Holiday during pregnancy - help please

[reddaisy]

I am pregnant and I'm due at the end of September. I get 20days holiday a year which runs from Jan - Jan so am I entitled to take all of it before I start my ML? Or should I take it proportionally to the amount of time that I will be at work this year?

TIA

If you are on ml you are still employed so you still accrue the full years entitlement unless you take the leave. As long as you are still working for them next jan (even if you are on maternity leave) you accrue full leave.

You accrue it as normal regardless of whether you are on mat leave or not, so both this year and next year you will get your 20 days (assume you are part time? Full time basic entitlement is 28 days).

When you can take it is between you and your employer, but yes, you ought to be able to take it all before you go, assuming you are not likely to be back before the next holiday year.

I work a four day week (you helped me achieve that flowery by your excellent advice regarding my difficulties with my flexible working request) so full-time I would get 25+ Bank Holidays so I get 20 days.

If I don't take the time before I go on ML, will I get extra pay? As I only get SMP otherwise. Thank you for the replies flowery aand hairyfairy.

You'd only get extra pay if your employer gives staff the option of payment in lieu of holidays. You need to check your employment contract and policy.

There is ample time to take your leave before your maternity leave starts, so if I was your employer I'd be asking that you take it in advance of your maternity leave (ie: between now and the - and this could provide an opportunity to finish early - we don't allow carry-over of annual leave - there's a use it or lose it policy).

I think the only loophole is if the employer has prevented you from reasonably taking it, but as you now 9 months from now til your due date, you should be able to fit in the holidays.

Agree with hairy. Check your annual leave and mat policies to see any rules about taking holiday/carrying it over/being paid in lieu. But there's loads of time for you to take it all so your employer should be encouraging you to do that.

Thanks for the advice, I am happy to take it all so I will get it booked soon.