Can someone please check my maternity leave letter?

[Bid]

EDIT: I've taken this down until I've made some changes to the letter to make it a bit clearer - my brain doesn't work at this time of night so I'll re-jig it tomorrow! Thanks everyone

 

[maybe11]

Not sure why you re putting in advice leaflets, rates and details like that. Its all automatically generated. Has no one else been pregnant before you were there?

Maybe state you have a breakdown of payments and advice on smp ...but dont include as it detracts from what you are asking (holiday from next year)?

The first part is confusing as you give a mat start date then change it lower down.

Am sure they ll discuss with you anyway

 

[Natalie1a]

They should be telling you what you are entitled too, I would keep it short and sweet tell them you intent to take maternity leave and ask them for details. It is my understanding that they have to reply to you within 28 days with your entitlements. Nx

 

[Bid]

It'd usually be me that deals with all the PAYE and maternity stuff, not my boss, and he's older and not particularly computer literate so he wouldn't know how to go on and get the stuff from the HMRC site - I'll need to show my replacement how to do it before I leave! So that's why I've included it all in my letter, otherwise there's no hope of him getting it right

My dates are a bit confusing, but technically my actual maternity leave won't begin until the 1st Jan, whereas the rest will (hopefully) be annual leave. So I need to give the dates for both I think, as he needs to know which day I want my SMP to start for HMRC, but also what date I'll actually be stopping work from a business point of view? I also want him to realise that saying no to me borrowing the holidays won't stop me finishing earlier, so that's why I put in that I'd take my SMP earlier if I had to. Hopefully I won't need to!

I'll probably end up replying to my own maternity letter within 28 days - can't see my boss doing it, somehow! Maybe my replacement will be asked to do it. Very small company - basically only me and them!

 

[crazylilth1ng]

It is a great example to use in terms of training your replacement Mine is going to be much simpler (god this has reminded me I need to write it on Tuesday) but then I have no one to train up like you do

 

[Bid]

It is a great example to use in terms of training your replacement Mine is going to be much simpler (god this has reminded me I need to write it on Tuesday) but then I have no one to train up like you do

Lol I know, it's a bit of a stupid situation really - the joys of working for a small company! Hopefully my replacement will be up to speed with the PAYE by the time I leave, and the fact I've printed out the exact figures for each month means they shouldn't really be able to get it wrong.... should they?! I'm dreading getting my pay at the end of January, I just know it'll be wrong and I'll end up having to go in and sort it out

 

[Stargazer77]

I think it's clear and your boss will probably appreciate the clarity

 

[toddlerandpip]

I actually think the opposite to star gazer. It is not at all clear and is very confusing! Take out all the perosnal info re why you are leaving at that point. Its unnecessary and makes the later very long. It should be much more concise.

 

[Bid]

Thanks, I think I'll try to re-jig it tomorrow to make it a bit clearer. Maybe I'll put all the SMP and HMRC info on a separate page and just say 'see attached' or something, so the letter is a bit shorter