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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Solicitors

31 replies

Almondbiscotti · 07/01/2016 22:50

How many years pqe were you before going on mat leave? Don't want to go too soon as fear that I won't have a job to go back too...! Thanks X

OP posts:

shelbTa · 09/01/2016 16:16

No way pink too!

I'll only be 16-17 months at my current firm once I go on mat leave and I'm terrified of how they are going to react - lead balloon I'm thinking.

harrietm87 · 09/01/2016 16:32

shelb I think that's completely fine. No point worrying about it - they'll have to accept it!

Are you entitled to enhanced maternity package? I think it's 2 yrs continuous service for me.

Me624 · 09/01/2016 16:33

Pink my feeling is that how long you've been there has little bearing on how you're treated when you're pregnant but is more important when you go back. The feeling I get from my firm is that a bit more slack is given to people who have put in a few good years of hard work and have proved their ability and use to the firm, and who then need to take it easier for a few years when juggling childcare, compared to someone who's only been at the firm for a year or so and maybe hasn't achieved an awful lot in that time.

Having said that, I completely agree with what you say that it shouldn't dictate when you TTC. For some it takes years, for me it took a lot longer than I thought it would.

Pinklily1 · 09/01/2016 16:35

Haha, yes Shelb, we're all coming out the woodwork now!

I think 16-17 months is fine, and like Harriet says, they will just have to lump it!

shelbTa · 09/01/2016 16:47

Thanks Harriett, pink. And I agree with you me that it more likely has a bearing on you when you return to work.

My area is quite niche so not sure if they would replace me over mat leave. I'm not sure they would let me reduce my hours either once I return. Honestly, I'm half wishing I hadn't got pregnant quite so quickly (cycle one as you know pink and Harriett!) - it's done now but the work thing is consuming a lot of me at the moment.

Harriett - it's two years for us too so I wouldn't get enhanced mat leave.

Lauraqc · 10/01/2016 23:30

11 pqe here - and 2.5 years TTC! I'd say don't put it off - you never know how long it will take. Also if you're good at your job your firm will just be glad you're coming back!

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