in December 2024 Babies 🇬🇧

Holiday before Mat leave ?

I am due mid December but I have nearly a month of holiday left which I was planning on taking in November to rest before the baby comes along. I have another little one in school, I’m working 4 days a week and in process of starting a business so I’m often extremely tired. However work have asked if I can postpone my holiday and work up till early December in order to train my replacement. This will mean I’ll literally be working up till my due date and not a lot of time to rest. I’m getting super tired during the day already and can’t imagine I’d have a lot of energy in November & December. I enjoy my job and want to be a team player and help out but honestly dont think I’ll be able to work up till i’m due. Is anyone else taking mat leave late or have any tips to survive next few months at work whilst feeling super tired ?

Show your support

No you have your holidays to take and I assume you have given the correct notice with your plans. I would say pregnancy Is having an affect on your body and you need to rest and prepare etc.

I’m in a very similar position to u. U know what, if the employer hadn’t planned for a replacement earlier in time for u to train that is on them. Notice of pregnancy went in April or may this year. Us being pregnant wasn’t a last minute .com situation or a surprise really … I was of the same mindset and was gonna just work as late as possible (also for the reason to bank holiday up for when I gradually come back from work) but I thought sod it… get some me time… cause things will never be the same after baby comes. Get some rest mama. It’s not our problem!!

That sounds like your employers problem rather than yours. Take the time off, you have a wee one already and are heavily pregnant so don’t let others make you feel bad for prioritising your health and wellbeing.

It sounds like they are asking for a favour, which you do not have to do. Your health and the baby comes first. So what’s going to happen if something happen to you? I am sure they will have no choice but find a way to train the new employee. Please take care of your self

Absolutely you don’t have to - how would you feel about using them to go “part time” in the run up to your mat leave? Could be an option to start slowing down in your run up to mat leave but also keep abit of routine etc xx

If you don't want to do it say no. But if you are happy to do it, perhaps work from home and do reduced hours so that you have time to rest.

I am taking 5 weeks of annual leave before my maternity leave. Infact I have preponed my AL & MAT leave starts dates during 30th week after my growthscan - currently struggling with gestational diabetes, carpel tunnel syndrome and obstetric cholestasis. I have preponed everything by 3weeks as the consultant said they will not wait for my full term and I am also finding it very difficult to manage everything. I did handover in 2 weeks to the new resource, almost spent 3hrs everyday in KT sessions so that the team will not be in trouble. Having sense of responsibility is good, but remember, you always come first before anything & everything. Companies can work with our absence and it's definitely not your problem

It’s your annual leave, and your choice. You’re entitled to it 😊