Going full time prior to maternity?

[N400]

I am currently part time within the NHS. There is the opportunity to go full time from September. This would be fine for me as I have childcare in place for my 2 children now and I would jump at the chance ....except I am 7 weeks pregnant (early days!).

I would not be able to full time once given birth I don't think and would likely need part time again.

My issue is, am I right to assume I would not be able to go full time in Sept like offered...because I would only be doing this for 3 months before going on maternity and then coming back part time. The money prior to going off would be insanely helpful, however it feels very cheeky to then be getting the better full time maternity pay for a few months into maternity if I'm returning part time?

Not sure if they will say I can't go full time once they find out I'm pregnant and people's thoughts?

Thanks

There is nothing stopping you from applying for full-time. The issue is the assumption you could return after mat leave to part time, that would usually need a flexible working request.

It’s cheeky but do-able. It’s really the post that’s going FT I imagine and maternity cover would be FT.
the danger is them refusing PT on return.

The only issue would be being refused to return to part time after your maternity leave. The FT period wouldn’t benefit you for maternity pay (it’s too late) but it would for annual leave, which might also be helpful.

I agree with others that the issue might be coming back PT.

Also, check if it might affect your maternity pay. Sometimes changing role can do that I think? But maybe that's only if you leave your company which you obviously wouldn't be

I would have thought there is quite a real risk of them not agreeing PT on your return if you have willingly gone FT so recently.

When you day the money would be useful, do you mean OMP, or addition earnings from salary? Check the OMP qualifying weeks, but SMP is calculated around weeks 17-25.

I'd also say you run a very real risk of not getting your PT hours back on return from ML.

Cheeky AF and dishonest.