7 Tips to Make Returning to Work After Maternity Leave Easier
Before You Go Back to Work
Returning to Work After Maternity Leave: 10 Ways to Make It as Painless as Possible
You're entitled to return to the same job after maternity leave if you've been away 26 weeks or less. Your pay and conditions must be the same as or better than if you hadn't gone on maternity leave. It's unfair dismissal and maternity discrimination if your employer says you can't return to the same job.
Mothers' going back to work soon after childbirth poses no harm to children's development, according to our recent studies in the US, UK, and Australia. ... These studies found that when mothers returned to work in the first year or two after childbirth, children's early learning and behavioral skills suffered.
So, yes, legally you can quit now; you don't have to wait until you return from FMLA. You also don't have to give two weeks' notice. That's a nice thing to do, but it's not required by law, only convention. Clearly changing jobs at this time isn't as easy as you may think, but it's completely legal.
Many new mothers would like to return to work on a part-time basis, and some good employers are happy to negotiate such new terms with their employees. There is no automatic right to reduce hours, or to work part-time or flexibly after having a baby.
Most women wait about six weeks from their baby's birth date to return to work, though some doctors will clear a new mother for work as early as three weeks postpartum. Complications during delivery or C-section may prolong recovery time.
The pregnancy disability leave requires that your position be held for up to four months (unpaid). This time off is in addition to the 12 weeks of parenting leave available under the CFRA, which means you could be eligible for up to seven months off, depending on how long you are physically unable to work.
If you wish to return earlier, for example, when your Statutory Maternity Pay ends, you must give at least eight weeks' notice. If you don't, your employer can insist that you don't return until the eight weeks have passed. You must tell your employer that you: are returning to work early.
An employer is not permitted to change your hours of work unless they have your agreement to do so. ... Your employer may decide to force the change on you i.e. insist that you reduce your hours. This would be a breach of contract and you would be entitled to resign and claim constructive unfair dismissal.
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