End of maternity leave/Furlough

[abw94]

My 9 months of SMP is coming to an end on the 8th May. My plan before coronavirus was to officially go back to work on the 12th June (so I would have no income from 8th May - 12th June) I was then going to take annual leave from the 12th June - 6th July so I was physically not returning to work until July.

My OH is self employed and unable to work due to the safety guidance from the government, he has not worked since the middle of March and will receive the self employed payment in June. However with the delay in payments to normal businesses he is concerned he won't receive that payment in June and will have to wait a while until we get that.

I am considering asking my employer if I can return to work on the 8th May and be furloughed until whenever it is safe to return to work. I know I run the risk I will return prior to July which is when I intended to, however, we will have no income in May and June it's making me consider asking to be furloughed. Can anyone help/advise on what I should do?

Hey

I am in a similar situation, it’s such a difficult time for all of us so hopefully what I’ve just agreed with my work might help you :) You may be able to do the same thing.
I have asked to use my Keep in touch days for the remaining time. Basically I can’t do a full 8 hours work and look after a baby and DH who has been furloughed is volunteering at the moment so isn’t home all day. So I’ve asked to split my KIT days to half days, so I’m working 20 days at 4 hours. This could tie you over until you know if you’re going to receive you OH money from the government in June and you’ll still of worked 10 days at full pay? It’s not much but it’s at least some money coming in and also won’t effect you on your maternity leave as you’ll still technically be on leave but only of done your 10 KIT days which you’re entitled to work? Then you may not have to go back earlier but this will save you some time to try and figure out if your receive the furloughed money :)

Hope this helps anyways, good luck however you decide to do it :) x