being signed off work vs. early mat leave

[angels1]

I've been signed off and on for my work ever since getting BFP (lots of issues I won't bore you with). I'm now only 21 weeks and currently in work on vastly reduced hours and not managing well - mw has recommended I just give up work already as working is making other issues harder. I assumed this would be in the form of being signed off ill until I had planned my mat leave to start, but just read my notes and she has written recommended start mat leave early - I don't want to start my mat leave THIS early as I'm intending on taking a full year out and starting leave 2/3 months ahead of schedule will mean I will have no choice but to return much earlier than planned. I assumed GP would just sign me off for a month or two - anyone got any experience/thoughts on this?

Hi angels1, [waving] from feb thread!

I thought you could only start maternity leave at the earliest 11 weeks before your due date, so at 29 weeks. I asusme as you're in the Feb thread, you're not there yet?

So don't know if that helps, but I'm fairly sure mat leave does have an 'earliest' start time.

On the flip side, I also know that work can make you start mat leave after that time if pregnancy related illness is affecting your availability/ability to work, but I don't think they can make you earlier than that?
When do you want to start, ideally, to fit in with your planned return?

D

[waves back to delia] I want to start it in jan (about 4 - 6 weeks before due date). So at least I know I can get signed off until 29 weeks (which takes me up until early-ish dec). If worst came to worst I could go on mat leave in early december, but want to hold out until at least mid dec if I can.

Thanks for that Delia - v. useful

Also waves to Angels & D - I think D is right, you can only start mat 11 weeks before due date, as far as illness is concerned, employer can only insist you go mat leave early if you are still working five weeks before the date you have given to start your mat leave.

I was signed off from 28 weeks or so with dd2 on sick and started mat leave six weeks before due date. Post on employment issues for more in depth advice (I keep sending people there, people will think I'm getting a finders fee )

thanks wiggles - I'll assume I can get a sick note when I see GP next week and if she won't I'll tell you so you can let mr wiggles on her to smack her bare bottom (lol I feel anyone not on the feb thread reading this will be slightly worried about us ).

Wiggles - it's actually four weeks, but yes, the normal thing would be to sign you off until four weeks before due date and then start mat leave.

On balancing factor can be if you need the money from maternity pay - particularly if your company maternity pay is enhanced and your sick pay isn't.

I'm in a simular position, having been signed off since 25 weeks.

My GP simply put Pregnacy related utrine contractions & complications, and I am signed off sick until 17th October, when I will use up 2 weeks Annual leave, starting ML 1st November which is 19 days before my due date.

You have to start ML 4 weeks before if you are still signed off sick, but I have a great Manager who said to simply to ask GP to only sign me off to that point, "officially" go back and use my holidays so that I get to spend more time with the baby.