When to go on Maternity Leave?

[Stephisaur]

Baby isn't due until December, but it's occurred to me today that I have no idea when you're supposed to work until!

I'm due the 17th, so my original idea was to start my Maternity leave on the Friday (14th). I don't know whether this is too late? I have some holiday (need to check how much) that I could take before then if I should leave work earlier, but with it being my first I just don't know!

I have an office job, so not too taxing really. I just sit here on mumsnet and answer phones and emails really.

Any thoughts?

@jennac "it is a Dutch company so perhaps their policy somehow originated from Dutch guidelines. "

This is definitely it. My friends in Holland are not legally allowed to work past 34/36w and only get 16w pay. But UK employment law should apply as you are based in uk. You need to correct them

I used to work for an American company and maternity leave was called a short term disability in our company handbook!

I took two weeks annual leave weeks 38 to 40 and started mat leave on my due date. Baby born 40+5 so had nearly 3 weeks at home before birth. I worked in an office but with a 2.5 hour commute each way and did struggle toward the end. I worked from home twice a week from week 34 as I was struggling with the long hours