Arg, why did I tell work a return date BEFORE the baby arrived????

[GnocchiNineDoors]

Am very cross with myself.

Before leaving for my maternity leave, I put in writing to the HR Dept when I would be starting my leave, how many weeks leave I wanted to take and then asked if I could add 4 weeks AL on the end. I would be taking 7 months Mat Leave and 1 month Annual Leave.

Anyways, that would mean I re-start work at the beginning of August. HOWEVER the childcare I have inplace for when I return to work doesn't have a place until the start of September. I will be putting DD with a Childminder, and after finding the right one for me, I'm not in any way going to look for an alternative.

So, after speaking to work today, they say that as my ML was officially due to end 29th June (according to my letter), and I need to give 8 weeks notice of any changes, then they would expect me back as scheduled at the start of August. I have explained the situation to my Manager, and apologised as I really did not realise I had to give 8 weeks notice of any changes (I thought it was a month) and she will speak to HR and see what they can do.

Why oh why didn;t I just leave well alone and let them think I was going to take a full year??? Foolish!

Can DH take some leave to fill in too?

I suppose I could take unpaid parental leave to plug the gap, it's just that I manage a little department and they've specifically hired someone to fill my position while I'm away and contracted her till the date I was due to return.

She has said she'd be happy to stay on another month, so hopefully HR will say yes, I can change my dates. I need to put it in writing and take it in on Friday.

I cant believe that your HR department would refuse you, if it is a case of you having more mat leave that you are entitled to; but just not giving the correct notice period??? that would be really tight of them. Plus-you are giving them 6 weeks!!! you are only short by 2 weeks. Its not like you phoned up the day before you were due back

I think you are worrying over nowt. I HOPE you are. If they really ARE that mean, you should tell them to stick their job up their collective arse.

they are 'not allowed' to ask you when you are returning anyhow are they; arent they supposed to assume you will be taking the full year and then you let them know when you are going back??