Earlier Maternity Leave

[EThreepwood]

I'm 35 weeks still working in Early Years.
I don't trust my boss at all. Her social life has definitely improved since Corona now she can say that she provides multiple childcare bubbles and flaunts it on FB.

Long story short is I am the only one following any safety guidance.

I don't want to go back to work. I don't feel safe and I might be having a C-section in 2-3 weeks time anyway.

How can you start Maternity early? I've got a week off before due date or C-section whatever is earliest.

With my last pregnancy I returned from half term and the plan for my maternity support and take over was changed without my knowledge due to saving money. I knew I would struggle (and it was against my risk assessment) so I called in sick until mat leave kicked in automatically at 36 weeks.

I would just put in sick till you actual maternity leaves starts!

Guidance states pregnant ladies shouldn't be working from 28 weeks. You should be furloughed until your maternity leave starts.

Women past 28 weeks in public facing roles such as yours should be allowed to work from home/stay at home in full pay without having to start mat leave early. Teacher here in the same situation and my head agreed straight away I could work from home (which is irrelevant now anyway)

I tried contacting PACEY at 27 weeks and they refused to get back to me saying look at the guidance so I never could prove that I should be able to stay at home after 28 weeks.

I'll try to text my midwife or get a letter off e-consult. Boss will absolutely flip she already asked me to work late tomorrow so she can take her Mum to a medical appointment.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-pregnant-employees?fbclid=IwAR1TKVN8YtTxjXCk7lszD40pITKWgFCNfqXP-1SV_VhFiSwSk0tPvR3YC0s

Here is the link to the guidance if that helps 😊 good luck!

The guidance is only that your employer should be able to ensure social distancing after 28 weeks, there’s no actual obligation on them to let you work from home or be furloughed.

In theory, you have to give 28 days notice to start maternity leave early. If I were you I’d probably just call in sick at this point if you know they wouldn’t agree to you starting leave early - as it’s so close your employer can force you to start your maternity leave early if you’re off sick, but sounds like that would work well for you!

i think if you are off sick within 4 weeks of your due date due to a pregnancy reason your maternity leave kicks in automatically

RCOG guidance:
www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/