Hi all :-)  I'm at present trying to put together in writing the dates I wish to take my maternity leave, trouble is though I seem to be having a mental block and can only come up with;

As you are aware I am at present pregnant and required by law to give notice of my intended maternity leave.  My due date is 21st May 2007.  I would like to begin my maternity leave on 11 March 2007.

HELP! What else do I need to write or am I required to write?

Stacey x

You don't have to do anything other than tell them when your maternity leave will start.

My company then legally assumed I would be taking the full year and I would need to phone them when on maternity leave and advise them of my intention to return after 6 months (or less).  You should check with your HR Dept or staff handbook to see what the policy is for your company.

Regards,
Helen

Stacey - not another one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ;)

Congratulations Stacey :D

As MM says all you have to do is put the date you wish to start you leave :)

Lucy
xx

So you don't think the one liner in my above post is rather rude?  Do I have to let them know when I wish to return too or do I do that just in advance of returning?

Stacey x

No not at all ;)

Never say when you will return until you know when you are ready ;)

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/statutory_maternity_pay.asp

Do you know what you are having yet :)

Lucy
xx

Boy! :-D  To be honest though it's done me a bit because I didn't want to go off that early but because of holidays etc if I don't go then I'll lose my holidays!  And I suppose it will be better being back to my full wage for December.  

Stacey x

Am taking my annual leave in December incase you haven't guessed- if it's not taken by the end of the year I lose it :-o

Don't forget that you also are acrueing holiday all the time you are off on
maternity leave too!

Don't forget that you also are acrueing holiday all the time you are off on
maternity leave too!

Personally I think this is a nonsense.  The whole purpose of annual leave is to give employees a period of rest from their work.
But something tells me we've had this debate before  :)

Don't forget that you also are acrueing holiday all the time you are off on
maternity leave too!

Not strictly true :)  All contractual terms remain in place during the period of Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML - the first 6 months) however in the Additional Maternity Leave (AML - the unpaid 6 months following OML not all contractual terms are protected. Things like pay and post remain in tact but unless your contract expressly states so, you are not entitled to continue accruing annual leave during AML.

To anyone whose baby is due on or after 1st April 2007 remember that the entitlements and notice periods will change. There are also 'keeping in touch days' that will be introduced that allow the Company to contact you with important info or for you to attend meetings during up to 10 days of your mat leave and for you to receive payment for them without SMP being brought to an end by your return (albeit temporary return) to work!

Im not in the middle of writing a new mat/pat policy for work, honest! :D

Brilliant Caroline for writing the new mat policy at work- do you know what notice I have to give by law then before I go off on Maternity leave?

Stacey x

Hi Stacey

Believe me, If I werent the HR Manager I wouldnt have opted to write this policy as it can be quite a mine field! :D

To take maternity leave you should inform your employer no later than the end of the 15th week before the week the baby is due that:
1. You are pregnant;
2. when the expected week of childbirth is;
3.when you want your maternity leave to start

Your employer will notify you of the end date of your maternity leave within 28 days of receiving her notification (normally 52 weeks). You can change the date you start your maternity leave as long as you give 28 days' notice to your employer. You can change the date of your return to work (ie to return earlier than the date that your employer has given you) but you must give at least 8 weeks notice of your intention to return early.

Your maternity leave can start no earlier than the beginning of the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth. The expected date of birth is given on the MATB1 form that you will have been given by your GP.

I hope this helps
Caroline x

Thanks Caroline :-)

Stacey x

Ahhh...I'm still stuck in the 'old' world of OML...with accrueing hols :)
Still some aren't even aware that they are entitled to this ref their contractual rights

No problem Stacey

Boxacrazy, I totally agree with your comment about people being unaware of some entitlements. I just wish someone sensible would simplify the whole thing. Its complicated enough for employers let alone employees, particularly when they are about to have babies and have far better things to think about!

Caroline

Got another problem where I presently work.
A renamed organisation has changed it's working hours...
Whereas before they said T&C's would remain same they've now increased
people's working hours by 2.5 a week and a couple of others by 5 hours a week. :(
I'm being made redundant and have said I ain't working those increased hours (I finish at the end of the month).
But the other poor souls have 'accepted' the position as they didn't know any better and don't want to lose their jobs :(
I have advised that everyone that is left should seek independant advice on employment law. (I just work in a/c's & payroll)

Yes alot of stuff is so complicated - it would be a dream come true if they could simplify things :D

Sorry to hear that :( it is very difficult when you are faced with a Transfer of undertakings (TUPE), which I assume is what is happening from what you have said. Those situations are very individual and what can or cant be done depends alot on the Company and its justification for the actions that it has taken. I agree that the best thing in these cirsumstances is to take independant advice either from a Trade Union or other appropriately qualified person, assuming that people are unhappy with the changes. TUPE situations really are a mine field!!

Assuming that you havent already, I hope you find something soon :)

I've been very lucky CRB check came through ok last week.
So I start my new job the 1st of Feb. :)

I just feel very sorry for those it has affected.
I just hope that they do seek independant legal advice ref the changes.
There is no TU where I work at the mo.