Can I extend my maternity leave?

[Maymelo]

Hi mums! I have been working for the nhs for 6 years now and I agreed my mat leave for 39 weeks, so I would need to rtw on Aug.
However, I have been diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety couple months ago and It has gone worst with the social distancing and the lockdown. I feel so so under the weather... also counting I am a single mom and I am unable to find child care for DD.
I would like to extend my mat leave to 52 weeks and see If I get better with time. Is this possible or can my manager refuse it due to staffing issues?
I just don’t feel ready to go back yet.
Thanks for reading xoxo

August is still 4 months away. You might find you feel ready to go back by then.

The assumption is you will take 52 weeks unless you inform your employer otherwise. Just contact HR.

Yes, you can choose to extend it to up to 52 weeks - you have to give 8 weeks notice to do this, possibly less depending on your contract/terms and conditions

You can change your return date as long as you give 8 weeks notice

You need to give 28 days notice before you return to work despite when you said you would be back prior to going off.
However I would consider giving your notice to return and then getting a sick note. You will get paid 6 months full pay then rather than the reduced maternity pay. X

Your employer must assume you are taking 52 weeks until you contact them to agree a date. If you want to go back earlier than that then you give 8 weeks notice for a revised return date.. Sounds like you suggest 39w but you can just contact HR and confirm 52w and discuss how you will use holidays and bank holidays accrued...

Re sick pay- check your contract for what pay you would get as not everyone gets the same.

I am also due back mid-August and am planning on extending

Posted too soon!

Planing on extending, I need to give 28 days notice and provide my new date of return.

I’m an nhs worker @Maymelo. Was due to go back After 9 months at the end of June, but have now extended to take the full year. They said it was fine and that all they needed was 10 weeks notice to extended. The additional time is, of course, unpaid.
I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for the suggestions.
I haven’t considered the sick note after returning as I hope I feel not so bad. But I have considered reducing my hours and being part time instead full time.
Also I can’t afford paying back OMP so I have to commit with rtw at some point and i am not sure if a sick note can make me repay it as i am technically not working

As long as you are employed by the NHS you won't need to repay it. They can't penalise you for being unwell. If you were off sick once you have a plan to return you can submit a flexible working request to reduce your hours and you also have the benefit of a phased return.
I guess it depends on your situation financially. I have the financial means to be off until my OMP runs out so always had to return after 6 months- if I was then poorly I would need to get a sick note.