Can you bring mat leave forward.

[Onetoetree]

Just s quickie, am I able to request going on mat leave earlier, just came back from clinic and I have been given the metaformin drug for gd. Due to other health problems and medication I am going to be having you child two weeks earlier. I had planned 5 weeks off before baby was due to get loads sorted but now baby is coming earlier I would still like to take those 5 weeks. Well two holiday and 3 mat leave earlier than planned. Can you change the dates?

I did. Originally planned to finish at 38 weeks but due to back pain had to finish at 36 weeks. Discuss with your employer, can't see it being a problem with reasonable notice.

I did too. Id planed to leave at 36 weeks but instead left at 28

Yes, legally it's 28 days notice but your employer might agree to less notice than that, good luck

Yes I finished 3 weeks earlier than planned because I had spd and was struggling with travel. I think it would be very rare for your employer to say no. You could even get signed off sick by your doctor if you need to

I just have had no time to ring my HR today. If I had a sick note would that affect my overall mat pay, I so need to read the mat leave policy. I still havn't had any letters from HR yet either actully I sent my things off weeks ago .

It depends how far along you are, maternity pay is calculated on your qualifying weeks, so if you are on sick pay or get a bonus during those weeks it will change your maternity pay.
Also, if you are off sick with a pregnancy related condition, your work can start your maternity leave at 36 weeks.

Maternity pay is calculated on your earnings from weeks 17 to 25. Employers can only legally ask you to start maternity leave from 36 weeks. So you can have some sick leave and then start mat leave at 36 weeks.

You sound like you have requested to start mat leave before 36 weeks anyway so if I was you I'd get signed off (after self certifying for 7days) and save the mat leave! Your employer can't dictate how you take the mat leave (except what's mentioned above) so assuming you have the time or a good HR department you may be able to change what you've already requested.