Maternity leave

[DannyWallace]

Hi all. I'm looking for a bit of advice please. If it helps/makes a difference , I'm in Scotland. I'm 28 weeks pregnant.

I have a job that I love (Job A). It's an office -style job and so far I've had no issues with working there while pregnant. The only thing is they could only offer me part time hours, and I fell pregnant while background checks were being done (so started already pregnant!). Like I said though, they've been great, but I'm aware I'm not due much in the way of maternity pay. However it will be perfect for me going back after maternity leave now (as the part time hours suit me and will work well around childcare)

So, again before I knew I was pregnant I applied for another part time job to make up the hours/money. (job B). This is now especially helpful as, again, not entitled to loads during maternity leave. This is in a shop and, again, I ended up starting when I was early in pregnancy. I'm finding this job really difficult. They kept me doing "normal" work until around 24 weeks but now have put me on to lighter duties which I find easier. However I am always on my feet and have just started suffering with SPD! I have been referred to physio and am worried that I'll have to asked to be moved to another section again as it took so long last time.

From last week I've been in so much pain for a few days after I've worked in job B that it's started to affect job A. The doctor has just told me to take a few days off (she's given me a doctors note), but I don't know how long I'll manage in both jobs for.

Am I able to start maternity leave earlier for job B than job A? Maybe start maternity leave for job B at around 32 weeks, then job A at 37 weeks? Or will I have to quit job B if I don't feel like I can cope with it. If I could I would rather keep both jobs just incase (it's unlikely, but there could be issues with DHs job due to Brexit and I just don't want to shoot myself in the foot).

Sorry that was long. Thanks for reading

Congrats! I can definitely relate to wanting to play it safe at this point - Brexit is terrifying, isn't it?! If you decide to stay in both jobs, I think that the date you start maternity leave in each job is independent, so you should be able start your leave earlier for job B.

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/rights-for-parents-with-more-than-one-job/

@hipstercat amazing, thank you

I’m not 100% sure on the mat leave but just wanted to add if spd is making job b difficult and affecting job a you could ask your gp to write you a fir note fir job b (as job a is already a desk job) saying you can work so long as you don’t stand for long periods, or do a job from a desk or similar. Job b place then has to offer you an alternative fitting in with the go requirements and if they can’t you then get full pay from that job but not work for that job if that makes sense. Double check this but this is what I was told from citizens advice.

To add though an employer can make you start your mat leave one month before due date if you’re off ill.

@Reastie ooh thank you!! I'll speak to them this week to see what I can do

Fit note not fir note! Typo

I actually only think you will get maternity pay for your highest paid job not both of your Jordan's don't think you van take maternity from one and not the other either..

Meet jobs not Jordon and can hate autocorrect lol..

Oh no I know I won't get maternity pay from either as I started when I was pregnant. But I can get maternity allowance from job A so long as I work until 37 weeks. I don't think I'll manage job B for that long though

You should get maternity pay if you have worked there for 26 weeks so you not..

@rach2713 actually now your say that they did say I could hopefully get statutory if I can keep working there (I started job A just after 10 weeks) so fingers crossed I don't have to go off too early. I don't earn enough from B to get much.
I really don't want to exhaust myself in B when A is the higher earner and the one I'm going to get paid from x

If job b is causing so much pain I would just give it up and stick with job a until you feel then need to stop. I would rather loose the money from the poor paying one than the one you get more from..