Teaching Assistant Maternity Leave

[Lettuceleaf37]

Hello,

I’m wondering if anyone could offer some advice. I currently work as a teaching assistant on a 39 week contract (paid evenly over 12 months of the year). I am expecting and have a due date of mid June.

Our school is currently on half term and is due to resume on Monday 12th June. I have been told that if baby has not arrived and I can make it to work on Monday June 12th- my maternity leave will begin on June 13th as planned (and advised via my MatB1 form). However- I have been advised that if baby arrives during this half term break, then my maternity leave will be dated as beginning on the 1st day that the half term break began- which for me would be 27th May. Effectively- it seems I’ll lose up to two weeks of my maternity leave regardless of whatever date it may arrive if it happens within half term. Thanks in advance 🙂

That seems a bit odd. I’m a teacher, my baby arrived earlier than planned, during the Spring break. My mat leave officially started the day she was born. I wouldn’t have been paid for all the holidays as some are holidays and some are school closure days so when I worked out my holidays when I returned this was factored in. Has hr said they will start it early? We’re you working the week leading up to the birth?

you have been misinformed. If the baby arrives during half term, your Mat leave must start the day after. (Work in School HR, I know what I’m taking about 😉)

Your maternity leave would start from the date after your baby was born. They are incorrect!