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Original poster

Return to work as a teacher advice needed

12 replies

JellyCatMiffy · 28/04/2025 12:14

Hello I went on maternity leave and welcomed my baby in November last year and I’ve recently been planning my return to work before my maternity pay stops. I was planning on returning to work for a couple of days before the school broke up for the summer holidays. I recently had a phone call with work to discuss this and they have so far rejected this and asked me to return for at least two weeks before the summer holidays as this worked better for them. I then asked if my return to work could just be noted as the first day of the summer holidays as I’ve heard of other teachers doing this before but I was told no. I’m just wondering what my rights are here? I don’t have any friends or family nearby who can care for my child for those two weeks or anyone at all for that matter and I can’t afford to put her in nursery for an entire term just to cover those two weeks. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
ItTook9Years · 28/04/2025 13:09

This is a common trick for teachers.

But as long as you are giving 8 weeks notice of your revised return date, they have to accept that. What date did you say you were returning before you went off, or have they assumed you’ll be off for the full 12 months?

workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/your-rights-at-the-end-of-maternity-leave-returning-to-work-or-choosing-to-resign/#:~:text=You%20have%20a%20right%20to,your%20employer%20the%20required%20notice.

QuickPeachPoet · 28/04/2025 13:13

Two days before the end of term is taking the mick a bit OP. Might be allowed but do try and see where they are coming from.

OhHellolittleone · 28/04/2025 13:15

QuickPeachPoet · 28/04/2025 13:13

Two days before the end of term is taking the mick a bit OP. Might be allowed but do try and see where they are coming from.

No it isn’t. It’s really really normal on teaching. You return for a few days to do a handover for
yoyr new class in September/ do some
clearing out and move into the New classroom.

OP just tell them it’s what you are doing. Give them 8 weeks notice of the date and tell them you can’t accommodate their request. They really shouldn’t be asking you to do that at all.

OhHellolittleone · 28/04/2025 13:17

Or have a look at doing shared parental leave (there’s a great website - google teachers shared parental) and you will get paid for the summer and also not need to return in September.

Original poster
JellyCatMiffy · 28/04/2025 16:31

ItTook9Years · 28/04/2025 13:09

This is a common trick for teachers.

But as long as you are giving 8 weeks notice of your revised return date, they have to accept that. What date did you say you were returning before you went off, or have they assumed you’ll be off for the full 12 months?

workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/your-rights-at-the-end-of-maternity-leave-returning-to-work-or-choosing-to-resign/#:~:text=You%20have%20a%20right%20to,your%20employer%20the%20required%20notice.

Thank you so much! I thought that was the case… I never gave a definite return date so I think they assumed I was taking the whole 12 months.

OP posts:
Original poster
JellyCatMiffy · 28/04/2025 16:34

QuickPeachPoet · 28/04/2025 13:13

Two days before the end of term is taking the mick a bit OP. Might be allowed but do try and see where they are coming from.

I do appreciate that which was why I suggested having my return to work date as the start of the summer holidays instead. And if it’s within my rights then I’m obviously going to try for that 🤷‍♀️ Like I said I just have no one who can look after my baby for a whole two weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
JellyCatMiffy · 28/04/2025 16:37

OhHellolittleone · 28/04/2025 13:15

No it isn’t. It’s really really normal on teaching. You return for a few days to do a handover for
yoyr new class in September/ do some
clearing out and move into the New classroom.

OP just tell them it’s what you are doing. Give them 8 weeks notice of the date and tell them you can’t accommodate their request. They really shouldn’t be asking you to do that at all.

Show quote history

Thank you so much! This is very reassuring I will look into doing this! Thank you for your help!

OP posts:
DontKnowHelpMe · 28/04/2025 16:37

I returned on the first day of the summer holiday. Got paid over the summer and didn’t have to go in to work at all.

I was under no illusion that, had I given birth on the first day of the summer holiday, my maternity pay would have started on that day and my pay would have dropped after 2 weeks.

*My point being that you do what works for you and your family. The school will not be thinking about you. They will focus on themselves.

Original poster
JellyCatMiffy · 28/04/2025 16:37

OhHellolittleone · 28/04/2025 13:17

Or have a look at doing shared parental leave (there’s a great website - google teachers shared parental) and you will get paid for the summer and also not need to return in September.

Thank you! I will also look into this :)

OP posts:
DontKnowHelpMe · 28/04/2025 16:41

Are you in a union?

https://neu.org.uk/latest/library/maternity-leave

Original poster
JellyCatMiffy · 28/04/2025 16:42

DontKnowHelpMe · 28/04/2025 16:37

I returned on the first day of the summer holiday. Got paid over the summer and didn’t have to go in to work at all.

I was under no illusion that, had I given birth on the first day of the summer holiday, my maternity pay would have started on that day and my pay would have dropped after 2 weeks.

*My point being that you do what works for you and your family. The school will not be thinking about you. They will focus on themselves.

Edited

Yes I did think that too! Thank you :)

OP posts:
Original poster
JellyCatMiffy · 28/04/2025 16:42

DontKnowHelpMe · 28/04/2025 16:41

I am I did have a look but couldn’t find anything specific to this situation at least in my panic this morning 😂

OP posts:
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