Anyone else struggling to get work to grasp they are going on maternity leave? (Bonus points it over 30 weeks pregnant & it’s a twin pregnancy!)

[EL8888]

I informed work at the 12 week point that l was 12 week pregnant and it was twins. I am now over 30 weeks pregnant, no risk assessment has ever been done despite me asking a few times. I’m not even sure if manager have informed HR?

I submitted my MATB1 form, stated the day l wished to start maternity leave and l would be taking a few weeks annual leave before that. Asked to talk to manager to confirm this and check my calculations re annual leave etc. I have asked a few times but this has never happened. I submitted my annual leave request a few weeks ago but radio silence so far

In the past month or so l have asked my manager a few time to discuss the handover plan which again have been pushed back a number of times. Each week l have been told by manager it would the following week, then they say they don’t have capacity and can we do it the following week. More recently l was told in an informal conversation “Steve” and “Julie” would be taking over from me -they are part time and l am full time so it makes sense.

I have tried to meet with Steve and Julie to discuss but it hasn’t happened yet. Julie seems to have appointed herself as spokesperson and it pushing back receiving a handover until less than a week to go. Usually there is a handover of a couple of weeks so l have advised against that. Plus due to my age and it being twins then l might not make it until 35 weeks anyway. It’s not impossible l might have to start having daily or every other day hospital appointments, go off sick and/or have to deliver early. Physically lm not feeling too great e.g. breathlessness, insomnia (around 5 hours sleep a night), swollen legs / feet and there have been issues with my blood pressure. Again management know all of this

I have had enough to be honest. I am going to drop the rope and let the whole thing play out. Its not as if l am going to be there! I have tried to get things organised and do a proper handover 🤷‍♀️. But it feels like people think we have forever and the birth isn’t imminent -due to twins then birth will be at 37 weeks and lm stopping at 35 weeks. So lm not finishing especially early for twins. When people ask what date l leave then l say “probably X date” and then they pull surprised face as it isn’t far away…

Can you email the HR team directly to make sure they have your MATB1 and to check the annual leave calculations? That's really their role rather than your manager's.

I'd send a further email to your manager, Julie and Steve confirming the date you're intending to start your leave and suggesting that you meet for your handover a couple of weeks beforehand in case that date changes.

Then write a really good handover note just in case, and let them sort it out.

Don’t let them being not ready to take over stress you out! Write everything down as a great handover plan- then your responsibility is done. If you have offered handover conversations, and these have been pushed back, that will be their problem not yours. I totally feel you that you want to leave everything in the best possible way, but the reality is, the stress is not worth it (and there is always something you will forget anyway) in the end, If you write a great plan…and they can’t figure it out! Believe me…they will be super happy when you come back. Sending positive vibes!

I would take matters in your own hands in regards of your leave and contact HR directly. Once that’s sorted, if they’re not interested on sorting handovers that’s on them and they can sort it. Don’t let it worry you