Finishing for maternity leave early than I told work

[Fairyrainbow]

I'm due to finish for maternity leave in just over 2 weeks. However I'm exhausted, my hips and back hurt and I just generally do not feel all that great. Can I bring my maternity leave forward or can my employer say no to me finishing earlier than I originally said.

I might be wrong but I think you have to give 4 weeks notice to change your leaving date.

It's worth checking with HR, I was very poorly the month before I was due to start ML, and being off sick for a pregnancy related reason triggered my maternity leave starting earlier than planned.

I think they would need to be pretty shitty to say to a pregnant woman who is feeling ill no, you told us months ago you'd be fine up til the end of November.

Just tell them you will need to bring it forward - or you'll be off sick for the fortnight before your Mat leave starts. Pretty sure your GP will sign you off.

Probably the easiest way to do this is take annual leave. If not I think I would get signed off. I thought you could start mat leave early (it’s very common IME) but it could be that women generally use annual leave to start it rather than move their mat leave start date

I think the answer to your question is that your employer can say no. However:

a) as a pp said that would be shitty of them
b) if you're truly feeling that bad tour GP will sign you off anyway

Why not approach your employer and explain that you aren't coping well and that you intend to see your GP to see if they have any suggestions. Explain to your employer you are worried they may sign you off so you wanted to ask whether starting your maternity leave earlier than planned was a viable alternative?

If they say no and your GP does sign you off your mat leave would kick in as soon as you were at 4 weeks before due date anyway (assuming GP gives reason as pregnancy related).

Good luck.

I finished a week earlier than my planned maternity leave. I just couldn't physically face another hour long journey each way and being on my feet for most of the day. I had a very understanding manager who put my case forward and I was granted early leave.

If they refuse, I second other posters and speak with your GP to sign you off until your maternity leave is due to start.

Just get your gp to sign you off until you're start date

If you get signed off by a doctor it automatically starts your maternity leave earlier

Get the GP to sign you off and if you’re beyond 36 weeks it should trigger automatically. That will give you more sympathy probably than asking for it

I finished two weeks earlier than planned with both of my pregnancies. I took annual leave so I wasn't straight on to statutory maternity benefit which made it easier financially. My maternity leave cover had already started so it was ok from my employer's perspective. On first baby, I was admitted to hospital the afternoon I should have finished work and baby arrived a few days later so it was the right decision. Second baby also arrived before 40 weeks!

Good luck - I hope you can get the extra time.

I suggest you talk to your employer - they do not have to change your date (longer notice required) but they might be happy to do so, or might suggest another compromise (what is the maternity cover situation - wouid shirt days to settle in a new starter be possible?)

If no joy on acceptable compromise, then see GP. If you are signed off after 36 weeks, maternity leave can start immediately

They can say no but if they do then you can be signed off by your GP and your maternity leave will automatically start if you’re 36 weeks. Do what you need to do even if it annoys them, it’s your health and your baby who come first

Thanks everyone will speak to them tomorrow and see what they say. GP is happy to sign me off has been for weeks but I wanted to try and make it to the end.

@fancytiles, that's not true. It would only start if you were off sick for pregnancy related sickness within 4 weeks of the EWC.

My colleague who went last year went 2 weeks early and just came in and said shes starting it that day, it wasn't a problem! Guessing it depends on employer

@OlderthenYoungerNow happened to me, maybe my company is different though!

How many weeks were you fancy?

I finished a week earlier than planned and my employer were fine with it. I only gave them two weeks notice of the change so I’d definitely ask!

Even better if your GP signs you off with a non pregnancy related condition 😂

I was signed off for a large chunk of my last pregnancy due to something not related to my pregnancy but couldn’t be treated as I was pregnant. Work had to allow me to put my due date as the start of my mat leave (encouraged by union). In the end DD came at 33 weeks so none of it mattered, but it did frustrate my manager when the letter went in 🙊

@schafernaker yes that's right! If you are signed off sick with something non related to pregnancy then it won't eat into your maternity leave, and the date it starts will remain the same but you're still off sick.
At the end of the day, your health and that of your baby is the most important thing. If you feel like you can't carry on, your body is telling you something and you should listen and slow down. Best of luck and sorry you're feeling so rubbish x

I've been talking to my incredibly supportive manager about this at the moment. I was due to finish on 13th December but hoping to finish on 29th November. I've got SPD and a crappy train/bus commute and just not sure I can face it for much longer. I've emailed HR today to enquire but as others have said, at worst you could get signed off anyway. Good luck x