Argh! Having a crap pregnancy, and already been off due to hyperemesis for most of it. I had just returned to work (I managed 3 shifts!) and now I've had a premature rupture of membranes, and been in hospital again for 3 nights while they observe me in case I go into labour. Now home, and going to spend the next 4 weeks watching and waiting, and if I don't go into labour before 36 weeks then they will intervene due to risk of infection etc...Consultant advised me not to return to work.
My question is:
although I'm expecting the baby earlier than normal, this doesn't change my EWC does it? My boss has emailed me to say that she thinks my maternity leave should start yesterday due to pregnancy-related absence (I'm only 31 weeks). I am fairly certain that although mat leave starts automatically if you're sick due to pregnancy-related reasons in the last 4 weeks before EWC, before that it should be treated as ordinary sickness. Our company's leave policy seems to says this too (and directGov), but she seems to have read it completely differently...
thanks for any clarity on the issue!