Can my employer start my maternity leave early if sick?

[hannahroberts37]

I am 26 weeks pregnant with #2 and I have awful pain in my ribs with is only eased by lying on my back. My job is a desk job and it's an absolute killer sitting all day as the pain gets worse. I went to see my Doctor and he said the only thing they can do is sign me off. My question is, if I get signed off can my employer start my mat leave early? I've heard they can start it 4 weeks before due date which is when I intend on finishing anyway. Can anyone shed any light? Many thanks :)

Yes from 36 weeks.

From what I remember they can enforce you to start mat leave at 36 weeks if its not pg related, like you have broken your wrist (for example).
However if it is pregnancy related they can enforce it from 29 weeks.

HaitchJay is right. They can start it if you are off for pg-related sickness absence from 36 weeks. If your sickness absence is completely unrelated to pregnancy, they can't forcibly start it at all.

Agree with flowery

Hi been in this situation twice...although the earliest you can start maternity leave is from 29 weeks pregnant if you want to, if you have a maternity related illness they can only force you to start it 4 weeks before your due date and like HaitchJay and flowery said not at all if it isn't pregnancy related

Thanks for getting back to me everyone. It is pregnancy related. That good to know, thanks :)