Parental leave, sick leave or both?

[MB34]

I'm due to return to work after maternity leave at the end of October. I will be asking for 3 weeks holiday which should be granted (they only allow 1 weeks leave to be saved for Jan-March).

The industry I'm in, like many others, is hell on earth in November and December. I'm worried about going back at this time not only because of this but baby brain has set in and due to the nature of my job, if I slip up, I could, at worst, kill someone. There's also a situation going on at the moment there which is making me terribly anxious about going back.

I lie awake most nights worrying about going back which isn't good when DS is still waking up to 10 times a night too!

I'm hoping to ask for parental leave from mid November to January as I think I'll feel better returning to a quieter period. However, as the guidelines are that only 4 weeks parental leave should be granted in any one year, my questions are

• should I ask for 7/8 weeks parental leave and see what they say
• should I ask for 4 weeks and go to my doctor to see if he will sign me off sick for the rest
• ask for nothing and hope my doctor will sign me off sick until January.
• suck it up and return to work mid November

TIA

I'd go back & see how you feel
It's never as bad as you think

I'd ask for Parental Leave. Explain to them how you are feeling and how anxious you are, they might well comply!

If they turn you down then you can then consider going to the doctors to get signed off.

Can you speak to your HR and ask for support? You'll not be the first or last to feel the way you do...perhaps a graduated return?

Have a chat to HR and explain you are feeling anxious about your return to work because you are worried about the current situation. Ask if a phased return would be possible.

Are you doing some KIT days?

The first 2 weeks back are tricky, I won't lie, but once you can see your childcare arrangements are working and you settle in its ok... After a while you'll feel like you've never been away!

Do talk it through though.

Thanks for all your advice, I will talk to HR about it.

That's what I'm worried about blondie - feeling like I never left - the atmosphere there was bad before and since I've been off the situation has got 10 times worse! :-( I was going to hand in my notice after my maternity leave but we want another child soon so I only want to go back to get the maternity pay!