advice on using annual leave when returning to work

[Hieveryone]

hi - i am planning to take my 9 months statutory maternity leave period and need some advice on how to use the annual leave i'll have accrued (about 20 days) when i return. My 9 months paid period ends at the end of feb so i have 2 options. one would be to add the month's annual leave to the end of my maternity period (and return at the end of March) or, the other option (which i'd prefer) is to spread my 20 days annual leave over the first 20 weeks after i return so i take a day's leave each week (i.e. only work mon-thurs).

This second option would be best for me as it means less time at nursery for the little one initially but it means my contract doesn't change and i still get a full time wage and entitlements. it does mean the annual leave i'll have accrued will be spread over 2 holiday years (my holidays run from april to april) which i'm assuming they'd have to consider?

I can't decide which option to ask for! The other issue is that my company is restructuring and possibly in the process of being sold whilst i'm off. They haven't replaced me during my leave so i'm concerned about redundancy or that they will reduce my hours. Any advice would be much appreciated as it's stressing me out and i need to firm up dates with the nursery.

 

[LPF]

You'll have to see if they'd let you carry over leave in to the next year - most companies only let you carry 5 days over or you lose it.