being asked when going on ML etc

[flintski]

Hello,

I am 18 weeks pg and have informed (orally) my place of employment that I am pregnant (I am a teacher) and roughly when I hope to leave for ML and roughly when I hope to go back. I know I don't have to do this formally for a while but wanted to be helpful as they need to appoint someone before the holidays to do my job.

I have now received am email asking me to outline date I am leaving, due date and date of returning. Do I have to do this at this stage? and if not, should I do it to keep onside?

any thoughts? Thanks

If you don't know yet you don't have to tell them. You can technically wait until 15 weeks before your due date, although most people don't leave it that long as most people know before then when they plan to start their leave.

If you genuinely don't know yet, then you can say that. If you think you know, then you could say, to be helpful, bearing in mind you can always change your mind with 8 weeks' notice.

If you do decide to tell them, obviously you can confirm your due date, and can tell them a date you will be hopefully starting your leave all going to plan, but I would advise you not to commit to any return date. If you don't specify your employer must assume you will take the full year, so I'd suggest you say you haven't considered a return date yet so would like them to work on the assumption you will take your full year entitlement.

Yes, what Flowery said.

Unless they are putting pressure on you, I think it's wrong to worry about what they 'can' and 'can't' do TBH. I would think about whether you have any idea yet (i.e. focus on your best interests). If you have, it's polite and helpful to let them know. The better your maternity cover, the easier your life will be. As Flowery said, I'd tell them to assume a full year on the return date, but that you're not sure for definite.

hi again,

thanks so much for the replies and apologies for not responding until now!

think I will do as both of you suggest and write a letter but add some notes of caution to it! Its unlikely that I will have the year off but will cover myself as you suggested.

thanks again