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Original poster

Maternity Leave

20 replies

Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 16:38

Has anyone changed their mind about their length of maternity leave?
I originally said I’d be returning in July but I’m now looking at using SPL to extend my time off until after October half term.

My daughter is my world and I want to make the most of my time with her but I can’t help feeling guilty about work 😕

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dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 16:47

When is your 52 weeks maternity leave due to end? At what point in your leave would a July return date be?

dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 16:51

Is it unpaid Parental leave you are talking about? You can only take up to 4 weeks per child per year

Original poster
Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 16:55

My 52 weeks end on 22nd November. I was originally going back the day before the six week holidays although I have never put this in writing. Only in conversation. Now, I'm looking at going back after October half term - 4th November

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PinkFrogss · 26/04/2024 16:55

SPL as in shared parental leave? That doesn’t extend maternity leave if so. It’s still just 52 weeks total between maternity and shared.

PinkFrogss · 26/04/2024 16:56

Sorry OP cross posted!

Original poster
Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 16:56

The SPL would actually extend my leave due to maternity leave being paused but I'm still looking to go back before my 52 weeks are up.

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dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 17:15

You wouldn't need to use parental leave as you can just stay on maternity leave. Have you told them a return date? If not then they should assume you are taking the full 52 weeks. If you want to return earlier than 52 weeks then you're supposed to give 8 weeks notice of the earlier return date.

Original poster
Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 17:16

dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 17:15

You wouldn't need to use parental leave as you can just stay on maternity leave. Have you told them a return date? If not then they should assume you are taking the full 52 weeks. If you want to return earlier than 52 weeks then you're supposed to give 8 weeks notice of the earlier return date.

I've had a conversation saying I think I'm returning before the six week holiday but I've put nothing in writing x

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dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 17:18

Just tell them you're not returning in July after all and stay on maternity leave. Give 8 weeks notice of the day you want to return to work

MuddledUpAgain · 26/04/2024 17:23

Are you a teacher? If so, you can use SPL to "return to work" for the six weeks and get paid your normal pay and then use SPL to stay off until November.

Original poster
Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 17:31

MuddledUpAgain · 26/04/2024 17:23

Are you a teacher? If so, you can use SPL to "return to work" for the six weeks and get paid your normal pay and then use SPL to stay off until November.

Yeah I am, thats what I'm hoping to do 🤞

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Phineyj · 26/04/2024 17:39

Just be really careful payroll have got the message.

I did this and didn't get paid for July and August until the (end of) September payroll...

Original poster
Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 17:43

Phineyj · 26/04/2024 17:39

Just be really careful payroll have got the message.

I did this and didn't get paid for July and August until the (end of) September payroll...

Oh my!

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dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 18:54

What is SPL and do you get paid for it?
is it different for teachers than for other employees?

dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 18:56

So it is shared parental leave but used so teachers can take advantage of it as they don't accrue holidays the same way as other employees do?

Have just googled it

dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 18:59

Be aware its 8 weeks notice to start SPL too

MuddledUpAgain · 26/04/2024 19:00

I did this. Try and get the paperwork done as soon as you can. It's not the most straightforward (it took me, our HR officer and business manager an hour before getting it checked by external HR). I was the first in my school to ask for it so took a while to sort out. There is a website specifically for teachers who can help with SPL as well.

Original poster
Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 19:05

MuddledUpAgain · 26/04/2024 19:00

I did this. Try and get the paperwork done as soon as you can. It's not the most straightforward (it took me, our HR officer and business manager an hour before getting it checked by external HR). I was the first in my school to ask for it so took a while to sort out. There is a website specifically for teachers who can help with SPL as well.

I've actually paid the website to do all the form filling as it looked so complex!

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Original poster
Rose1999 · 26/04/2024 19:06

dementedpixie · 26/04/2024 18:56

So it is shared parental leave but used so teachers can take advantage of it as they don't accrue holidays the same way as other employees do?

Have just googled it

Yeah because our holidays work differently. I'll still be returning before 52 weeks though

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BecuaseIWantItThatWay · 26/04/2024 19:10

Do it!! Time with children is so short, you have the rest of your life to be a slave to work! Don't feel guilty OP, it's just work

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