I'm on OML but want to take AML

[Holymoly321]

My DS is now 7weeks old and I'm due to return to work after my 6 months OML is up next March. However, I've decided that I want to take additional maternity leave because now that I'm actually a mum, I want to be able to spend the first year of my DS's life with him and not at eve's and weekends only (whilst being stressed out from work at the same time!) Is this going to be a huge problem? Can my employers deny me AML (I won't be getting paid for it but my DH and I have decided that we'll just have to tighten our belts for the extra six months - DS is only a baby once!) I'm thinking of speaking to them this week about it but want to be forearmed first! Thanks

as far as I remember, the normal situation is that companies assume that you are taking AML and that you'll be returning on that date - you only actually need to tell them when you're returning if it's before then, and in that situation you have to give them 4 weeks notice (I did a lot of research on this whilst pregnant as I was made redundant!). They can't deny you AML. How long had you been working there?

I'd been there for a year and four months by the time I actually had DS.

The only risk with AML is that you are not guaranteed your previous job back. You are guaranteed a job at same grade but may not be same position - only guaranteed if return before/at 6 months. However, think this has/is being challenged? Smacks of sexual discrimination to me since it is far more likely that it will be women who are off work for 6+ months than men.

Hi Tinker, I'm not too concerned about the fact that I wouldn;t get the same post as my job was quite stressful and wouldn't want that kind of responsibilty again anyway - I would be happy to have a job of similar grade but less stress! I also would want to go part-time anyway. I feel I've had my 'career' time now, and would want to return to work more as a social and financial thing rather than a career ladder thing.

there's lot sof info \link(www.tiger.gov.uk/maternity/employee_april03/index.htm\here} and \link(www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=15660&lang=en/index.htm\here}

oh ARSE can't do links today
here and here