Another maternity leave one!

[PatheticDistraction]

I'm 24 weeks pregnant & have worked for the same employer for 6 years, I moved from Self Employed to fixed term 3.5 years ago.

My current FTC finishes the day I was hoping to go on maternity leave (2 weeks prior to due date) - although had I not been going on mat leave, it would be extended by 2 months on my current project - so according to my union I would be entitled to enhance maternity pay for the extended period, but not beyond.

I think I could technically take mat leave 11 weeks prior to my due date, and I'm now wondering if that is actually in my best interests - would I receive enhanced pay from that point, as my contract would still be in force?

I don't want to take the piss - but it's a significant sum of money to me.

I should also add - it's quite a stressful job, and if there's an option for going on early leave & being paid for it, I'd be tempted to take it!

You’d need to check what your employer’s policy is on what the enhanced maternity package is

So I've spoken to my union, and yes - I could take maternity leave 11 weeks prior to my due date - and that should all be paid at the enhanced rate.

Otherwise I work up until my due date, and thereafter don't receive enhanced pay. I don't want to take the piss & leave my projects early - but it feels a bit mad to not take a break at the full pay I would be entitled to.

Not that it's my employer's problem - but I have a disabled child & the juggle of work/ his care & pregnancy is very difficult at times.

Just start your maternity leave a few days after the full maternity rights kick in ... you've been employed there for years so why shouldn't you get the full mat pay

Thank you - I could take mat leave on full pay from 16th March until my contract finishes on 12th May.

Or I could work out my contract and just go on leave from the 12th on statutory pay. If I finish in March I would feel awful leaving my projects in the lurch- but equally I have the option to take fully paid leave for 11 weeks, which I won't have otherwise!

The other thing about taking leave early is that I would have extra holiday owed to me (which I had planned to take over Easter) - which would extend my paid time off. It really does benefit me dramatically to go off early, but I feel overwhelming guilt about abandoning my projects!