I am paid reasonably well but as a result I get little help from anywhere with anything, despite being a single mum. I’ve realised that going back to work in November will mean a 1,400 bill a month for childcare and commuting costs a month of around 350. I will have very little money to live off and only be marginally better off than if I struggled through a couple of extra months on savings/child maintenance. I would therefore really like these extra two months with the baby so they could go to nursery at 14 months which I’m more comfortable with. I’d then at that point like to use the holiday I have accrued this year, from next January, by taking two days off a week so the baby can be phased into nursery and it will be cheaper all round.
my maternity leave officially ends at the end of October. Usually our workload is quieter in December so I can’t imagine there will be an immediate need for me to come back before January but how do companies approach this sort of thing? Is it just a case of asking and seeing? I presume I have no rights as the 52 weeks are up in October?
also, can I use two days a week holiday until they run out or can the company refuse this? Thanks