Should I extend my sick leave until my mat leave starts?

[arbybra12]

I'm due to start my mat leave (taking holiday first) from 17th January. I've currently been signed off for the past week after having spent 5 out of 6 days in hospital since the New Year started, even having to go via ambulance at 3am. Doctors basically aren't able to determine what's wrong with me but have ruled out all the big nasties, but I still feel absolutely exhausted, physically and mentally, and a bit shitty all round. I'm due back at work on Tuesday with 5 more shifts to go before my leave starts, but the hospital want me to come back in on Monday morning for more tests anyway. Would I be making a big fuss to see if my doctor can just sign me off for another week while I recover/potentially have more hospital appointments? My partner and family think I should ask and that I'm not fully understanding how ill I've been, but it's all just a bit surreal and I don't know what to do.

What sort of job do you do? Do you sit or stand? Do you turn up do your shift and go home or do you work on projects/ case load etc. if the latter and you sit down to
work I’d probably go in to tie up Loose ends and sort everything out.

Also how many weeks pregnant are you? Can they make you start your mat leave if you go off sick?

It sounds like you are still sick so yeah get it extended, there’s nothing to be gained from going back to work for you or them. They may be able to trigger your maternity leave early though? Not sure what gestation that applies from

If you're off sick you're work can start your maternity leave once you get to 36 weeks.

I think they can only trigger mat leave if it’s a pregnancy related condition, can’t they? So if it’s a general health issue, yes I’d get signed off. Especially as you’re back in hospital on Monday.
Any decent employer would fully understand. What’s the point in going back for a couple of shifts if you’re still struggling?

I'm a restaurant manager so on my feet pretty much the whole time I'm at work. I'm 28 weeks but have about 4 weeks worth of holiday to use first which is why I'd planned to take it before starting my mat leave.

So don't think they can trigger it starting early anyway. It's just a case of getting through the last week.

I think that sounds really reasonable to be honest, you need to rest and further stress is not good for the baby. If Dr refuses you can self certify for 1 week.

In that case I’d absolutely do it, it’s January so the added disruption at work will be minimal, pregnancy sickness doesn’t count against you, and it’s not worth the added risk of catching flu or covid from a customer when you are already sick. It can’t hurt to ask the doctor

If you don’t feel good and you’re still being investigated, you’re on your feet a lot I’d go off sick. If you were trying to work your job right up until your due date it might be predictable that you wouldn’t be able to stand all shift. But you’re only 28 weeks, the reason you can’t do it is illness

Just get a sick note from the doc.

They can only trigger May leave if it’s a pregnancy related absence. Take the sick leave and use your accrued four weeks to extend once baby is here, you may appreciate it more then - even if little one is in nursery you can have some time for yourself before going back to work.

I don’t think she can self certify. You can only do that for the first week of the illness. She’s already been signed off and had time off for this illness and it’s a continuation. I don’t think any dr would have an issue signing her off after a hospital stay and still attending for monitoring though. The hospital might also be able to do it at the appointment

100% get signed off. You've been in hospital, don't have a diagnosis & pregnant. Take care of yourself first.

There was a point (I can't recall what it was, but think it was third trimester) where if I went off sick it triggered my may leave to start so I would check that point with your work. But if you don't use your AL you should be able to add it onto the end of your mat leave I think?

@BungleandGeorge
oh I see, I self certified after speaking to Dr at 28 weeks but it was my first week of illness?

Stay off work, request a sick note until 17th 100%

It might trigger early maternity leave but so what? You need to rest momma

I'm pretty certain that if you are sick in pregnancy after 33weeks then your may leave automatically starts. You may want to check it out.

On a health note, you should be taking it easy and stop work which ever way you take. 1 week early isn't really all that early.

I kept working. It was the worst decision. Sign off, nothing is more important than you and baby.