Work demands whilst on matleave? Advice appreciated please.

[staycalmmama]

Can work demand tasks to be completed whilst on matleave?

I doubt it.

But it may depend on what it is. Like I have to submit my license details every year, for the insurance for the company car. I keep the company car on Mat leave so would still need to it.

I suppose it could also depend on how you went off on Mat leave. If it was brought forward at short notice and they are trying to hand over to someone else, they may have some questions

@Turningpurple

I doubt it.

But it may depend on what it is. Like I have to submit my license details every year, for the insurance for the company car. I keep the company car on Mat leave so would still need to it.

I suppose it could also depend on how you went off on Mat leave. If it was brought forward at short notice and they are trying to hand over to someone else, they may have some questions

Completing online training. I've been of for a month now. Baby's not here yet but last thing I want to think about is work at such a special time. Won't get this time back again so want to enjoy it without thinking about work.

Is the online training essential to your registration, and can it be completed at another time or is there some kind of necessary deadline?

@katmarie

Is the online training essential to your registration, and can it be completed at another time or is there some kind of necessary deadline?

Honestly, it could wait as I'm not going back for a while. They set unnecessary deadlines.

Honestly, it could wait as I'm not going back for a while. They set unnecessary deadlines.

But again, in some companies/ industries there is certain training all staff have to do and have up to date at all times.

Its best to speak to them and ask why it needs doing now.

Who contacted you with this demand?

By agreement, you can work during up to 10 calendar days whilst on Maternity Leave in the U.K., they’re called ‘keeping in touch days’.

I know it’s not what you would ideally want but if it’s easy enough to do I wouldn’t choose this hill to die on myself!

We have internal deadlines for training which are strictly adhered to but if you are on long term sick leave, sabbatical or parental leave you complete any outstanding on your return.

Were you up to date before you left?

As PP says, if there is an external registration tied to the training then then things may be different but you'd have thought that would have been discussed before you left.

How are they allocating this work to you? If via work email why are you checking it? Surely it should just have an Out of Office response on redirecting people to whoever is caretaking your role.

I specifically put in my mat leave confirmation to hr that all comms must come to me via letter as I wouldn't be accessing my email/work mobile while on mat leave.

Honestly OP you sound a little precious. How long is the training? Can't you just do it and claim a KIT day? You've already had a month off without a baby, isn't that enough 'special time'

Just do it and then explain no more KIT days once baby arrives for a few months. The world of work is about give and take.

Although if she’s getting full mat pay now she wouldn’t get any extra for doing a KIT day. As others have said, if it’s mandatory, time specific and related to an industry body it may be best to suck it up and do now, if not, either push if back to when your mat pay‘s finished so you get a day’s extra pay for it a few months down the line, or offer to do it on your return.

Personally I'd rather sit and do some online training whilst I'm relaxed at the end of pregnancy than trying to do it later on with a baby. However if you're on full maternity pay there will be no financial benefit to working a day so you should negotiate TOIL you can take at a later date.

Has the request come from your line manager? I’d offer to complete it on a future ‘keep in touch’ day or on return. I wouldn’t complete it now.

Are you on mat leave or annual leave before mat leave starting? Was the training due before you went off or has it been allocated after your maternity leave start date?
We get allocated mandatory training quarterly, before I left for mat leave I made sure everything that had been allocated was completed but they didn't assign me any training whilst on mat leave. However if I had been on annual leave at either end, that would have been assigned as I was then a 'normal' employee.

Sorry- but what's special about the end of pregnancy? Get some biscuits, do a couple of hours work, and it's done!

@SD1978

Sorry- but what's special about the end of pregnancy? Get some biscuits, do a couple of hours work, and it's done!

Whilst I wouldn't use the term special, it is specifically time she is not working and is on a recognised period of absence. Therefore its not appropriate to have her complete work related tasks.

Going off pre birth is to avoid stress or physics exertion. Online training I doubt would cause stress? However technically no I don't think they can force you but I'd do it as it wouldn't cause stress or exertion and keeps you in their good books rather than branded a trouble maker. You'd always have it then as a card to use on the future that'll you did something over expected.

Physical

Cringing a bit about the "special" time before the baby is born? It's a couple of hours just get it done?

@twinsetandpearl

Cringing a bit about the "special" time before the baby is born? It's a couple of hours just get it done?

It could set a precedent though. "Send that to OP, she's clearly still on her work emails, she has time, she will pick it up" about any task.

Are you actually on mat yeah or annual leave?
How are they demanding this? If by email why are you checking your emails?
Why not just use a kit day?

I can't believe some of the responses on this thread. OP, you are on mat leave. You are not obliged to work and in fact, shouldn't be, unless you are on a KIT day (which incidentally, neither party are obliged to do/provide). Just refuse.

Some of the responses above are condescending so just ignore. Very typical of this forum, I'm afraid.

You are on maternity leave. You are not obliged to work. This is a special time. You don't have to work like a machine. Online training is work. It's not cringey to enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy before the baby arrives.

If you do decide to do the training, it can be used as part of your kit day but this needs to be agreed between yourself and your employer. Can the online training be completed at a later date?

I had to complete training whilst I was off for a year. I should have done it before I went off but I had forgotten, so it’s probably the same situation as you. I have training that must be done every year or else their targets fall short. As long as it doesn’t take the piss with hours worth or training then I don’t see a massive issue.

I just caught up on training when I got back. Work knew I was on maternity leave so it wasn't a problem.