a bit confused about annual leave during maternity - especially before maternity leave

[notsureaboutmaternityleave]

Dear ladies,

I am due with my child on 27th March 2015 (as on MATB1 form)

As I am part-time I am entitled to 15 days of annual leave (which is 5 weeks anyway). I have no plans to use them up before my maternity starts.

I am thinking of leaving work on 19th March (a week or so before due date). I will be able to work from home at the end, so no worries about me going into labour in my office!

Can you use 19th March as start of annual leave and use up paid 5 weeks then have 'maternity leave' officially start after 5 weeks of annual leave has been used up?

I don't think so but could you confirm it for me please? I know I can use up annual leave at the end of maternity leave although the year runs from Jan-Dec, with only 3 days for a part-timer allowed to be carried forward to next year.

Tips appreciated!

Your maternity leave legally has to start the day you give birth.

I think you have to plan to start maternity leave on the date of your MATB1.

Would be a waste to lose your holidays, I would use them before your maternity leave starts & enjoy the chilled run up.

I started my maternity leave on the 10th January 2014. I officially finished maternity leave on the 10th January 2015 and I'm now using up the annual leave I accrued in 2014 (25 days). Normally I would only be able to carry over 5 days but I was allowed to carry it all over. I was encouraged to add it on too, otherwise I'd have 50 days of holiday to take throughout 2015!

I'm not sure legally where you stand but clearly you can't take holiday when you are on maternity leave so I would say if they don't let you add it on at the end you are being discriminated against. Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will be along to clarify.

CanISayOfHerFace, thanks - so you are using up annual leave accrued to spend extra month with the baby before you go back to work? Is it fully paid?

My HR has just replied I am allowed to carry over all accrued holidays over the years too. Does it mean I'd have total annual leave in 2016 = normal annual leave entitlement + accrued annual leave from last year?

Yes I'm taking all 25 days (5 weeks) tagged on the end of my maternity leave. This is paid.

So when you go back in 2016 you will get all of the leave you have accrued in 2015 plus your 2016 allowance.

I'm so jealous of you just about to go on your maternity leave! I've had the best year off work. Enjoy every minute

Aww, that's really sweet that you had nice time off with the baby :)

That's definitely better news than I could hope, thanks!

I'd recommend not using up all your accrued annual leave. My little one caught everything going when she started nursery. I used up all that annual leave taking days off to look after her. Speaking to other mums afterwards it happens to almost all kids. I wish someone had waned me what to expect