30 weeks and going off sick?

[Meg611]

Currently 30 weeks pregnant and have been off sick for a week. I have a GP appointment tomorrow to look at getting signed off. I've had a high risk pregnancy from the start due to pre existing conditions and since then have been diagnosed with PGP and gestational diabetes. I'm just finding the whole thing very painful, stressful and I'm exhausted all the time. Am I being unreasonable to ask to be off until commencing mat leave at 36 weeks?

I don't think this would have been possible at my workplace. I'm sure there was a policy that if you had any significant or prolonged time off after you were eligible to start maternity ( think this is 15 weeks before your due date) then they could force you to start your maternity leave early instead of being off sick.

Not sure on the exact details as never needed to use it.

If this is the case you'd be better to struggle on & have the extra time after with the baby in my opinion.

Could you ask for adjustments instead? WFH to reduce / remove commuting time etc?

Would using AL be an option?

I'm pretty sure you may need to start maternity leave at 30 weeks if you are going to be off sick for a prolonged period, but you would need to check with your HR department.

I was signed off sick from weeks 18-36 in both of my pregnancies.

After 36 weeks you have to start maternity.

Not at all - you have to do what’s best for you. No reason why you can’t be signed off for pregnancy related illness? Double check on government guidelines on it though.

From Citizen Advice website -

When you can start your maternity leaveYou can start your maternity leave any day from 11 weeks before your due date. Your maternity leave will start earlier than the date you pick if:

• your baby comes early, or
• you’re off work with an illness related to your pregnancy, and this happens in the 4 weeks before the week of your due date

Thank you I will do. I read that as it will automatically start at 36 weeks then unless I go back to work before?

That’s right - ask the GP to sign you off sick until week 36, and then tell HR or your manager that you will start your maternity leave then.

As OP said above, it kicks in auto from 36 weeks (4 weeks before due date) if you are off ill in line with pregnancy illness. So 32-36 you can be signed off. I’ve had to double check this recently too as current pregnancy I have been off last few weeks during first trimester. Work we’re trying to misinform me.

It's from 36 weeks you can be forced to started maternity leave, not 25.

Incorrect.

Four weeks before due date the company can start your maternity leave if you are of interest maternity related sickness.

They can't do this.

You tell your company no later than 15 weeks before your due date that you are pregnant.

You can start (if you choose) your maternity no sooner than 11 weeks before your due date.

You can't still be working past your due date, you must finish on it before your due date.

You have to have at least two weeks of after having your child.

You can have as much maternity related sickness that you need. You can't be punished for this by being sacked.

You tell your employer when you wish to stop work.

They can only force you to start your maternity leave if you are ill with a pregnancy related illness the four weeks before your due date.

If you're sick go off sick!

But it lights just be that you're off for a week or so then they'll see if you're better or not