Taking mat leave earlier to escape terrible job?

[SecretSloth99]

I’m thinking about starting my maternity leave a lot earlier than I was originally planning, around six weeks or so before due date. Reason being, I need to escape my job as soon as I possibly can.

I’ve got to the point where I genuinely hate my job. And I mean, it’s impacting my mental health hugely, to the point I’m considering therapy. Everything is a struggle and i should have moved on a long time ago, but was waiting to see if things changed. I have to stay, otherwise I’ll lose out on my maternity leave, but I won’t be going back afterwards (no claw back policy, thankfully)

would love any opinions on this as I know it reduces time with baby by six weeks on the other side…but protecting my peace now feels more important!

Do it. Your baby might come a couple of weeks early anyway. Your wellbeing needs to be in the best place possible as life is going to get crazy (good).

Check out gov.uk for rules about maternity leave, you can take it at 29 weeks and you don’t need to tell them now that you are not returning, you just need your Mat form from your midwife. When I had my DC, you could take mat leave at 26 weeks, which was normal then, some 30 years ago.

If your not going back after I wouldn’t worry about it

@SecretSloth99 Just take it now. Don't resign from your job or say anything to them until you have to for notice period. Remember, you will accrue annual leave whilst on maternity that they will need to pay when you leave your position, so you can use this to fund you to stay off work with baby for longer once your mat leave ends

If you don't intend to return then it doesn't affect it the other end? I did it. Was actually signed off for a month because it had gotten so bad and was also physically impacting me. I won't be returning either.

Do it. I started Mat Leave 5 weeks before due date and do not regret it one bit. I think I could have started it up to 11 weeks before my due date.

I'm in two minds on whether I go back, but it is a highly stressful role that made me responsible for thousands of vulnerable people's welfare. Normally I thrive on that, but towards the end I became a bit resentful that I was putting my welfare below the needs of others. I think pregnancy is the time when you need to re-prioritise and put yourself and baby first.

Obviously it would have been different if my workplace had given me a bit of extra support as promised, but these things slip. I was supposed to be able to do a full handover in my last month, but my mat cover hadn't even started by the time I finished up. I think they expected me just to keep covering...

If it's affecting your mental health absolutely unless you are able to take sick leave.

Pregnancy Insomnia!

I just can't sleep, 30 weeks pregnant and it's driving my absolutely crazy. Doesn't help that my husband has really annoying snores and if he falls asleep before me it's pretty much certain I will be awake for hours. I need help because it's getting me so wound up and agitated, I work full time and have a toddler to get up and out in the mornings and run around after work before husband gets home in time for her bedtime.

Any tips, or just support of people in the same boat.

So sorry I meant to make a new post and some how replied to this thread! Please ignore completely