Pressure from boss to tell her when I want to start mat leave

[yellowflowers]

Am 13 weeks pg and told my boss at 12 weeks. She emailed today asking when I want to start mat leave so we can plan ahead. I don't know yet - when do I have to tell her a) legally and b) to be helpful? And until when can I change my mind?

Why are you having difficulty deciding? Of course it requires a bit of thought but I don't see why it would take you very long to figure out once you have your due date?

Depends on money which may be different in six months than now plus how tired I am and the physical side (last pregnancy I could barely walk last three weeks).

I think you have to formally tell them 15 weeks before expected due date (edd) ie 25 wks pg, give them your expected ML start date (you can start your leave anytime after 11 weeks before Edd ie 29 wks pg).
If you want to change the date later you can do as long as you give 28 days notice.

As a manager myself though I have been pissed off in the past by people sticking to these dates as it only gives me 4 weeks to recruit (I know thats not politically correct!) so I would give her an indication informally without making a commitment

I can fully understand why you would not be sure of the dates, you don't know how you are going to feel especially if its your first. i originally planned to work until 36 weeks, later changed to 32 weeks (twins) as could not cope with commute and workload.

Best of luck

Thanks cerveebee. I think I want to say my plan is to work as long as possible because due date is just before Christmas so that would mean I could take a whole calendar year off but I want to see how things go before formally committing to that. As a manager how would you feel about that kind of answer?

I think that's fine. When I said I got pissed off it was when an employee didn't tell me she was pg until 25 weeks and went off at 29 weeks which I know is legal but not very helpful!