Doctor signed me off - can work force me to take early maternity

[Megsh85]

I have been struggling massively with exhaustion, vomiting and pain in my second trimester so far. I haven't taken any time off yet with my pregnancy despite a very rough first trimester due to the high demand of my job so powered through, and my GP has signed me off from work while they do some tests etc.

My manager has said I need to be careful about taking anymore time off and that work can force me to take early maternity? I'm only 21 weeks. Can they do that? I don't want to take maternity early I just need to rest for a bit and get myself feeling a bit back to normal.

Now I'm feeling extremely worried and stressed, and even more guilty that I'm taking time out when I have deadlines with work, which to be honest in my line of work there is always deadlines so never a good time to time off work.

So worried and all over the place :(

Maternity leave automatically begins at 36 weeks if you are off sick. So at 21 weeks you really don't need to worry.

Your employer cannot force you to start mat leave before then without breaking the law.

They can but it will be in your policy what week that commences. Check your intranet

As above poster said other wise some poor women with HG would be signed off for the entire length of maternity level before baby even arrives. Manager sounds either total clueless or a bully. Either way take time
Off you need don’t worry about work

I'd speak with HR to check this. I'm going on mat leave this week at 35 weeks and had 3 weeks off roughly around the same time as you. I was given the same 'warning' but more of in a nice way of saying look it's fine we get you aren't well but if it was to happen again nearer the time (in my company from 34 weeks) then they would be able to make me start maternity early. That was of course when I thought I'd be able to breeze through work until 38 weeks! Give HR a call in the morning to put your mind at rest but unless you work for a really shitty company they can't really force your maternity leave this early. Hope you feel better soon! My second trimester when you're meant to be 'glowing' was the hardest for me, I've only finished early as I may need to be induced and wanted at least a couple of weeks off x

They should not have even suggested that to you.

If you are signed off with a pregnancy related illness on the Saturday before you start your 36th week of pregnancy, only then can your employer kick start your maternity.

Get a copy of your company maternity policy and read it so you have the knowledge you need.

They're talking shite as it can only be started from 36 weeks of pregnancy if off with a pregnancy related illness at that point.

Although being off at this point could affect your maternity pay amount if you only get SSP as its calculated using the pay in roughly weeks 17-25 of pregnancy.

They are lying.

Normal sick leave and sick leave related to pregnancy are two different things.

Please just your work policy on maternity

l would keep a record of any incidents with management just in case its needed in the future.

I checked maternity policy just now, and says from four weeks before due date is when any pregnancy related illness will start maternity leave... so guess that means I'll be ok?

If workplaces in the uk are making women start mat leave before 36 weeks they are breaking the law. It's quite concerning to hear this is happening. It doesn't matter what their 'policy' says it's against the law.

I'd give them a gentle reminder that you know your maternity rights.

Arseholes.

@Megsh85

I checked maternity policy just now, and says from four weeks before due date is when any pregnancy related illness will start maternity leave... so guess that means I'll be ok?

Yes you'll be OK. They would be breaking the law if they tried to start it any earlier