On Maternity Leave currently and just found out i'm preg again, anyone know where I stand with work???e

[womanwholivedinashoe]

Hi Ladies,

I had my DS4 last Nov and i'm still on Maternity Leave until end of Aug this year BUT i'm also 5 weeks pregnant and if I returned to work it would only be for one month and its seems silly to arrange childcare for that small amount of time. I can stretch to parental leave for the 4 weeks and then go straight back on maternity leave again but is that allowed and if not would I be able to claim MA instead of SMP which i've always received before??

I'd check your contract. With mine I have to go back for 3 months to qualify for maternity.

Thanks LG I will but your right its probably the same for me too and I don't want to contact HR yet as its such early days into the preg but I also know they need to make arrangements to replace me, so will prob speak to them sooner rather than later. THKS

My firend found herself in the same position. She returned to work 6 weeks early from her first maternity leave as that took her to being in work for 14weeks until her expected due date. She finished up at 38weeks as baby was impatient and wanted out asap. She was then entitled to full maternity pay as her contractual commitments had been fulfilled.

I realise it is a pain to go back earlier and to arrange childcare for a mere 12 weeks but it does then mean you can afford to spend quality time with your two youngest and not be worried about finances.

Also she found a nursery too much hassle for such a short time and was lucky enough for her mum and mil to split the childcare on a temp basis. Both her DC's went into nursery when she returned to work after DC2 and she now works 9-7 over 4 days a week instead of 9.15-5.30 over 5days as her DH can collect Dc's and she gets 3 days a week with them.

Good luck and Congratulations! x

Its usually 3 months, you may have to return a bit earlier to qualify but check and see if how much Annual leave you have because this can be included in the 3 months.