Does anyone else work for the NHS?

[Rebaby]

I am wondering if it's possible to take annual leave immediately prior to going on maternity leave?

I have absolutely loads of annual leave left to take this year (like 5 weeks!) and will be going on maternity leave in october so am thinking of sticking a few weeks of annual leave on to the front of my maternity leave so i can finish up a bit earlier, does anyone know if that will be okay?

I wouldn't have thought it was going to be a problem but someone recently went on mat leave and they had a week annual leave and then came back to work for a fortnight before going on their mat leave and i never got chance to ask them if they'd done it like that on purpose because they wanted to, or if there was some kind of rule which means you have to go back to work in between annual leave and mat leave.

Thanks if anyone can help!

 

[bobbleboo]

Hi I used to work for the NHS but I left after having DD to be a SAHM.

I took 5 weeks annual leave prior to starting my Maternity leave. I think its up to the discretion of your manager but HR should be able to let you know. I don't really see it makes much difference if you take it before your Mat leave or at the end before you go back to work (well if you are planning to go back). The only problem might be if they are getting someone to cover your Mat leave they can't do it while you are on annual leave they have to wait until your Mat leave starts.

The only other thing you need to be aware of is if you are on Mat leave and baby arrives early your Mat leave kicks in and any annual leave you are due would be given to you at the end of your Mat leave. This happened to me, I took very ill with pre eclampsia and was admitted to hospital and DD born at 35 weeks.

 

[Rebaby]

Thanks for that, that's really helpful

 

[kyesmummy]

hey hun, i work in the NHS i have loadsa leave to take too, im due on 23rd nov, starting my maternity leave on 16th nov and taking 2 weeks annual leave prior to tht so im finishing on 30th oct! xxx

 

[doumauk]

I dont work for the NHS but I had 12 days holiday to take which works out at 6 weeks as I only do 2 days a week. I finished at 34 weeks, will take 6 weeks hols then start maternity from the end of my annual leave.Im sure your allowed to take what your entitled to either before or after you leave.You just have to be careful if you leave it until after and its a different financial year you might lose out.

 

[pinklizz]

I work for the NHS too and also have a few weeks of leave to use up (goodness knows how!). My hospital policy says that you can take annual leave before as you can't carry it over to the next year and so would essentially lose it. Also, remember you accrue annual leave whilst on maternity leave so you will have a big chunk that you can tag onto the end of your maternity leave too if you wanted x

 

[Rebaby]

Thanks for all the replies, seems there's a few of us with annual leave saved up!

It's really excellent news that i can tag it on to the front of my mat leave as i don't want to be working until i pop (or drop!) but at the same time don't want to be taking mat leave too early and losing precious time afterwards!

Thanks ladies!