How much notice do I have to give my employer of my intention to go onto maternity leave? I'm really struggling at work…

@pearce5443 Fair enough hunny xx

@kiri.k.t8 I'm going to talk to my manager and see what she says. We have a lot of staff on annual leave so I'm not going to do anything until the end of July as there's only 8 of us and 3 are on annual leave atm and wouldn't want to leave my manager in the s**t xx

I started my maternity leave at the start of July but due to not being able to do my job anymore and problems in pregnancy I was able to talk June off as annual leave. I was 30 weeks then xx

@rachaellw Ok thank you xxx

I couldn’t go before 15 weeks before I was due I think it was but not sure how much notice I would of had to have given x

@whiteford.lisa05 haha it's ok babe don't worry xx

@pearce5443, aww I see Hun sorry I just assumed that was an option for everyone xx

@whiteford.lisa05 Yeah it wouldn't be minimum would be £92 A week though just read it on the gov.uk website xx

@pearce5443, aww your sick pay might not be your wages then xx

@whiteford.lisa05 I work for a premier shop xx

@pearce5443, just read up on your employers guidelines who is it you work for xx

@whiteford.lisa05 I've spoken to my mum and she said all places pay sick pay but from what I know not all employers pay sick pay. I can't afford to lose loads of money so I'm kind of stuck xx

@surraya1983 It's awful isn't it. 😭 xx

@pearce5443, just talk to them, I’m sure they’ll be fine about it. When I first found out I was pregnant I was convinced I’d work right up until my due date and only take 3 months off, but the further I’ve gone along I don’t think it’s feasible!😂 my ankles are blowing up in this heat already 😩

Doctors are usually quite happy to sign you off work and most places have a policy where they will start your mat leave 4 weeks before due date if you hand in a sick note I done that up until I had to leave as it meant I had as much as my leave with my wee one as I could xx

Also, have you already told them your pregnant? You have to tell them before the 15th week before you’re due. So around 25 weeks.c

@surraya1983 Yeah I probably think the best person to speak to would be my boss. I made it known this morning when I popped in that I'm struggling. She has to arrange maternity cover as I know she doesn't have any for me yet xx

It depends on your employer. As long as it’s within 11 weeks on your due date you can go off. Do you know if they have maternity cover organised for you? If so they may need notice to get them to start earlier. I would ask them what their policy is.x