changing maternity leave request

[lovelilies]

(Also posted in legal matters but thought someone here may have done this)

I'm due to go off on Mat leave from work as an NHS nurse at 36 weeks, with 4 weeks annual leave beforehand. This would mean I leave in 2 weeks from now.

I had 4 weeks off with SPD recently but have been back on reduced hours/duties for 2 weeks now and find I can manage quite well with this arrangement.

I'd like to stay on as long as possible, in order to have more time at the other end with the baby..

Any advice on what to say, or how I go about requesting this? And is it possible?
TIA

[MintyBojingles]

You need to check your works policy. Where I work requires a month notice so you'd be too late

[dementedpixie]

Supposed to give 28 days notice but speak to them and see what they say

[lovelilies]

Thank you, I'll go in on Monday and see what they say.

[Osirus]

Can you not just cancel your annual leave and start maternity leave from 36 weeks as planned? I've never had to give notice for cancelling annual leave - I thought you only had to give notice for changing maternity dates.

[lovelilies]

That's a good idea, I'll ask tomorrow. Should I speak with my manager in the first instance?
Can they add the full (tax) years worth of AL onto the other end of Mat leave? There'll be 7 weeks

[nephrofox]

Yes the should be able to add annual leave on the other side, but do check local policies

[Pippa12]

I'm a nurse to. I have agreed to take 9 months maternity then all annual leave in one block at the end of the 9 months. You don't accrue bank holidays tho so your annual leave entitlement is slightly less than normal.

[ColdMeatPlatter]

Check the bank holiday accrual thing, my trust has recently changed this so we do accrue them. Annual leave should be able to be taken the other end, I believe it's at your manager's discretion if it falls into the next financial year.