Hello,
Looking for some advice as to how to respond to any email. I am 18 weeks pregnant with DC2. Work have already asked me to confirm my plans, so I sent a letter confirming all relevant information, including mat leave start date. I then stated something along the lines of 'I understand I am entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave, therefore the latest I can return to work is X date. If I would like to return sooner I will give you a minimum of 8 weeks notice.'
Work have subsequently emailed me to confirm my return date. I am a little frustrated as I thought my letter was clear enough plus I believe they should assume I will be off for full period?
To put this into context, with DC1, work persuaded me to confirm my return date in advance, which I soon realised was a mistake as (once baby arrived) I wanted longer off than the 26 weeks initially agreed. I extended my mat leave by another 8 weeks, which didn't go down well. This time I would rather them work to worse case scenario of 1 year off.
Can anyone advise me how to respond?
Should I just say 'I am not in a position to confirm my return date yet, so please assume I will be off for the full 52 weeks period and if I wish to return sooner I will give you appropriate notice'.
Sorry to ramble, I work for a private company who often do things their way. I kinda want to enforce the point that they shouldn't be asking but I do realise work need to plan too.