Changing mind about when to return (sooner than stated) - can I do this?

[elizabethtailored]

Is it possible to change my mind about when I return from maternity leave please? I think I would like to take the full year but am now wondering if we can cope financially for the remaining 13 weeks of the year when no AML is paid and am also a little scared of agreeing to a year and then going mad at home - this is my first!

Please could anyone advise as to what my rights are about informing my employer? I am 24 weeks and about to notify them of the date I intend to start maternity leave. What do I actually need to tell them? Can I say a year and then change this to 9months? Won?t they offer a one year contract to a temp otherwise? ( I do want to stay on good terms as I really want to come back to my job ? not another one in the company).

Many thanks.

You don't have to tell them when you're coming back at all. You need to tell them when you need to start leave. They should assume you'll take the full year, and confirm your return date on that basis. If you decide to come back sooner, you just give them at least 28 days' notice and that's that.

If they directly ask you, just say you're not sure how long you'll take yet, so could they please assume a year and then you'll let them know if you decide to return sooner.

Great ? thank you so much. I have already said I thought a year (when first told them I was pregnant) but have put nothing in writing. Does that mean they cannot offer a temp a contract for one year? Am worried about coming across as very awkward and looking like I am making things difficult by saying I am not sure.

How they choose to describe the role to a temp isn't something you need to worry about. 'maternity cover up to a year' is common, but even if they said definitely a year it wouldn't affect your ability to comeback sooner or their ability to give notice to the temp earlier.

Don't feel awkward. It's pretty unusual for pregnant women to be absolutely positive if/when they'll come back and even when they are sure, they frequently change their mind! All normal!

So do you think I should put exactly that in writing when I give my ML start date just to reiterate that I am not confirming to one year (so that they should not assume that)? Or just make no mention of?

I really appreciate your advice ? thank you.

Directgov says you must give eight weeks notice, not 28 days notice.

(I checked, because that's what my confirmation of maternity leave letter says too)

"If you wish to return earlier, for example, when your Statutory Maternity Pay ends, you must give at least eight weeks? notice. "

Sorry hairy is right, posted in a hurry without thinking. 8 weeks. I wouldn't put anything about return date. They are supposed to assume a year unless and until told otherwise. If they ask you, say what we've said here.

Roll on nearly ten weeks and there is no cover in place yet because they are 'finding it difficult'. have just had a call from HR asking me how long I plan to be off so they can offer it as longer if possible. I remained deliberately vague. Isn't this illegal?

It's not illegal to ask you, no. Just say at the moment you would like them to assume you'll take the full year, and if you change your mind you will give them the required notice.