Maternity leave and pregnant

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Maternity leave and pregnant

Apologies if this is on the wrong board.
I'm currently on maternity leave and am due to return to work in November, however I've just found out I'm pregnant again.

I work for a large employer very male dominated, who obviously wont be thrilled at the prospect of me having a 2nd bout of mat leave so soon which is understanble but unfortunately unavoidable. After discussion with a few if my colleagues, apparently they will attempt to force me out of my job as have previously done this to employees in similar circumstances. So I'm trying to plan ahead as this baby was unexpected but very much wanted as we had had a miscarriage in May.

I'm aware of the qualifying periods so know that I have to end my current maternity leave early so that I'll earn enough in the qualifying period to qualify for stat maternity pay but I'm unsure on a few points.

the 8 week qualifying period rules state I have to earn £118 per week . Is this an average over the 8 weeks or a minimum amount per week?

in relation to changing current my mat leave dates, do I have to give a reason or just the required notice?

apologies ice cut and pasted from another board and dont know how to edit

Not sure about the first question, but as to the second one - give whatever reason you want! Simply "I need the money" is both valid and true for your situation.

I assume you'll be concealing the pregnancy as long as you can. It might also be wise to start keeping a record of communications with your employer, as in, anything that might be relevant if ended up taking them to tribunal for forcing you out on the grounds of pregnancy.

I'm going to try and conceal it one of the big problems with that though is my husband also works there :(
I tend to just go in and chat to my manager hes fine, it's our area management that's the issue. Should I just start emailing him instead so I have a trail?

I think they add up your 2 pay amounts in the qualifying period and work out from that your average weekly amount which needs to be above 118. I'm not 100% sure though

Thank you that's what I'm hoping happens x

I have seen similar happen with friends and they have tended to go down the happy accident line and leave it later to tell their employer they are pregnant. Calculate when you would need to return to get your mat leave and simply state that having discussed it with your partner you would like to return on x date. If they make you redundant once your back by way of trying to force you out then they still have to include your mat pay.