Maternity leave

I’ve got till late March I don’t want to go back I’m a solo Parent though and I don’t think I can afford not to but I’m really trying to find a way to not go back !! Daily hunting for work from home Jobs my babies so clingy breaking my heart

I’ve taken a year off, and super sad about having to go back. I wish I didn’t have to. I have put in a request for flexible working (3 days a week) and have a meeting soon to discuss this with my boss. Hope it gets approved 🤞🏼

My maternity leave finishes on 20th November but I’m on annual leave until January. My partner is taking 3 months shared parental leave. I can’t believe it’s nearly over!

They’ve given me until may but SMP ends in march so will have to go back then. Makes me really sad I tear at the thought. need to start looking for nurseries as all family are in full time work and we can’t afford for me not to return 😣

Back in Feb and hate the idea only going back part time though

@Nicole I took a year but also the last 3 months will be without any pay. I’ve not yet looked at nursery’s but right now I really can’t imagine leaving baby 😔

@Elena did you request a change of work hours? I think I’d atleast need to look at part time as I can’t imagine going back full time at all x

@Tess I feel the same and I’m going to do the same regarding part time. Have you looked at childcare at all yet?

@Beth ahh hope you find something that works for you! Have you looked at how you would cope with claiming UC etc if you can’t find a flexible work option x

I could have till Sept 25, but I swing daily between wanting to go back early and wanting to be stay at home mum… so confused!

Yeah I was full time 37.5 hours and I’m asking to go back 24 hours. Theyve accepted the amount of hours but unfortunately can’t accommodate my start and finish time so I’m looking elsewhere c

@Emma I originally thought I’d want to go back but I’m currently happy with being home with little one and don’t know how I feel with her being in childcare so little

@Elena ahh that’s a shame. if you had maternity pay and don’t go back will you owe them money I thought this was the case sometimes x

They didn’t pay me, I only got MA not SMP as I joined the job pregnant x

I actually had my meeting today and my boss rejected 3 days a week. They have given me 4 and we are working on a compromise. Might do 4 but one being a half day or work from home. Regarding childcare, I booked my daughters nursery place when she was 1 month old and I really struggled to find anywhere that had 5 days a week availability (at the time I hadn’t thought about going back to work part time so I was looking for everyday nursery placement). I managed to find 3 days a week only for September 2025 start which was what got me into thinking I’ll go back part time. If you want a nursery place I would start looking asap!!! They get booked up so fast. I was viewing nurseries when I was still pregnant.