Boss keeps asking me how much time I plan to take off

[Nellieknickers]

Pretty sure this is illegal. But I have been asked 3 times how long I plan to be off on maternity leave this time. Due to a 'happy accident' pregnant with my second DC and found out 2 weeks before returning to work from first maternity leave after a year off. So I will have been back at work a total of 6 months when going on 2nd maternity leave at the end of the year. Not the way I wanted to plan it but life sometimes throws you little surprises! Job has changed from all recognition of old role and feel pretty pissed off with them the way this has been handled but as pregnant again don't really feel I can complain. At this stage not sure what my plans are but just wanted to check whether they are able to pressure me like this. I work for a large investment bank in London.

No they should not pressure you.

But actually it's reasonable for planning purposes to want to know as early on as possible. A polite/neutral enquiry shouldn't be a problem. Harping on about something (whether this or anything else) is poor management. If it tips into pressure, then you need to think about launching a grievance. Start keeping a diary now of when/how these requests are made.

Legally your employer is required to assume that you will take your full maternity leave entitlement.

Similarly, should you not wish to tell them otherwise, you are required to give them notice should you wish to take a shorter period of leave.

I would gently tell them that you are not yet sure, what your entitlement is and also that they are not allowed to ask.

I would say - "why don't you assume I will take the full year, and if I decide to return sooner I will let you know within legal timeframes".

I don't think the business asking what your thoughts are on ML is unreasonable. If of work for a corporate you'll know that they need to find someone to support your role whilst you are off. If you are unsure just say I may take full maternity but I an unsure currently. That's what I did.

On a side note you sound unhappy there anyway!

I had a similar thing. I wrote a formal letter to tell them officially I was pregnant and said I would be taking above ordinary maternity leave (6months) and that whilst I could not give them an exact date of my return I was aware that I needed to do so in writing at least 21 days before I returned. Which was verbatim from the maternity policy. Then every time my boss asks I have referred her to the letter.
I can appreciate Work wants to know and I will give them as much notice as I can but this is my first baby and I have no idea what will happen. I don't want to make promises I can't keep!

How far along are you and what have you told them so far?

You say you'll be going 'at the end of year'. Do you mean end of the financial year or end of the calendar year? Because if you're off at the end of December and haven't communicated anything to them by now I'm not that surprised you're being chased?

Have you given the official notification of pregnancy and how long you plan to take to HR, and what did you say in that letter?

"Have you given the official notification of pregnancy and how long you plan to take to HR, and what did you say in that letter?"

OP doesn't have to do that. She only needs to inform them that

a) She is pregnant
b) Her due date
c) When she intends to start her maternity leave.

Then, the employers must assume that she is taking her full entitlement to maternity leave.

True, she doesn't have to, and they will assume 52 weeks. Sorry, that wasn't the best phrasing. What I meant to ask was whether official notification of pregnancy had been given to HR and whether that said how long she was planning to take (as most people stick something in there, even if it's only "at the moment I think I will take my full entitlement but will inform you if I change"). That's what I meant by 'what did you say'. But I agree, clumsy wording from me.

My boss only asked me once then immediately recruited someone - my job was being advertised when I was only 15 weeks which I wasnt too pleased about, still really early days for all that sort of thing!

There still hasnt been a formal discussion about dates etc and the new person is starting in Jan, the length of contract she has been given actually wont cover the length of my maternity leave but I figure thats their problem not mine!

Thank you for your responses. Yes, formal notification has been given to HR and my maternity leave officially starts from the 2nd Jan. My HR department has said they assume the full 52 weeks will be taken until I inform them otherwise within a certain time period..would have to look through my maternity pack to confirm when. My cover has been arranged, two separate people are covering my role and already work there, so no issues re cover and planning. To be honest I'm not sure what my plans are yet and it's hard to know until I have baby and work out the logistics of having two DC.
I think my HR dept would be very annoyed to hear my boss kept badgering me. It's really starting to irk me though and just wondered what my rights were.

In that case, I'd just cheerfully say to him every time he asks "Well, work on the full 52 weeks and if I'm ready to come back earlier I'll definitely give you a call and see what we can work out."

Or something along those lines. It is probably in your best interests given you're at an investment back to just keep it light. But to go with "stuck record" as your tactic.

Just wanted to offer my sympathies - my job at investment bank changed completely while i was out on mat leave, the last 18 months have been unbearable. I was on the verge of handing in my notice when I discovered that I was pregnant again, now counting down the days until my mat leave starts (THIRTY TWO!!!). I told them to assume I would be out for the 52 weeks, and that I would notify them of any change to this within the required time frame.

I have no idea what I'm doing long term. Scary scary scary, but so much better than feeling like everything is a massive compromise.