Working until the baby arrives (possibly past due date)

[Iswallowedawatermelon]

Has anyone done this? I know I am technically allowed as they can't discriminate against me because I'm pregnant but I was interested in what others thought as I feel a bit guilty about it.

I do temping part time and my agency don't know my due date and I'm still feeling very well at the moment (37 weeks) and don't want to stop work just because of 'dates'. We desperately need the money and I have been quite vague with regards to my due date at the workplaces I temp at, so I was considering I would just continue working as much as I could until the baby actually arrives.

Matetnity leave is enforced (I believe) the day after your baby arrives and you cannot work in first 6 weeks

My first thought is that it's more convenient for the employer to know when they can get someone else to replace you, but that also depends on how crutial your job is.

Otherwise, unless it's a physically demanding job I can't see why you can't work till the baby pops out.

I'm working up to my due date but then I have to begin my maternity leave. Im a teacher and I thought that you only had to take 2 weeks leave by law.

It's only temp work so I don't need to give notice or anything like that. That's why I have been deliberately vague with my due date when people have asked at work, it really is no business of theirs as I get no maternity leave or pay etc.

The minimum leave is 2 weeks (4 weeks if you work in a factory).

Yes but the 2 weeks leave can start after the baby arrives (even if the baby arrives 2 weeks after my due date) from what I've read, so I'm fine to work until the baby arrives even if this is after my due date?

I believe that you can start your mat leave any time from 11 weeks before due date until baby arrives. Once baby is here you have to start mat leave (so for instance if you are using holiday to extend leave, and give birth while on holiday time it changes to mat leave) and have to take 2 weeks after to allow you to recover.
If you want to work till you have baby you can.

Your maternity leave has to start on your due date and I am surprised that your agency hasn't requested your MatB1 as they are your employers, not where you are doing your placements.

Thanks, that is how I read and understood it :) so it's not based on due dates, just when the baby arrives.

I will be taking at least a month off anyway as I have no idea how anyone could go back at 2 weeks even a month will be difficult!

I just had to argue my case today about working until 10 days before my due date. I'm pretty convinced that since it's a first baby, it'll be late.. and I'm a teacher, so otherwise would be off from July until possibly mid October. How boring - and what a waste of my maternity pay considering we can only afford for me to take 8 months off anyway! That would be 2 months before baby arrives, 6 months afterwards. Would much prefer the 8 months afterwards!

My boss isn't very happy, but stuff him.

I thought you can work up until the baby is born, so if you are overdue, that includes over your due date? If your baby comes early, you have to start mat leave as soon as your baby arrives. I plan on working very late, but might take some annual leave days mid week in the later weeks so that I have a Wed off to rest/sleep. It's reassuring to hear that you still feel good at 37 weeks as I'm hoping I'll feel like that too as I'd much rather have the time off after. I wouldn't feel guilty, you have every right to do this. I would only feel guilty if it is really affecting your ability to do your job.

You can work until the baby arrives if you feel up to doing so. It works the other way too - plenty of women out there who planned to go on leave at 36-37 weeks and then find themselves delivering straight out of the office at 35 weeks before they've had a chance to pack their bag!

Spooky maternity leave starts when baby is born, otherwise op could have 2 weeks off, have baby late and have to go straight back to work!
If op went 2 weeks late then had to be induced possibly taking 4 days, that would go right over her maternity leave allowance!