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Original poster

Can my boss tell me when to start my maternity leave?

10 replies

runnyhabbit · 02/01/2007 17:05

Would really appreciate some advice as my boss wants to me start my maternity leave 6 weeks before my due date.

OP posts:
LoveMyGirls · 02/01/2007 17:09

No i don't think that it is up to them, the earlier your mat leave starts the less time you will have off when baby arrives so i think it should be your choice not theirs. this may help

fairyjay · 02/01/2007 17:09

No, you decide. But out of courtesy - particularly if you want to go back to the same company - I would try and discuss it with your boss.

BadHair · 02/01/2007 17:13

Yes, but ONLY if you're off sick with a pregnancy-related illness within the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy.

If you're healthy you can work right up until the time you are due to give birth, assuming that there are no health and safety risks with you being at work (ie you won't be climbing scaffolding etc.).

uwila · 02/01/2007 17:14

No. Absolutely not. I always told them I was working until the day it was born. I enjoyed watching middle aged men get really nervous about being in an elevator with a VERY pregnant woman. You could just seem them thinking "oh shit I hope she doesn't below before this door opens again". There were only 4 floor in the building for God's sake. So one day on the ride up I looked at this guy, groaned a bent over. Then stood up, smiled, and said "just kidding".

I don't think he appreciated my joke.

mummydear · 02/01/2007 17:15

I dont think he can , maternity leave must start at the latest on your due date. So you could start it on your due date and have holiday leave before hand .

The following is a quote from Cow & Gate website.

You can start it from anytime up to 11 weeks before your baby is due or you can decide to work right up until your due date and take the full whack afterwards.

and heres the link

taylormama · 02/01/2007 17:16

not up to your boss .... you can start maternity leave up to 11 weeks before your EDD. If you have a good relationship with your boss then you should have a meeting to discuss this with him/her and have a plan of action etc ....

Original poster
runnyhabbit · 02/01/2007 17:18

Thank you. You've confirmed what I thought.

Think he's a bit concerned because I'm in the office on my own for a lot of the time (and his wife went 7 weeks early with their ds) We had a chat about it today, and I told him that I thought 6 weeks was excessive. I've got holidays to use up, so I'm sure we'll come to some sort of compromise, and I do want to back there. Just wanted to know where I stood officially.

OP posts:
fairyjay · 02/01/2007 17:27

He's obviously concerned for you, rather than being dictatorial - and with the experience of his wife, you can see where he's coming from!

uwila · 02/01/2007 17:35

i agreee he is genuinely concerned. But, also it is still your baby, your pregnancy and your maternity leave, so remember to choose the course that is best for you. Some (most) men prefer heavily pregnant women are not in the office because it make them (the men) a bit squeamish. But, that is not a reason to force you onto maternity leave early if it is not what you want.

Of course it depends on what they offer for your mat package. If they are going to pay you at say 90% for 6 months then leaving a couple of weeks early might be fine. But if you are only getting 6 weeks at 90£ and then SMP, those two weeks of pay might make a difference.

mummydear · 02/01/2007 17:51

If you have the baby before the date you start maternity leave then you will start mat leave when the baby is born for the purposes for pay etc

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