Maternity Leave query

[Crimebusterofthesea]

Hoping someone here can help me as I'm a little confused (easily done). Basically, I'm currently on maternity leave and want to know if I can take longer than the 9 months, but less than the full year? The 9 months comes to an end at the end of Oct, but I also have holiday to take (4 weeks, plus 6 bank holidays). I want to stay off for as long as I can without getting myself into financial difficulty and reckon that I could manage up until a year in total, including the 5 weeks holiday I have owing. So basically, am I able to 'officially' return to work in December, have my 5 weeks holiday and then actually return when my DS is a year old? Does any of that even make sense?! If anyone can shed any light on this, I would be very grateful - HR have been about as useful as a choccy teapot - thanks!

Hello, yes you can, so 9 months at smp (or whatever your company pays) then 'return to work' but take week 9months + eg 4 as holiday, then actually return
Hth

If you arrange a back to work interview you can discuss everything then. Make it clear what your intentions are, then meet on a second occasion once your manager or hr has checked everything.

I started my mat leave after taking all my hols I accrued, and will prob be taking the hols I accrue while on mat leave before I go back.

Yes, that makes sense OP. You will be officially in mat leave to the end of the 9 months, then officially back at work but on annual leave. It's what I am doing, but with three months unpaid mat leave inbetween.

I did exactly as you have suggested but I had fully discussed it with my manager first.

Make sure you give the necessary notice of intention to return. I have to give two months. Make sure you have your Annual Leave all signed off too ASAP.

Brilliant, thankyou everyone. I intend to call my manager tomorrow to discuss my intentions.