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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

aibu to continue taking sick leave instead of going on maternity?

43 replies

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 08:56

I just wondered what others thought- I was ok until 29 weeks and suddenly started having fainting episodes. They made me feel dreadful- completely wiped out and scared of them happening again. I decided to take some time off and went to the doctors who signed me off for a month. I'm two weeks in to that month, much more rested, but had another fainting episode yesterday. I was planning to go back to work on Monday for three weeks to finish up before going on mat leave at 35 weeks.

I am now feeling like I would really prefer not to go back on Monday but take the rest of the sick time until going back and finishing off.... I feel as though I should just start maternity early but finances are a factor, as well as not wanting to leave all my work up in the air - I'll get basic smp but nothing more so it will make a big difference. I should say I'm a temp, love where I work, been there a year and certainly don't want to piss them off.
Thoughts grate fully received but please be gentle, I'm a little hormonal and not really thinking straight!

OP posts:

KnackeredMuchly · 17/10/2014 08:59

Yanbu - rest.

Original poster

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 08:59

Thanks knackered.

OP posts:

Nanny0gg · 17/10/2014 09:00

I think if you've been signed off, you've been signed off for a reason and you should take the time, hopefully being able to go back for your last week.

If it had happened earlier in your pregnancy (as it did in mine) you wouldn't have even thought of starting ML early.

It's just one of those things.

Good luck for the rest of the time - put your feet up and make the most of it!

jasper · 17/10/2014 09:01

Monday is along way away. With any luck you will feel well by then and can return to work.
hope you get better soon and good luck with the baby.

Original poster

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 09:02

Thanks Nanny... I'm most scared they will think I'm taking the piss but do so want to rest!

OP posts:

Original poster

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 09:04

Thanks jasper - need to let my manager know today, we agreed I'd text

OP posts:

greenfolder · 17/10/2014 09:06

honestly- in the overall scheme of things do not worry about whether they think you are taking the piss or not.

you have to have your doctors sign off to take this as sick and you have. the law states that maternity leave starts automatically if you have pregnancy related sickness after 36 weeks.

if you are not fit to work, act accordingly

Original poster

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 09:06

Thanks green- that makes sense

OP posts:

manicinsomniac · 17/10/2014 09:10

I think it depends on your job and how thick your skin is.

Legally and medically - YANBU

Morally - I don't know. If other people are having to cover your work as well as their own then I think you should be taking ML early so that a replacement does your work. If other people aren't doing your work then I don't think it matters so much.

duckbilled · 17/10/2014 09:14

Your health and your baby come first. As others have said if the doctor signs you off then there is a reason! I know you feel a obligation to work but please do try not to feel guilty

Original poster

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 09:15

Others not doing my work, totally take your point manic. Thin skin over here!

OP posts:

Chunderella · 17/10/2014 09:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 09:17

Thanks duck - it's so hard not to

OP posts:

bedraggledmumoftwo · 17/10/2014 09:18

Of course you should be on sick leave, you are certifiably sick. There are laws about this for a reason, and you don't need to worry about sick absence policies as pregnancy related illness is excepted. You have to take mat leave at 36 weeks if sick but it sounds like you will be on ml before then anyway. You need to do what is best for you and your baby.

Original poster

sangfreude · 17/10/2014 09:19

Thanks chunder. I would but I really want to finish up- I have sole responsibility for a number of small projects and would really be leaving a mess behind if I don't

OP posts:

bedraggledmumoftwo · 17/10/2014 09:22

When i was on crutches and codeine with spd with dd1, the doctor asked me when i was due to go on mat leave and put that as the date on my fit note. I actually did wfh some of the time but it was comforting to know i was signed off. You don't have to go back at all before mat leave if you aren't well enough, but that can be sick leave until36 weeks then mat leave from then.

ZuluBob · 17/10/2014 09:27

How about going in for a few half days IF you are up to it. It would show Your collegues that you are not skiving and would mean you could finish up some of your work. I find it nearly impossible to gauge how sick I am sometimes - if you go in for a half day then you would be able to see how you felt.

Hope you feel better soon.

ireallydontlikemonday · 17/10/2014 09:29

I was signed off from 21 weeks, long story, I felt really guilty but the health of my babies was ultimately more important. In the end they put in an early appearance and that triggered my maternity but I was 'sick' for 10 weeks. You have to do what you need to do - sickness in pregnancy cannot be held against your hr record so don't worry from that point of view.

Penfold007 · 17/10/2014 09:30

Your gp signed you off for four weeks for a reason. If your considering going back early you need to see the gp again to see if you are fit to work. What happens if you go back early and have,an episode?

Norfolkandchance1234 · 17/10/2014 09:35

Don't worry about going back to work till you feel ready, your GP may sign you off further after this 4 weeks anyway and then your maternity will start. You are pregnant and Ill, these things happen. Please don't worry about it. No one will want you back at work feeling rotten esp as there is you and your baby to think about. In my working experience it is never a good idea to drag yourself into work when you are Ill as you make mistakes, get grumpy and get into more trouble than staying away getting yourself better quicker.

Aridane · 17/10/2014 09:41

Disagree that you should take it as early maternity leave. Take it as sick leave - but as a matter of courtesy, let your employers know if sick leave is likely to last until maternity leave starts so they can plan accordingly

flowery · 17/10/2014 09:42

What sick pay are you entitled to?

Norfolkandchance1234 · 17/10/2014 09:43

Yes I agree do not take maternity leave early

Caboodle · 17/10/2014 10:28

Just a point re a previous post - if you are off sick I'm not sure it's wise to just go in as and when you feel OK. notwithstanding insurance issues it could make your colleagues think 'oh, she's ok'.
YANBU to take the time off sick though; and, as others have said, if you are signed off it's for a reason. I speak as one who always felt faint / out of breath / had palpitations during pregnancy....it was made worse by my constant feelings of guilt about work.

sparechange · 17/10/2014 11:14

I am pretty sure that if you are off sick with a pregnancy-related illness towards the end of your pregnancy, your employer can insist on you starting your maternity leave?

I suppose you could get your doctor to say that your fainting isn't pregnancy related, but I think they can backdate your maternity leave start date if you are off sick continuously between now and your due date

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