What happens if I extend my maternity leave?

[jumblequeen]

I'm probably being really dumb here, but humour me... I have given my employers a date for my return but now think I might have been a bit hasty. I'd like to stay on maternity leave a bit longer but I'm not sure what the 'rules' are - is there a period of notice I have to give for the change? Am I bound to the original date? Apologies if this is all made very clear on the government website but I'm on a very limited timescale being on the computer as it is and I can already hear some grumblings from the moses basket across the room...

Any help much appreciated!

You have to give 8 weeks' notice.

There are some technical changes which apply to your rights on return depending on whether you are off more or less than six months. If this will change which side of the line you fall, let us know and I (or someone else) will explain them. Otherwise, just enjoy a bit more time off.

Thanks RibenaBerry! I think the additional time would take me just over the 6 month period so I'd consider taking less time if it made a big difference... would you mind explaining the main advantages / disadvantages? Also, does it make any difference if I go part time? Sorry to bombard you - you seem to know what you're taking about and I'd really appreciate your help! My baby brain is struggling to make head nor tail of it all...

It's not a biggy.

If you take less than six months, they have to give you your exact job back. If you take more than six moths, they have to give you your job or, if that's not possible, an equivalent job on the same terms and conditions. To the vast majority of employees, that's not relevant at all. The best example I can give is that, if you're a sales person say, if you go back within six months you would get your exact role back. If you took 12, you might get a slightly different territory or whatever (assuming same package, earning capacity, etc) if it wasn't possible to give you the exact same package.

Your right to request part time applies so long as you have six months service (maternity leave time counts, so you will). No difference to how long you have been off. But do allow masses of time for a request. It can easily take a couple of months if it's not straight forward and you don't want to be under time pressure.

On a personal level, I would take as long as you want and can afford. I know too many people who went back at six months 'for the good of their career' and regret it years on. Only go back fast if you want to (or have to for financial reasons).

Ribena, you're a saint! Thank you so much for putting this in layman's terms for me. Luckily, I'm not bound by financial reasons for returning to work and my career wouldn't suffer to any great extent for taking additional time off, so I think I'll take your advice... once again, thanks for taking the time to reply

No problem.

Enjoy your time away from the daily grind. Mine were rubbish sleepers, so maternity leave is a bit of a blur, but I still look back fondly...