Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Does this look bad?

38 replies

user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 00:01

I'm going back to work next month, I'm ending my maternity leave early. I could stay off until June but I'm pregnant again and cannot afford to have 2 maternity leaves back to back.

If you were my employer would you be annoyed? I'll be going back for 3 months then off for a year.

OP posts:
flowery · 08/01/2018 09:26

Well I can't imagine they're thrilled but presumably that doesn't change anything for you anyway. If you're going on maternity leave in May have you informed them of your pregnancy yet, or have you only informed them (presumably giving sufficient notice) of your early return to work from your current maternity leave?

The advantage of you only coming back for 3 months is that they have the opportunity to just keep your maternity cover arrangements in place for continuity, obviously assuming they know you're only coming back for 3 months.

CotswoldStrife · 08/01/2018 09:30

Have you checked your entitlement to any payment for the second maternity leave? Wouldn't want you to return if it's not worth your while.

Does your employer know that you are pregnant and that you are returning early from your previous ML?

Picklepickle123 · 08/01/2018 09:32

Like a PP has said, you need to check what you're entitled to for your second maternity leave. They may be giving you pittance.

CotswoldStrife · 08/01/2018 09:39

This webpage gives some info about the dates that you'd need to be working to get the SMP again (possibility of MA if they don't line up with your plans).

worksmart.org.uk/work-rights/family-friendly-work/maternity-leave/my-maternity-leave-about-finish-and-i-am-pregnant

Original poster
user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 10:58

They don't know I'm pregnant yet.

If I don't go back I'm not entitled to omp. If I go back for 3 months I will get it plus 3 months full pay.

OP posts:
CotswoldStrife · 08/01/2018 13:53

Have they agreed to you returning early, did you give 8 weeks notice or did they accept less?

Original poster
user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 14:17

They do not know I am pregnant. I'm not obliged to tell them until April. I only need to give 4 weeks notice that I wish to return. I haven't given this yet as I haven't had any discussions about returning yet

OP posts:
pastabest · 08/01/2018 14:31

Meh, because of leave owed etc I'm going back for 7 weeks in between maternity leaves.

I don't care Grin

They have had 10 dedicated years of blood, sweat and overtime out of me before maternity leave no 1. After I'm done having children (probably after no 2) they will hopefully get another 20 years of the same again.

It is public sector though which probably makes a difference.

Original poster
user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 15:12

I'm in public sector

OP posts:
flowery · 08/01/2018 17:15

" I only need to give 4 weeks notice that I wish to return."

Are you certain? Statutory requirement is 8 weeks' notice, are you sure your local policy allows you to give less?

pastabest · 08/01/2018 17:48

I thought that whilst eligibility for SMP was calculated on your average earnings between weeks 17 and weeks 25 that you didn't actually have to be back in work from weeks 17 - 25

I'm not coming back from maternity leave until week 19 of this pregnancy, but even with two weeks pay 'missing' my average earnings between week 17 and week 25 will still be well above the £113 a week average required for SMP.

Is that right?

flowery · 08/01/2018 18:03

Yes

Original poster
user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 18:17

I've double checked and it is only 4 weeks notice but I will ask again in the meeting.

I feel bad for just going back for 3 months but I can help it now and i had no idea i would get pregnant immediately. A few years ago as I started this job another woman came back from her 3rd maternity, hers were all quite close together and a few comments were made about her.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 18:20

Can't*

OP posts:
pastabest · 08/01/2018 18:47

Well let them make comments. Who cares. Your not doing anything illegal.

At the end of the day I'm taking the tack that it's better to get it over and done with in a few years in one go rather than disrupting my career twice by spacing it out more.

If anything we are being efficient... and that's an excellent quality to aspire to in the public sector Grin

flowery · 08/01/2018 18:56

” I feel bad for just going back for 3 months but I can help it now”

I assume you meant you can’t help it now? Surely that’s not quite true? If you’re not far along enough in your pregnancy to have needed to tell your employer yet then you don’t have to go off again in May, surely?

I’m not saying you should do anything differently, I think every woman should make whatever decision is right for her and her family. Just doesn’t seem right to say you can’t help it if actually you can, that’s all.

Original poster
user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 19:11

The reason I said May is based on how I felt during my last pregnancy, so I will probably be there till end of May as a best bet. Maybe a bit further along if things go well. Both pregnancies are v high risk

OP posts:
flowery · 08/01/2018 19:19

Hope it goes smoothly for you Smile

Tipsntoes · 08/01/2018 19:21

Yes, they'll be fed up, but there's nothing they can do about it.

This is the law and obviously, you're going to take advantage of what you're entitled to but it is one of the reason's I've never been a fan of extended maternity leave entitlements. It doesn't make it very difficult for firms to employ women of child bearing age. IMO it hinders, not helps women in the workplace.

I'm not sure why you're asking the question, what's going to change as a result of the answers?

Tipsntoes · 08/01/2018 19:22

Sigh, it does make it difficult...

gamerwidow · 08/01/2018 19:24

As a manager I’d be pissed off because it’s a pita organising maternity cover but I’d keep it to myself.

Original poster
user1485778793 · 08/01/2018 19:54

They did have someone in to cover my job, but with cut backs I'm not actually sure there is a job for me to back to, they will slot me in but I'm pretty sure there isn't much being covered at the moment.

If everything goes ok this time I don't think I'll return after this baby is born.

OP posts:
YellowMakesMeSmile · 08/01/2018 20:06

I think going back for three months just to get maternity pay and then quit is the reason why so many employers favour employing men.

They are going to be happy and whilst they can't do anything about it it's morally wrong.

Dilligaf81 · 08/01/2018 20:08

Op the Sam happened with me with dc2 and dc3. When I returned I had an update chat a month after returning and told him my news. His instant reaction was a big smile and congratulations. To be honest it doesn't matter what they think, you can do what you like within the rules and this is about your family life.

pastabest · 08/01/2018 20:23

if it makes you feel better yellow the public sector (who the OP works for) tends to make you pay everything other than statutory pay back if you don't go back for 3 months before leaving after maternity leave.

It's not morally wrong at all. Don't be silly. Why does it make any difference if the OP goes back for 3 months before going on the next lot of maternity leave or goes back for a year before leaving again? The time off is the same. The amount paid whilst on maternity leave is the same.

Should women just stop having children?

Swipe left for the next trending thread