it done?

[QforCucumber]

Am 32 weeks but for 2 weeks now have been suffering with SPD, it seems to be getting worse and though I'm in an office based job with a short commute I'm really starting to struggle with the driving to get to work and the general day to day motions.

My only colleague in this office is off next week so I will have to come in then, but, my ML wasn't due to start until 37 weeks. I'm really thinking of pulling it forward to 34 weeks - does anyone know if I can do this? If they can say no? Would I need to put a request into writing?

I will be SMP only but I'm now realising that surely my own comfort and health is more important than working as long as possible for monetary purposes.
I just don't know if to stick it out and try to grin and bear it or bring it forward and live with feeling guilty over leaving them in the lurch by doing so?!

[dementedpixie]

You can change the start date with 28 days notice.

[sepa]

Other than the 28days notice (which will only allow you to leave 1 week earlier) I'm sure you can get signed off work with a pregnancy related illness which would mean your mat leave would start early. I can't remember if this is from 32 weeks or 36 weeks though that the mat leave would automatically kick in

[frikadela01]

You need to speak to HR or whoever deals with this in your office. Whilst it is 28 days some places can be flexible... I know where I work (nhs hospital ward) some people have brought forward maternity leave with only a weeks notice and it's been fine. Can't hurt to ask.

[dementedpixie]

Maternity leave would only be triggered with pregnancy related illness from the 36th week of pregnancy so not applicable here.

[CaptainKit]

Get in touch with HR - whoever you organised it with in the first place, and see how flexible they would be. If you point out that you're struggling and don't want to push yourself to the point where you might make yourself unwell, then they'll most likely waive the 28 days thing. Have you much of a handover to do? If so, make your best effort to get that all sorted so it looks like you're thinking of the company.

I'm starting my ML in 1 1/2 weeks, am 35 weeks today, and really could do with not being here, and that's without the SPD. Definitely do what's right for you, and if that's stopping work earlier than planned then find a way of making it work.

[likeacrow]

Hi. Know this is an old post but v relevant to me this year in similar position. Did you manage to bring your leave forward?
Does anyone know if when bringing mat leave forward you also bring stat mat allowance payments forward? I also won't get mat pay just mat allowance.
Thank you in advance.

[McBaby]

Talk to your boss or hr. if you are too unwell to work you can be signed off till 36 weeks then your may leave should automatically kick in if signed off after 36 weeks.

[MatildaWormwoodRoolsOK]

If you are really not coping right now, you can ask your GP to sign you off sick with immediate effect. At the same time, you can submit the 28-day notice for bringing the maternity leave start date forward.

[likeacrow]

I don't need to be signed off I just want to start my maternity leave earlier, which my employers are okay with, and want to know if this means I'll start receiving mat allowance payments earlier. Statutory mat allowance is paid by job centre not employers, so it's them I need to contact, but in the meantime wondered if anyone knew from experience.
Thanks in advance.

[soundsystem]

With maternity allowance, you need to send off the form once you've stopped work. They will then arrange payment. So if you finish work earlier you can be paid earlier.

When you applied, and they wrote back to confirm, they should have sent you this form - just one page with a prepaid envelope to send back, did you get that?

[likeacrow]

No they haven't sent back the one page form yet but I only sent off the original form a week or so ago so hopefully they will soon then I can let them know I'm finishing earlier.
Thank you for your help!