When to finish work

[Victoriap]

Hi All this is my second post and first baby, so sorry if a little naive.

I work 9-5 Monday to Friday and so far plan to work for as long as possible, which my boss has no problem with. Is happy for me to let him know when I am struggling. I only have a 5 minute car drive and one set of stairs to the office.

I know we are all different and some are straight forward and some not but I wondered who has managed to work up till the event and when did others finish.

 

[Donna88]

It's completely personal, however I think you have done the right thing by saying you are leaving later - as you can always change your mind whereas if you say you're leaving earlier and change your mind work do not have to let you stay on.

When I had my son I planning on ''working'' right up until my due date, I ended up using 2 weeks holiday so I could finish 2 weeks before his due date (I was convinced he was going to be late) he ended up being 3 weeks early so obviously I finished a week earlier than planned (technically 3 weeks earlier if you count the holiday weeks too)

This time around I have said I am finishing at the end of January - so my first day of maternity is actually the 4th Feb and I am due on the 13th. I was planning on working even later than that but decided that would be late enough and I quite like that it's the end of the month (I already have the 1st booked off work as it's my brothers wedding) I know it all comes down to when this little one decides to arrive, but I'm hoping she stays put for the wedding and then comes on the earlier side of her due date rather than being 2 weeks late... but I may still be waiting at the end of Feb for her.

I just decided that even if I was still feeling pretty fit I could use the extra few days or weeks at home to make sure I'm prepared for everything and maybe even do some sewing and baking. Which I never have the energy for while I'm actually working.

 

[PennyLiz]

I'm confused as to when I shud start mat leave too. I have two other children but I didn't work when I had them so it wasn't really a issue. I havnt a clue when to start it. And do u know how holidays work Aswel are you still entitled to the same amount of holiday in the year? Im so confused by it all.
I'm a chef in a private nursery and my kitchen is upstairs. I've already only 16 weeks I had to cut my hours I couldn't last from 9 till 6 any longer I was really struggling. I'm the same as u tho I'm hoping just to wrk as long as I can. Work are quite happy for me to do so n the girls really help me out a lot but ive already gained a stone and a half so my thinking is if i carry on like this im goung to be huge and wnt b able get near my cooker🙈

 

[Donna88]

^^Personally I would suggest you finish earlier with you having quite an active job, which is hard to adapt towards pregnancy. But set a date you're happy with and then change it if you find out really are struggling.

Yes you do still collect your holidays while on maternity

How old are your other two, it might be nice for you to finish a bit earlier and spend some time with them before your new bundle arrives?

There is no right or wrong answer to be honest, it's all down to personal preferences and also how your pregnancy is going. Some people are fine to work right up until they have their babies but some people really struggle health wise and have to finish work much earlier. Some people want to keep busy and stay at work until right until the day, others want the time to relax and there is nothing wrong with any of these things. We all just need to do what is right for ourselves and our families.

 

[MoominGirl]

As Donna says, it's very much a personal choice and everyone will have an opinion on it but you need to do what's right for you.

Definitely plan to work longer as you can always stop sooner if needed but they have no obligation to let you work longer than the date agreed if you decide nearer the time that you can handle it.

Just to give you my situation, I'm an NHS nurse with up to an hour's commute each way so very busy job and mostly on my feet but as it's day unit, no shift working, mainly 9-5 but with some longer days and the odd weekday off. Means I was getting regular breaks at proper meal times and not suffering from the lack of sleep associated with shift work.

I worked until 37+2 then took 2 weeks annual leave so my maternity leave officially started yesterday, only the day before my due date. I got very mixed reactions when I said that this was my plan (even the midwife gave me that look when I told her what my job was!!) but I've been exceptionally well in pregnancy so I'm really glad I stuck with my instincts and I would do the same again. I've always predicted that I'd go over due date so if I'd stopped work around the 35-36 week mark as a lot of people suggested, I'd be going crazy by this point!! Although this week I feel a little 'slower', I still don't feel like I'm struggling so it was definitely the right choice for me.

The main drawback is if you do go early, you don't get that 'me' time beforehand that everyone goes on about, especially if it's your first. I'm a bit over organised so to counter that I started getting on with things in advance so that I was physically ready for a baby as soon as I stopped work but I've always been mentally prepared to go late. For me it was worth the risk of not getting that 'me' time versus sitting at home for 6 weeks waiting for a baby and feeling like climbing the walls!! Obviously the risk has paid off for me as I'll now get as much time as possible after baby is here.

 

[Victoriap]

Thank you so much for the replies, it's a great help.
I think I might book a week's holiday before my due date anyway that same as you. Can I ask though because your little one wanted to come three weeks early, did your maternity leave start the straight after and did you get your holiday back?
I know all places are different but would be good to know if you got the holiday back.
I hope to make it till the end and get as much maternity as possible.
I agree though I think it would be nice to have some time before hand to try and make sure I've organised myself and have everything I need.

 

[Donna88]

It was 10 years ago, so I can't remember exactly but yes my maternity needed to start straight away as it can't start after babies born. (I think anyway). If I remember rightly I got the holiday back in pay instead (otherwise I would have missed out on it because of way the tax year worked out, if that makes sense)

 

[WinterWolf]

I'm a teacher and I'm finishing earlier than most at only 31 weeks, but I can't deal with working anymore. The original plan was to work until the end of the school year (I'd be 36 weeks then). We're coming into Summer here and I can't handle the heat in my classroom (its often over 40 degrees in there because I have no fans or a/c) or being on my feet all day.

I'm on contract until I'm 39 weeks and they're not renewing it because I'm pregnant (!) so I can't get mat leave once baby is born anyway. I thought I may as well use it and finish early. If I was planning on going back to work I'd do my best to work as long as possible.

My advice would be to advise them early on that you're stopping working at 36 weeks if you're on your feet all day, or 38 if you're not. If you need to stop earlier its easy to get a doctors certificate and most workplaces will let you change your mind.

 

[Donna88]

I'm a teacher and I'm finishing earlier than most at only 31 weeks, but I can't deal with working anymore. The original plan was to work until the end of the school year (I'd be 36 weeks then). We're coming into Summer here and I can't handle the heat in my classroom (its often over 40 degrees in there because I have no fans or a/c) or being on my feet all day.

I'm on contract until I'm 39 weeks and they're not renewing it because I'm pregnant (!) so I can't get mat leave once baby is born anyway. I thought I may as well use it and finish early. If I was planning on going back to work I'd do my best to work as long as possible.

My advice would be to advise them early on that you're stopping working at 36 weeks if you're on your feet all day, or 38 if you're not. If you need to stop earlier its easy to get a doctors certificate and most workplaces will let you change your mind.

Woah, I'd possibly finish earlier if I were you (is it 29 weeks you can legally start maternity) I can't believe you can't claim maternity once baby is born - that seems so harsh.

Everything you have said is the perfect example of how everyone's situation is different though. You need to think of your own comfort

 

[Akua]

I’m going at 32 weeks but I then have six weeks holiday saved up so I won’t start my maternity until 38 weeks. I have a very physical job though, thirteen hour days all on my feet working for the nhs, so I don’t tend to get a break at all in that time either

 

[WinterWolf]

I'm a teacher and I'm finishing earlier than most at only 31 weeks, but I can't deal with working anymore. The original plan was to work until the end of the school year (I'd be 36 weeks then). We're coming into Summer here and I can't handle the heat in my classroom (its often over 40 degrees in there because I have no fans or a/c) or being on my feet all day.

I'm on contract until I'm 39 weeks and they're not renewing it because I'm pregnant (!) so I can't get mat leave once baby is born anyway. I thought I may as well use it and finish early. If I was planning on going back to work I'd do my best to work as long as possible.

My advice would be to advise them early on that you're stopping working at 36 weeks if you're on your feet all day, or 38 if you're not. If you need to stop earlier its easy to get a doctors certificate and most workplaces will let you change your mind.

Woah, I'd possibly finish earlier if I were you (is it 29 weeks you can legally start maternity) I can't believe you can't claim maternity once baby is born - that seems so harsh.

Everything you have said is the perfect example of how everyone's situation is different though. You need to think of your own comfort

I should've tried to go earlier but the school doesn't legally have to approve it before 32 weeks. It's my last week this week anyway. Two more days! Ive been there for two years so I can get maternity pay from the government at least. I'm not totally stuffed haha.

Yes everyone is different. No one should feel pressured to work through tri 3 as it can be very hard depending on your job!!

 

[Elven]

I finished at 37 weeks, only because I had a bit over two weeks holiday to use up, so maternity leave started a few days before EDD. I could have stayed longer but I had a pretty easy pregnancy and worked in an office, so was definitely lucky.

I would try and provisionally start your maternity leave as late as possible, but definitely do not hesitate to bring that forward if you need to.

I think unfortunately though, if your little one is born during your holiday time before your ML starts, you just lose that holiday allowance unless your employer wants to give you additional holidays for next year. x

 

[Victoriap]

I'm a teacher and I'm finishing earlier than most at only 31 weeks, but I can't deal with working anymore. The original plan was to work until the end of the school year (I'd be 36 weeks then). We're coming into Summer here and I can't handle the heat in my classroom (its often over 40 degrees in there because I have no fans or a/c) or being on my feet all day.

I'm on contract until I'm 39 weeks and they're not renewing it because I'm pregnant (!) so I can't get mat leave once baby is born anyway. I thought I may as well use it and finish early. If I was planning on going back to work I'd do my best to work as long as possible.

My advice would be to advise them early on that you're stopping working at 36 weeks if you're on your feet all day, or 38 if you're not. If you need to stop earlier its easy to get a doctors certificate and most workplaces will let you change your mind.

Wow that is hot and can understand why you are finishing early.

I have it pretty easy as its winter now and can sit down all day.

I think I might use a weeks holiday the week I am due and see how it goes, hopefully will make it to the end.

I won't loose any holiday just accumulate it throughout maternity, but i might use some before I go back as my return to work would be mid December, so may as well wait till come back January.

I also have 10 'kit' days I can use so get use to coming back to work and make some more money on top of statutory pay.

 

[Elven]

I won't loose any holiday just accumulate it throughout maternity, but i might use some before I go back as my return to work would be mid December, so may as well wait till come back January.

I also have 10 'kit' days I can use so get use to coming back to work and make some more money on top of statutory pay.

You will definitely keep accruing holidays, but just double check whether you have to use up this year's holiday allowance before ML. As not all places allow you to roll over any unused holiday allowance to the following year. Should all be in your employee handbook though. x

 

[Victoriap]

I won't loose any holiday just accumulate it throughout maternity, but i might use some before I go back as my return to work would be mid December, so may as well wait till come back January.

I also have 10 'kit' days I can use so get use to coming back to work and make some more money on top of statutory pay.

You will definitely keep accruing holidays, but just double check whether you have to use up this year's holiday allowance before ML. As not all places allow you to roll over any unused holiday allowance to the following year. Should all be in your employee handbook though. x

I wouldn't use holiday from this year, I've used it all.
I will use next years holiday as my maternity falls in the same year, I have a lot to take but if I don't take it I can carry it over to 2020.

 

[MoominGirl]

I won't loose any holiday just accumulate it throughout maternity, but i might use some before I go back as my return to work would be mid December, so may as well wait till come back January.

I also have 10 'kit' days I can use so get use to coming back to work and make some more money on top of statutory pay.

You will definitely keep accruing holidays, but just double check whether you have to use up this year's holiday allowance before ML. As not all places allow you to roll over any unused holiday allowance to the following year. Should all be in your employee handbook though. x

I wouldn't use holiday from this year, I've used it all.
I will use next years holiday as my maternity falls in the same year, I have a lot to take but if I don't take it I can carry it over to 2020.

That's good you can carry holiday so less of a worry if you go early as you can just add that holiday onto the end. Not sure how far along you are but I'm assuming you've had a good pregnancy so far if you're considering working right up I left the decision as late as possible. I think the deadline in my work was 25 weeks but I could change this by giving notice though I can't remember how much that needed to be as I stuck with my plan.

 

[MoominGirl]

I'm a teacher and I'm finishing earlier than most at only 31 weeks, but I can't deal with working anymore. The original plan was to work until the end of the school year (I'd be 36 weeks then). We're coming into Summer here and I can't handle the heat in my classroom (its often over 40 degrees in there because I have no fans or a/c) or being on my feet all day.

I'm on contract until I'm 39 weeks and they're not renewing it because I'm pregnant (!) so I can't get mat leave once baby is born anyway. I thought I may as well use it and finish early. If I was planning on going back to work I'd do my best to work as long as possible.

My advice would be to advise them early on that you're stopping working at 36 weeks if you're on your feet all day, or 38 if you're not. If you need to stop earlier its easy to get a doctors certificate and most workplaces will let you change your mind.

Wow that is hot and can understand why you are finishing early.

I have it pretty easy as its winter now and can sit down all day.

I think I might use a weeks holiday the week I am due and see how it goes, hopefully will make it to the end.

I won't loose any holiday just accumulate it throughout maternity, but i might use some before I go back as my return to work would be mid December, so may as well wait till come back January.

I also have 10 'kit' days I can use so get use to coming back to work and make some more money on top of statutory pay.

I definitely think there's a lot to be said for winter babies especially with the heat last summer!! As far as I understand you need to start maternity leave from the start of the week you're due as stated on your MATB1. So say your due date falls on a Friday you can't take annual leave up to the Thursday, you would have to start maternity leave from the Monday of that week. I hope that makes sense!!

 

[MissKW]

I think it depends what job you have, and how easy or difficult your finding the pregnancy etc.
I have a physical job and wanted to work as long as possible as I get no maternity pay, I managed until 36 weeks but from 30weeks I was really struggling and very uncomfortable, all I wanted to do was go home and sleep lol.
Set yourself a date but leave it flexible so you can work longer or finish earlier if you need to. Thankfully my boss was OK with this.
Once baby arrives do the same, try to keep it a bit flexible. I was nieve thinking I could go back at 6 months once DS started weaning, however due to exclusively breastfeeding and them eating such a tiny amount to start with that just didn't work out like I imagined. I'm now 8 months postpartum and still home with DS which I'm loving. I could probably get away with going back to work now if needs be but I'm lucky as DH has a new job and can support us all easily so he is happier for me to stay home to raise DS rather than him be in somebody else's care most the time whilst I'm working.
Don't be too hard on yourself as pregnancy is tough, and just do what you think is right for you

 

[Mayflower85]

First time I finished at 36 weeks but took two weeks annual leave, and my maternity leave officially started at 38 weeks. Baby was born at 40+3. I was a private nanny.

Second time I finished at 31 weeks as I was moving house, so timed it for that but it was a bit too early really. Baby was born at 39+4. I was a nursery deputy manager.

This time I'm finishing at 34 weeks, and I'm booked for a c-section at 39+2. I've timed it so I can have time to sort everything in the run up to Christmas. I work at a large supermarket.

 

[Gemsy]

I'm pregnant with number 2 now, and all I would say is if you can afford it....take some time earlier to enjoy your last bit of 'feet up and you time'....as the next time round you won't get it I'm twice as tired this time round, as my little boy is full of energy (which is lovely!), but it means I just haul myself around all day and collapse into bed at the end of the day! Being able to put your feet up and relax in your first pregnancy is so lovely!