Sickness before maternity

[DWSDB]

Can any managers or anyone in this situation answer this question. I’m due at the end of the year and I know I’ll be forced to go on mat leave 4 weeks before if I go on sick now.

If I book in the last of my leave for the start of December would I still get paid for it?

Long story short I’ve got a lot of stress in my life right now including a very thankless and stressful job in which my management have offered little to no support or work reduction since I told them I was pregnant. They never check in on me and might as well roll their eyes when I discuss how hard this pregnancy has been or how much pain I am in. I’m at the end of my tether and higher management are shit.

so the question is if I could be on sick until dec 1st then take 2 weeks off until the 15th could I start mat on the 15th rather than the 30th of Nov?

I appreciate the position I’d be putting my company in, but I’ve tried on multiple occasions to ask for support and have worked myself to the point where I am crying myself to sleep most nights.

Maternity Action

For information on maternity and parental rights at work and benefits, see: www.maternityaction.org.uk

Maternity Rights Advice Line:
Nationwide (except London) – 0808 802 0029
London (if you live or work in a London borough) – 0808 802 0057
For opening hours see: maternityaction.org.uk/advice-line/

https://www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/maternity-and-parental-rights/check-your-maternity-and-parental-rights/rights-while-pregnant-or-on-maternity-leave/rights-while-youre-pregnant-at-work/

Yes, in my company you can book leave up to your maternity due date. The only thing that would change it is if you had the baby early obviously. Just make sure your sick note goes until just before the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy. Do you have a friendly HR person you could check with? Hypothetically of course!

Good luck I hope you can get something sorted. I really struggled at work with my second pregnancy, it was so tough xxx

The sickness within 4 weeks only triggers the start of maternity leave if it is pregnancy related sickness, if you get signed off with stress or something like that it wouldn’t impact your maternity leave.

If you are off sick with a 'pregnancy related' illness they can force your maternity 4 weeks prior to your agreed date. If the illness is not pregnancy related then it is up to you to decide when you start maternity. Good luck! I am a manager but also currently on maternity so I have been on both sides.

@DWSDB personally I would let Mat leave start at 4 weeks before EWC and keep the leave to take after Mat leave.

This gives you more flexibility. Plus if you have to return for a period or repay occupational mat pay the leave can count towards the required working period.

As a pp says if it’s stress related sick absence you don’t have to start mat leave 4 weeks before EWC.