Maternity leave as a teacher - start on first day of term or when baby is born?

[kidsanddogs10]

I'm due to give birth over Easter. Wondering if my maternity leave will start the day I give birth or whether it can officially start on the day should be going back to work?

Only about a week in it, planning on working until the holidays so that I get as much full pay as I can!

I’m due in the summer holidays and have been told it can start no later than the day I give birth. I guess you’d be the same.

Yeah unfortunately you can’t start your mat leave after you give birth. So if you give birth during the holidays, your mat leave can officially start the day you give birth, not (potentially) weeks later when the holidays finish. Very unfortunate if you have a late July baby!!

Pretty sure mat leave starts when baby is born or on the date you agree with your employer - whatever happens first

Yes mine can start no later than day of birth (or maybe even the due date, I can't recall now) and I'm sure it said somewhere that if I want to work in the two weeks coming up to due date I need clearance from Midwife or consultant, although this could be age-specific as I'm 40.

I work in HR.

That’s right. mat leave starts:

1. The date you agree with your employer;
2. Your due date, or, occasionally;
3. The day after you give birth if you have an unexpectedly early baby.

There are strict laws around not working in the 2 weeks immediately after giving birth, which is why you can’t delay mat leave start, the way paternity leave can be delayed.

Thanks all, super helpful

Don’t forget to look into shared parental leave for teachers too.

If you take shared parental leave you can 'go back to work' during the holidays and get full pay for that period. The school can't ask you to come in or do any work if they aren't asking other staff too, so you can't be expected to do anything when you're 'back'. Will make a huge difference to what you come out with.