Maternity Leave - Pregnancy

tobyt2000

03/12/2006 at 10:03

When is everyone planning on leaving work to begin their maternity leave? Is anyone going to take advantage of the 9 month maternity that comes in after April 2007?

wenders

03/12/2006 at 11:22

hiya

I'm due 10th june, I'll definatly be taking the full 9 months + the 3 months unpaid leave I'm entitled to. I had a full 12 months off when I had daniel (14 months now) & planned this one so it would be born after april so we would be a tiny bit better off.

I think 6 months off is just not long enough, it's about time the government see that. appartently in a couple of years they are extending it to 12 months paid leave. but they'll probably put it off for as long as they can.

wendy xx (pregnant - 13 weeks)

SAMF

04/12/2006 at 05:34

hi!! i'm due on the 9 th april!! most def taking 9 months off. i'm hoping to work up to 34/35 weeks, then i've got 2 weeks annual leave before my mat leave starts... sounds good in theory!! i'm almost ready now to ensure i don't have any mad panics over nursery or anything when i'm off. what's everyone else planning on doing? am i being unrealistic in wanting to work until 5/6 weeks before?

clindley

04/12/2006 at 08:19

i wish i could take advantage of the 9 months thingy but bump is due one week (!!!!) before it comes into force and have been told that they go by due dates rather than bith dates - we'll see! i am going to try to have at least 9 months off, if not a year. see how the finances go...

clairelouiseb Platinum member

04/12/2006 at 10:55

Hi I will definitely be taking the full 9 months and if we can cope financially I'll only be going back part time. Claire x ( 12weeks pregnant )

fall3n-ang3l Platinum member

04/12/2006 at 11:19

hello,my baby is due on 16 May and iam taking the full year off,iam hoping to go back part time,depending on how skint me and OH are.iam taking m/leave on the 8th of may but my holidays what i have left i am taking them before my m/leave so will be leaving work on 18th of april :lol:

sarah

Lisamarie

04/12/2006 at 11:29

me too, i cant think of anything worse at the moment than having to leave my little bump in a nursery and going back to work full time, so hopefully OH and i will share, i'll go part time, and he will work from home 2 days a week while im in the office, then hopefully, my little one wont have to go into nursery, and will keep childcare costs down.

im not sure about when i'll take my mat leave, what do people think?? i was hoping to work up untill 3-weeks before, but i dont know will i be too tired?? guess we'll just have to see!
:\?

tobyt2000

04/12/2006 at 16:12

I'm planning on leaving at the end of March at the Easter hols which will be 8 weeks before the birth. I need to do this as I'm a teacher and it's the end of a term at that point. I'm only planning on taking 6 months at the mo due to finances but I'm not sure if I'll be able to stick to it.

Nicole

05/12/2006 at 15:06

Wish I could take advantage but am due in 3 weeks!! However willl be taking advantage for the next one. Am planning on taking 6 weeks unpaid at the end for this one and going back part time but all depends on money!!

Jadie20

06/12/2006 at 11:13

I am due on 31st May so i will be taking the full 9 Months and i am saving up my holiday which totals to a month, so i will be taking that before the baby is born.

Roll on May :\)

wenders

07/12/2006 at 07:35

let's hope your baby doesn't come early jadie! lol. that would be so annoying that would only get the 6 months paid leave! keep those legs crossed! lol :\)

LouP

07/12/2006 at 12:22

I wouldlove to but work have stated they need me back after 3 months. I would love to say forget it but we will need the money as have too many debts! I know it is going to kill me and I am worrying about it already as I know I wont want to get back to work!:cry:

wenders

07/12/2006 at 13:08

omg lou! that will be difficult for you, but we do what we have to do! how will be looking after the baby?

chelletoone Platinum member

07/12/2006 at 13:41

i am due to leave next week which is 4 weeks before my baby is due!! unfortunately im not entitled to 9 months unlike someo f you lucky buggars haha

emobabe

08/01/2007 at 12:57

Hi Jadie

Just a note to let you know that if your due date (i.e. the date that is stated on your MAT B1) is 1 April 2007 or after - it does not matter if you baby comes early - you will still get 9 months off. On the flip side, if your MAT B1 states a date that is 31 March 2007 or before you, you will still on get 6 month pay even if the baby is late. I have the advantage of being a HR Advisor - so I am well up on current legislation.

Nic

angandjim

08/01/2007 at 13:27

Hi Nic, me too, I'm an HR Manager and loved explaining to my company that I have the right to keep my company car, laptop, phone (with bill paid), carparking permit and get paid my bonus all through my maternity leave. However as I'm only on statutory maternity pay I am very jealous of some of you guys!! However I have friends in Australia and America who get nothing, so I guess we're quite lucky over here xxxxxx

natjt

08/01/2007 at 17:35

hi there

I was bullyed so badly in a new job that when I found out I was pregnant I resigned as I had only been there for a couple of months and didn't qualify for mat pay from there, it wasn't just about me and this was at the charity Scope!

so now I am going to apply for Mat Allowance and just see how we go but going to see if there is work I can do from home rather than go back to work full time as I cannot bear to leave the little one at 6 months!!

Natx

kaza

09/01/2007 at 08:19

im due on 7th july 07.! will i be entitled to 9 months off ive been with my employer 2 years.! where do i find the info out as i thought i could only have 6 months off. be greatful for any info.x x kaza

wenders

09/01/2007 at 10:31

there you go kaza.... http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/statutory_maternity_pay.asp

:\)

emobabe

10/01/2007 at 16:51

Hi Kaza
The info on the website above is really informative but from what you have put- you will be entitled to the 39 weeks statutory Maternity Pay plus the additional 3 months unpaid leave. Don't forget that you will still accrue annual leave unpto and including your 26 weeks!!! Nic