Just returned to work from maternity leave and I’m pregnant again

[rosiebutterfly]

Hi all,

I’m still in shock, but returned to work a few weeks ago from my maternity leave and today I missed my period and have tested positive for baby number two.
i feel really anxious telling work, has anyone been in a similar position or can offer advice - this wasn’t planned but im in a secure happy marriage so I am of course keeping the baby.
Do I have the same rights as before?

Yes, same rights.

Congratulations! Same rights

I went back to work on my first day from maternity 10 weeks pregnant.

Yes you do.

Congratulations (?) 🤣

I was in this position. My manager was very distant and ultimately didn't care (about anything really). I didn't get any hassle for it.

I believe you'll get the same rights as before - Mat pay is (I think) calculated based on your pay between 17-25 weeks - sounds like you're early enough that you're back at work for that period. Do check your work place policies though as I think that's for statutory and they can have their own rules around enhanced pay

Also congratulations! Two close together is wonderful. Hard, but amazing at the same time

Same rights but not always the same mat pay, depends on what you earned in the qualifying period. Does catch some people out.

Congratulations and solidarity. I've been back 2 months and just found out I'm pregnant again. My manager said to me when I returned "you better not do what XX did and come back only to go off pregnant again soon after, totally took the piss" (he's a non-politically correct child free man) so I'm not expecting the conversation to go well at all 😂 they'll have to suck it up either way, it'll all be fine x

My maternity pay was the same. Sorry should've said.

If you have enhanced maternity that could be affected it it differs from company to company. Smp is calculated at a specific point so as long as you are back for first trimester it's fine

Lots of people do this - no need to worry or feel guilty about telling work.
I went back after 9 months and I was already pregnant. If I'd have had the year I'd practically be showing by the time I returned!
I liked to think they got used to me not being around so it was easier for them second time.
Congratulations! A close gap is wonderful.

Congratulations OP! Remember you have no obligation to tell work for some time yet so give yourself time to let this news sink in and review your employers maternity policy

I did pretty much the same and it was the same rights for me.

One thing I advise to colleagues coming back is to not go part time straight away if you don't have to, use all the leave you've accumulated to take a day off a week. One of my staff was able to do that for the whole period she was back before going off on maternity leave again, so her maternity pay was still based on her full time salary.

It’s the same rights because that’s the law.

Thank you so much everyone you’ve eased my mind about the whole thing x

Congrats!

Ooh, I second the point from @TheSmallAssassin about using leave to go back unofficially part time - very useful to be able to reduce your hours on full pay and then get full mat pay.

Also useful for testing the waters for how the job could work part time if you're interested in going back part time after your second

Do check your annual leave allowances in general because if you have any "use it or lose it" days you can't roll over to future years you may be better planning to use them before starting your mat leave, eg book annual leave from 37-39 weeks and start mat leave at 39 weeks.