Too late to extend maternity leave ?

[Liveinthepresent]

Ok this is probably hypothetical as I imagine it is too late.
I pre agreed my mat leave before I had my DS and after he was born work wrote to me confirming my mat leave dates and a return date mid December - with the expectation that I would then use my remaining accrued 2013 annual leave and return to work early January.
I have subsequently agreed with my line manager that I will use some 2014 leave in January to ease myself back to work while settling DS in to childcare.
if I wanted to extend the mat leave a little possibly just a few weeks how much notice would I have to give and how understanding would you expect an employer to be with a late request ?
It probably wouldn't make much difference in practical terms as I would be willing to do KIT days - but would save my 2014 holiday for later in the year.

It's 8 weeks notice so yes I think you're out of time technically because your return date is mid December but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ring up on Monday and ask very nicely. Will depend on the workload - if I was counting the days till you came back I wouldn't be pleased but unlikely to actually object unless I was desperate.

Thanks that makes sense - in reality I think it's more my finances it will impact on as I would be still doing a couple of days as KIT but the rest of the week would be statutory mat pay instead of paid holiday. Hmmm will ponder a bit more and maybe phone on Monday to ask. Nothing ventured nothing gained.