Who decides when maternity leave begins?

[babyboybluewithnumbertwox]

I've been working for my company for just over a year now and it is only my boss and I. My boss is getting married in April with the honeymoon right after meaning he is taking a decent break off which is understandable, however, it is right up to the date of my maternity leave (not the date I requested either).

The problem I am having is the requirement for me to work until he flies back which is 6 days before my due date... I am starting to get rather uncomfortable, have a toddler and not getting a say in when I would like to come off. My ideal time would be 2 weeks before and I did mention this when discussing maternity leave, and there was no scope for negotiation or consideration.

There was meant to be a replacement for me beginning in April, however, my boss has decided not to hire and do the work solo until I return which I only found out during our conversation.

Would you just bite the bullet and go off 6 days before or ask to review the date? Is it us mums that decide when we come off or is it a bit of both? Thank you so much for reading!

To add, I work fulltime in a sales environment

If you are sick after a certain stage of pregnancy then maternity leave automatically starts. I think it's 36 weeks.

So if you were signed off sick at 38 weeks then maternity leave would automatically start.

You decide. Unless you are absent with a pregnancy related issue, in which case the employer can request it starts earlier.

It's just for deciding the maternity leave date, I'm not physically sick or needing to be signed off.

I just remembered in my previous role that it was very much down to when I wanted to go off, whereas with this role I am not getting much of a say which is hard

You decide. They can't decline it.

I'd raise this via email today and ask (1) clarification on the date you chose (2) query why he is working on a different date and (3) what his plan is in case you are ill/deliver early and he is away from the business.

What does he plan to do if your baby comes early?

Your boss can't decide you will work longer. If you need the rest, trigger the start of maternity.
Of course, Baby might make the decision for you, and arrive while our boss is on holiday...

You are the one who decides. Its his firm so he will need to make the arrangements for when he is away. It shouldn't be your problem. He doesn't seem to have thought about what wouldn't happen if your baby comes early. If it makes no difference to your pay I would just get your doctor to sign you off to start your leave.

You decide.

DTs decided mine by turning up at 31 weeks.

Do you have a HR or maternity policy? For example for Mat leave to start in my role you need to give 4 weeks notice (unless the baby comes early!).
In both my pregnancies I worked until the end, 39+4 with my DS, he came the next day. With my DD 37+4 - she came the next am (had planned to work longer but she had other ideas!!). I went into both exhausted from full time work…if you can get a bit of extra you time off before hand I’d try to take it to be honest.

You give your employer notice of the date you intend to start maternity leave. My understanding is that the employer cannot really decline that as long as (i) your leave does not start earlier than the 11th week before due date or later than the date you give birth snd (ii) you give at least 28 days’ notice.

More information is available here maternityaction.org.uk/advice/pregnant-at-work/