Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Maternity Leave

9 replies

tryingfortwo · 19/09/2007 11:09

Hi

Can anyone give me advice. I am currently 31 weeks and having problems sleeping and have anemia too. I had planned to work up until 4 weeks prior to due date, but I now really want to stop asap as I'm just so tired all the time and work is just making it worse. I've emailed my HR manager with my request but I'd like to know what my rights are. I'm waiting to see a doctor - 2 weeks before I could get an appointment and I suppose I could get a sick line for a few weeks but I'd rather not be off sick if I can help it.

Thanks

OP posts:
BetsyBoop · 19/09/2007 13:36

you are normally supposed to give 28days notice to change your m/l start date, but your employer may be willing to overlook/reduce this in the circumstances. (guess that will depend on whether they have your replacement sorted etc)

However don't feel guilty about going off sick if you need to, you & baby need to come first. All this means is that your m/l will automatically start 4wks prior to your "expected week of comfinement" (as it is a pregnancy related reason) - which is when you intended your m/l to start anyway. You can't be discriminated against for being sick due to pregnancy (eg treating it as a disciplinary matter) as it's automatically sex discrimination.

flowerybeanbag · 19/09/2007 14:00

don't worry tryingfortwo, it would be highly stupid of your employer to make you carry on working in these circumstances just because the law says 28 days notice to change as Betsy said. If anything happened to you or your baby because you carried on working when you wanted to stop for health reasons they could be in some serious hot water.

If not, just go off sick and worry about getting a note later, don't soldier on please, it's not worth it.

Original poster
tryingfortwo · 20/09/2007 09:24

Thanks very much, I've been hearing the same thing from my dh and mum but I've been a bit dismissive. I'm just run down I think. Will give work another call today and hopefully they can let me know so I can stop worrying about it all on top of everything else I've got to worry about.

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
tryingfortwo · 20/09/2007 09:24

Thanks very much, I've been hearing the same thing from my dh and mum but I've been a bit dismissive. I'm just run down I think. Will give work another call today and hopefully they can let me know so I can stop worrying about it all on top of everything else I've got to worry about.

Thanks

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 20/09/2007 09:27

Do try not to worry about it. You can imagine how often this happens, it's impossible to know how you are going to be feeling late in pregnancy when you first organise your maternity leave, so loads of women realise that they need to stop earlier than planned, it's so common.

Give them a ring as you say, I'm sure it will probably be fine, then you can relax a bit and concentrate on getting ready for baby.

crokky · 20/09/2007 09:32

tryingfortwo - hope it goes OK and don't worry. I had to start my maternity leave at about 30 weeks as I was not well. You'll feel much better once you are off and please don't worry about being off sick either.

Original poster
tryingfortwo · 20/09/2007 14:15

I spoke to manager and she was absolutely fine about it, they are happier for me to go off on ml than sick leave so no problems there at all. Big relief. Stress has halved already.

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 20/09/2007 14:26

Excellent! Relax and enjoy your maternity leave.

BetsyBoop · 20/09/2007 15:44

great news

rest & relax while you can, soon you won't have chance

New posts on this thread. Refresh page