Mat leave

How many weeks are you, if you go off sick it will automatically trigger maternity if 36w+? Xx

Can you get away with wfh and not doing much?!? Or take some additional days sick - maybe with something pregnancy related as that shouldn’t show on your sick record?

Hi name twin! I'm in the exact same boat! I'm trying my hardest to make it until 24th of Nov but I'm really struggling with the commute. My work won't let me work from home either but are encouraging me to go on maternity leave early.
You can ask your HR to move your maternity up for you at any time, I believe. If you can't physically do the role anymore just rest mama and don't feel bad about it!

what’s the reason they won’t let you wfh, is it not possible? Have they done a risk assessment for you? I’d be very concerned with the lack of flexibility unless you physically can’t do your job.

I'm 8 months pregnant and they haven't done a risk assessment with me! I had a meeting last week about it as I was in hospital last week due to bleeding and needed to take the rest of the week off. I asked, can I work from home at least 1 day a week as I have a full days worth of things to do but they just said "we'll see". I asked now that I've been with the company 2 years and accrue 4 extra annual days, can I use that to go off early. "Oh we'll see". I'm like I haven't even had a risk assessment done! I don't complain and am still working 9-6. You have to try and help me out here. It's literally 2 weeks before I go and you're still not giving me answers. I'm very frustrated. Fyi I'm gemologist so yes, very hands on job but I do have enough work for at least 1 day wfh.

omg, a pregnancy health & safety risk assessment is a legal requirement! You could take them to employment tribunal over this (not that you’d want to as that’s a huge amount of hassle) - I’ve had a lot of issues with my work and had to get lawyers involved. One of the main things they failed with is no risk assessment was ever done. I’d bring this up to them if you feel comfortable as this could help them be more accommodating.

I was under the impression it’s usually automatically triggered as you are longer entitled to SSP 😊

unfortunately, it's technically considered a small company that does big business. I only get 6 weeks pay at 90% then Statutory. I was shocked by this but just trying to carry on hence why I'm also trying to make it until the 24th as I have only enough annual to get me through the end of November.

When are risk assessments supposed to be done usually?

I was supposed to be going off on 11th November but I was struggling so much & babies growing on the smaller side so I really needed to rest, so I told my boss and emailed HR and they activated my maternity asap so I actually went off on 28th October! Only two weeks earlier than planned but I’m so happy I did. If you’re struggling, I would really try and get off asap. It’s not worth exhausting yourself and not being ready for birth / labour just for an extra couple of weeks when baby is here! I would say have a conversation with HR and see what they can do for you x

if your due to go on mat leave soon and still have annual leave they have to give it to you before u go off or at least have written confirmation that they will carry it over to next year for you so you don’t lose it altogether. Personally if it was me I would email HR/manager so that you have a paper trail requesting you get your annual leave pre or post mat leave so you have a paper trail. And as others have said it is a legal requirement for risk assessments to be carried out, think possibly 3 minimum across the course of your pregnancy each trimester and more if anything changes within that time, hope you get it sorted and don’t let them guilt trip you x

I put a sick note in for 2 week, then further extended it for another 2. It ends on the 12th and I then have a weeks worth of holidays in place and then my maternity is beginning x

I’ve just done the same! I was due to finish the 24th but due to issues and multiple growth scans. I need a break before baby boy is here. So I’ve asked HR and I’m finishing on Friday xx

My HR said I could move my mat leave up if i gave a month's notice, or if you're within that u can just go off sick and ur mat leave will automatically start

Yes you have 2 options, either give 28 days notice (might be a little late for this but your manager and HR dept might be completely understanding and not mind you've missed the deadline and let you go when you want) or you go on sick and they will trigger maternity leave the following day. I'm Hr so reach out if you need any advice! x