Sickness and work

[Teenibop]

I am suffering from terrible sciatica at present with my first child and I'm only 24 weeks. The doctor keeps
Signing me off work at a month at a time but I'm worried work will sack me. Can the doctor sign me off till after the baby is born or can I request early maternity leave?

I believe they can't take disciplinary action (including sacking you) if you're sick because of your pregnancy, under the equalities act.

It sounds mercenary, but I would make the decision based on finances. If you're being paid sick pay, I would stay signed off sick. Employers can force you to start mat leave at 36 weeks if you're off sick because of pregnancy at that point, but not before. You can choose to start earlier if you want to.

Any pregnancy related sickness cannot be counted as absence.

You can start your maternity leave early, I think it is around 12 weeks before your due date. Best check ACAS or gov.uk website for more accurate details.

Have work hinted at any issues around your absences?

They haven't hinted at making me redundant due to my sickness, however I have mentioned that I can't see me coming back
To work before the baby is here and was told I would need to discuss this with them further after my next doctors appointment. I am terribly worried that they will find a way around it as it's not a nice company to work and there have been incidents in the past with other colleagues not being able
To work when pregnant.