To take annual leave before maternity starts?

[user6776]

I'm 28 weeks and considering doing it. I'm so tired. My body is telling me to rest but I obviously can't at the minute working full time. I also have a 4 year old with additional needs, so the exhaustion is even more full on. I'm fully aware I still probably have 10-12 weeks before baby is here but I'd love nothing more than to just do nothing honestly!

To me, it only makes sense as I won't be using any of my annual leave next year anyway so not sure what would happen to it if I didn't take it.

Anybody else done this?

Would GP/midwife sign me off that easily? I'm fine other than being completely knackered lol, just want to nap 24/7!

I took over a month before and a month afterwards. I took all my annual leave in one go prior to maternity leave (6 weeks).

Yes do it.

Both times i took 2 weeks of annual leave before mat leave. Needed it. No medals for working later.

Interesting! It's a well-known, global company so it surprises me that they didn't do everything by the book... either way, it was fine for me and the extra pay was helpful when I was on SMP. But good to know for future!

You can with mat' leave usually, if you leave half way through the year they have to allow you to carry it over until you come back.

You can definitely take annual leave before and after your mat' leave, this is what I have done. You will have to use your accrued days anyway at some point.
I went on maternity leave very early this time (at 32 weeks), using 2 weeks of AL. Now my mat leave ended mid-November and I'm using accrued AL from last year and this year until mid-January.

Yep I did and I was really glad of it. Going back to work was a very positive thing for me so I definitely didn't need it at the other end, if anything I should have gone back sooner!

I went off at 34/35 weeks and had no regrets. I know people who have gone earlier. I took annual leave owed before going. I then took accrued annual leave before returning. Husband also took annual leave to return part time for the first 3 weeks after Pat leave ended.
If you can afford it you can also ask to take unpaid parental leave to extend your maternity leave by 4 weeks.

I had the use up all my leave accrued before Mat leave started (couldn't role any over) but couldn't use what I would earn whilst on Mat leave (because I hadn't earnt it yet).

I had 4 weeks before baby arrived, 2.5 of which was annual leave and I'm so glad I did - so if you can, I'd definitely recommend! The other option is to start your mat leave early and just take the annual leave at the end before starting back?

Yes.

@gvardiol in my experience yes they would. If you are exhausted because of your pregnancy and they felt you needed to rest then I dont see why not. I've no medical experience but have worked in HR and management and have seen pregnant women signed off frequently for 'symptoms of pregnancy'. Most fit notes are very generic and GPS don't have the time to question things too much anyway.

Just make sure your fit note states pregnancy related so your employer can't take formal action. As a starting point I'd always look to see if other things would help first....wfh, reduced hours etc. But you can self cert for the 1st week anyway so maybe a week of rest would help.

Just be careful with going off sick beyond a certain point as that triggers maternity leave....about week 36 from memory but you'd need to check.

If you're taking the full 12m of mat leave then you will have a full 12m of annual leave rolled over for when you return. The usually policy of no more than 5 days carried over does not apply here.
I started finished work at 34 weeks with both of mine. I used 2 weeks annual leave at the start, started mat leave officially at 36 weeks and took off the full 12m. Then, had 6 weeks extra where I was paid in full as I was officially back at work but had my year's annual leave allowance to use before I returned.

I had 4 weeks annual leave before my maternity started. I can't carry over my holidays and I would've lost it all otherwise. I really enjoyed having that time off to rest and relax before the baby came. If you can use yours beforehand I would do it.

Take leave - speak to HR and see what would work. I planned on working right up till week 38 - planned Caesarian- and ended up leaving work at week 34 due to complications. It was absolutely the right decision for me and I used 2 weeks of annual leave - 2 weeks maternity. If you are considering it then take it as a given your body is trying to tell you to slow down. Trust your instincts

Annual leave accrued on maternity is different. Legally they have to carry it all over, not just five days.

Also remember that they can’t make any deductions from your stat pay so if you are in a pension scheme they have to pay your contribution based on your actual pay for you. They also have to pay Employers contributions based on your salary rather than stat.

This! I left work mid November on maternity leave and am not due until the beginning of January. It's lovely to be able to relax a bit.

I was literally at work on the day I had my first baby, and just didn't get to rest at all. I am much preferring taking a bit of time to get things ready for baby.