I have real problems with my work at the moment; they aren't exactly what you'd call above board. It's a very small company and they have been less than thrilled with my pregnancy. I even consulted with a solicitor when I first told them because they said some things they shouldn't have.

Anyway I told them when i was around 24 weeks that i'd start my maternity leave at 36 weeks however i've been really tired from lack of sleep (restless legs!) and today at my midwife appointment she told me that my pulse and blood pressure was really high and that they wanted to monitor it a bit and to come back next week. I told her i was feeling unwell and that i wanted to leave work a bit earlier. She said that work couldn't stop me from going if i felt unwell. (i'm 33 weeks BTW)

So i told work today that there was a chance that i may need to take my maternity next week and now it's turned into a big personal argument. They more or less accused me of doing this on purpose and that the company was going to suffer all because of me.

My question is can i just give them written notice that i'm going to go then just walk out or do i need a medical note or anything? I'm so upset and stressed out over all this its making me feel sick just sitting here...

Sorry for the long post :\)

Anna

well for sure they cant treat you like that!
i have been told off by Due in Oct girls as only just handed in my MatB1 but my boss is lovely!!
have u handed yours in yet?
how will the company suffer because of u??

i would consult your solicitor again!

x
Rayns 33+5

I think you only need a medical note if you're going off sick. If they're being funny about maternity leave, i'd go to the doctors and get signed off until you start maternity at 36 weeks as planned just to really p1ss them off!

No job is worth your health and you shouldnt be sat worrying about this. Tell them politely but firmly that you are going next week, (put it in writing too and keep a copy) and keep a log of how they are treating you. I really think you have grounds to take things further, but obviously thats your decision.

Good luck xx

Thanks,

I may just do that getting signed off thing!

I'm going to phone my midwife at lunch time and see what she says about having a note, i just can't take them treating me like this!

i would get a sicknote for a couple of weeks but today i would get a letter in stating your intentions to start mat leave .......................... giving 28 days notice (i think you have to give 28 days notice)

Dont take any shit as long as you follow the book they can do nothing about it.

Good luck x

I agree with the rest, stick two fingers up at you boss (metaphorically!) and get signed off until you are 36 weeks. There is absolutley nothing your boss can do!!!

Mwa ha ha ha!

I'm with the others - get a sick note til you want to start your mat leave.

You can self certify yourself for 7 days too by law, this means you can have 7 days off without a doctors sick note, you will just need to fill in a self cert form, which you can also get from your doctor / midwife. Your doctor / midwife may not issue you with a sick note until your have self certified for 7 days first. Each GP is different.

Good luck and make sure you put yourself and your baby first. xxxx

Hi i agree with the rest about getting signed off if you are not well. Only thing to consider is it may effect the amount of money you recieve for maternity pay. I was told that I need to give 28 days notice to change my maternity leave date but this could be different in many places x

wannababy with pink bump xx

it shouldnt affect your mat pay as you are past the qualifying weeks which is roughly 18-25th week x

gosh poor u...what a rubbish and stressful company u work for.

as far as i am aware u can take maternity leave from 15 weeks before baby is born. u have to give work 28 days notice of your intended maternity leave. if u cant give this and become ill before your intended leave i do think your work has the right to start your maternity leave early if they want to!!

i hope all ive said is correct...im sure someone else wll know better

hope this helps xxxx