Taking MAT leave early

[AELLE7]

I'm considering taking my MAT leave early and I was wondering if anyone had any experience of this? I am deeply unhappy at work and ever since my wonderful manager left early last year there has been a number of issues that I can't forgive. I cry and panic every Sunday when I have to go back. I would raise it with HR but the HR person is the director who quite frankly has been at the route of most of my problems with their terrible people skills (for instance I raised a grievance about a colleague and they kept blaming it on my 'pregnancy hormones'). I have a two month notice period and I am 14 weeks pregnant so the reality of finding another job is unlikely. I feel like knowing I can get out earlier might just ease the remaining months and I think me and my partner can work it out financially but it would mean halting on being able to save for our own property. My partner has been wonderful and has encouraged me to leave multiple times particularly after recent events but I feel guilty it will put us behind in our plans and put the pressure on his to support the family. I feel like I should just be able to tough it out. I just really don't want to spend the next six months depressed due to work.

Has anyone else taken MAT leave early due to work issues? Did you regret it?

In theory you don't need to. If you're searching for another job and you are under stress which is affecting your pregnancy you could get signed off and they'd not be able to discriminate against you as it's p related. Speak to your gp.

my Work encouraged me to use up my years holiday entitlement because they didn’t want to carry it forward into the next year when I would be returning so I finished up at 33 weeks and my maternity leave didn’t kick in till 38 weeks. Could this be an option?

I took MAT leave early in my old job. There was a combination that it was not a job that I could do with a child - long hours and a lot of overtime - so I was going to leave anyway. The only issue is that I ended up being so bored at home! Once nursery anc hospital bags are ready... there are only so many pregnancy YouTube videos you can watch! Do what is best for you & good luck!

I’ve just gone off work and I’m 23 weeks, I’ve been signed off by my GP due to severe PGP and also I was being badly treated by my manager. I’ve still got until 4th March until my actual mat leave starts and until May to wait for baby!! I’m a few days in and unsure what to do with myself!! Do what you think is best and what will put you in the best state of mind before giving birth, good luck!