Early return to work... Maternity

[Rad2016]

Are you allowed to cancel your early notice to return to work and stay back on maternity?

I think you are meant to give 28 days notice to change the date you return, although employers can be flexible if they want.

When should you be returning? Do you have time to give proper notice?

Should be returning end of May but letter from NHS says 12 weeks indoors so literally due back 13 June.

Its normally 8 weeks notice to change the return date.

Are you in a shielding group?

Yes I am in the shielding group due to underlying medical issues

I dont think those in the shielding group are going to have it ended after 12 weeks. I can see it getting extended until after relaxation of other measures have been done without a second wave of cases happening

What would your work do if you went back but had to shield? If you would be put on company sick pay or furloughed you may be better returning from mat leave, assuming you are not getting company mat pay at the moment? Of course depends on your company.

So manager said if still shielding I'll be put on SS pay as I had exhausted company sick pay due to terrible illness before going on maternity. But if it happens that lockdown is released I'll have no choice but to go back which is worrying.

If you're shielding it's 12 weeks so you wouldn't go back before the end of June. If your illness pre maternity leave was pregnancy related it should not be counted against you.

See that's the problem. All my sickness pre maternity has been counted as normal sickness. I think I have to speak with my HR

If your illness pre maternity leave was pregnancy related it should not be counted against you.

It might not count against you in terms of diciplinaries etc but it still uses up your entitlement to company sick pay.

It cant be counted against you absence wise but is subject to the same rules for pay

It’s been extended to end of June now but will likely be longer. You could ask to be furloughed.
Also your company can waive the 8 week notice or you could give notice now take SSP for the weeks from the end of May until end of a June and go back on maternity.
Furlough is the best option though have you asked about that?

They should be able to furlough you until the shielding group are told it's ok to return to work, this is separate to ssp

They should be able to furlough you until the shielding group are told it's ok to return to work, this is separate to ssp

Assuming shielding isn't extended or furlough is.

Are you in the private sector OP and have you asked your employer re furloughing? They dont have to do this as you still accrue holiday and theyd still pay NI on you so would cost them money.

I am in private health sector. I'll speak with manager and hear what she says. I have a feeling shielding will not be extended. If I take furlough do I stand at loosing my job? I want to be very careful here but safe too. If I get covid am finished I know that. I had obviously wanted to get back early not realising the covid situation will get this bad. I would've been better off money wise but now safety first is my concern. Staying back on maternity will mean no pay for me from July for 13 weeks which am willing to if that's the safest option.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Wrote my manager this morning and she's happy to revert me back to maternity leave. I'll be without pay from July to September then accrued annual leave from October to December