teaching during maternity leave

[metoothree]

I'm a PhD student due to have a baby in late July, and I would like to teach on one course in the autumn term when I will officially be on maternity leave - I've tried to look up if this is allowed but can't find any answers... has anyone else done this, or could advise?

And in case you think I'm mad and should just enjoy my leave and baby, you may be right this is the background: it would only be 3 or 4 hours a week, on a single day. Its baby no 2, and I did the same thing 18 months ago, starting when son was 4 months old. My partner is abroad but will be taking a six month break to come over; he can bring the baby into college if necessary, as it's nearby (hopefully I could ask for spaced out seminars,so could feed in between). And the main motivation - we will be moving to his country early next year, where I won't be allowed to work. So this is my last chance to get the experience, plus I really enjoyed it last time and found it stimulated my own PhD work.

Anyway, that's the justification - the question is: am I allowed to work at all while on maternity leave?

I don't know the answer, but I'd be concerned that going back to work would end your maternity leave. Would it be possible to do the teaching on Keeping In Touch days?

Were you allowed to work first time? What is the difference this time?

thanks spam - yes, that is exactly my concern. And if it does mean the end of the leave, I obvs can't afford to do it - bah. Will look up Keeping in Touch days now.

return - the difference is that DS was born in May, and I started maternity leave 2 months before he was born due to health issues, so by the time I started teaching in late Sept, the leave was officially over. (though actually I think there was a bit of overlap that they didn't spot...)

just looked up Keeping in Touch days - unfortunately you are allowed 10 max and there are 11 weeks of classes, plus one prep day. BOO.

Maybe you could teach 10 of the classes and ask a colleague to do one in the middle? Will you need a prep day if you have done it before? Or can the prep be on the same day as the first class?

It's really nice of you to move with your husband to a country where you can't work, but will you be able to work in the long term? It sounds a bit scary otherwise.

I'd take 10 weeks as KIT and go back 2 weeks earlier if I was that keen to teach the module.

thanks both - those are good possible options.

I think I would need to do the prep day, as its contractual for everyone, and I might even consider doing that and one class unpaid if they would make me up a 'special' contract with only 10 days on it. I sound like a mug even to myself, but it's not about the money...

And moving abroad is not really about me being nice - nightmare UK immigration rules and complications with converting his medical degree mean its our only option for the moment. I will still be able to complete my PhD, just not teach. And it's only for a few years, til we either moev here or I get the right to work. But yeah, a bit scary for sure. Although after 2 years of semi-single parenting across two continents while studying/ working, being a kept woman also sounds quite appealing I must say!