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Work

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Breastfeeding & working

4 replies

ihave4children · 13/12/2009 12:49

hi, i am new on here. i return to work in 3 weeks and i an still breastfeeding. do i need to inform my employers in writing or will verbally do?

OP posts:
butadream · 13/12/2009 22:31

This says:

" Parents
Maternity leave: returning to work

Find out about your employment rights and responsibilities when you return to work after maternity leave, including what you can do if you have any problems or if you are denied your rights.
Returning to work

When you return to work after ordinary maternity leave, you have a right to the same job and the same terms and conditions as if you hadn?t been absent.

This also applies when you come back after additional maternity leave, unless your employer shows that it?s not reasonably practicable for them to take you back in your original job (for example, because the job no longer exists). In that case, you must be offered alternative work with terms and conditions as if you hadn?t been absent.

  • Employment contracts (employment section)

Giving notice of your return to work

If you take your full 52 weeks' leave, you don?t need to give notice that you are coming back, but it?s a good idea to do so.

If you decide not to return to work at all, you must give your employer notice in the normal way.

  • Notice periods (employment section)

If you don?t want to take your full leave

Your employer must assume that you will take all 52 weeks of your maternity leave.

You may not want to take all of your leave. If you wish to return earlier, for example at the end of your paid leave you must give at least eight weeks? notice that you:

  • are returning to work early
  • want to change the date of your return

Your employer can insist that you don?t return until the eight weeks have passed.

  • Notice periods (employment section)

What happens if you are ill at the end of your leave

If you can?t return to work at the end of your maternity leave because of illness, tell your employer in the normal way.

  • Sick pay rights - find out more (employment section)

Flexible working

As the parent of a child aged 16 or under, or a disabled child under 18, you are entitled to request a flexible working pattern. This can help you balance caring for your child and work. Your employer must consider your request and respond to you in writing.

  • Flexible working and work-life balance (employment section)

Breastfeeding

You should let your employer know in writing if you are planning to breastfeed when you return to work. Ideally you should do this before you return so that your employer has time to plan.

Your employer must carry out a risk assessment to identify risks to you as a breastfeeding mother or to your baby. If there are risks they must do all that is reasonable to remove the risks or make alternative arrangements for you. Your employer must also provide suitable rest facilities.

Although there is no legal requirement, employers are encouraged to provide a private, healthy and safe environment for nursing mothers to express and store milk."

How old will your baby be when you return to work?

butadream · 13/12/2009 22:32

Sorry overpasted, scroll down near the end!

ihave4children · 14/12/2009 08:05

thanks, he will be 7 months old, and not going to express milk, so probably wouldn't get any 'benefits'.

OP posts:
butadream · 14/12/2009 15:28

I was going to say, I went back to work when DS was 8 months and supply adjusted fine so I never expressed either - in that case I don't think you need to say anything about it.

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