Sick leave at end of mat leave

[Happyhippos21]

Im due to return to work from mat leave at the end of Feb. I have just been informed I need to have surgery in January. I no i can request to end my mat leave early. Would it be wrong to end my mat leave early so that i get paid sick pay? I will need about 6 weeks off for my op. If im still on mat leave i wont get paid anything. I had not planned to take 12 months mat leave but circumstances kind of got thrown in the air with needing to get this op and iv been hesitant to go back sooner while getting scans etc.

Do what suits you!

My work has a certain amount of noticed you have to give that you want to return to work/change the plan. Maybe you need to check your mat policy but if your going to have a doctor note to be signed off it makes sense to get paid sick pay.

You need to give work 8 weeks notice to come back before the 12 month mark.

You need to check how long you have to be back for before you are entitled to sick leave. My friend was in hospital when her maternity leave ended, but employer not at all sympathetic, as she had not returned after maternity leave, she had to pay maternity leave back. And go on sick leave officially. If she had gone back for even a couple of weeks between maternity leave ending and sick leave starting, she would have been better off financially

Remember you need to give 8 weeks notice to end your mat leave.

That scenario actually sounds completely dodgy. Your colleague had continuity of service and should not have been at a disadvantage due to maternity leave.

i thought it was dodgy too, but months of solicitors wrangling haven't got her out of having to pay back her maternity benefits

8 weeks notice is in my contract but i had planned to return early and before getting my scans etc i spoke to hr who said in reality you can come back sooner than 8 weeks. It depends when payroll falls but usually they can bring you back sooner.

I dont see anything in my contract about needing to return to work before getting sick pay. I work for a huge company, I don't think they would try and screw people over with difficult terms.

Do you mean 8 weeks after giving birth you plan to go back but be on sick or do you mean give 8 weeks notice to go back? You just need to ask for a copy of your maternity policy I think. But being on mat leave shouldn't affect any other policies and should count as being "employed".

Well you’ll need childcare for those 6 weeks, so you’ll need income.

I would be very careful. You are protected more under maternity leave than sick leave. If you have sick leave now then something else happens and you need further sick leave then it will count against you