Maternity Leave - What am I to do?

RebekahR

Right I first gave intent to take maternity leave by filling out works form. This was back in March. The only contact I heard was via my manager saying that I needed to give them my Mat B form and then they would contact me.
As I understand it they were to contact me within 28 days of reciept of this form saying if I can take the leave and the confirmed dates? ... I sent in my form at 24 weeks and they said they did not recieve this. I then sent another recorded delivery at 29 weeks and have only just heard they recieved it last week. I am now waiting for the official what happens next ... They have said so and so will contact me ... and I never hear anything. Now tomorrow is my last day! And still so and so will contact me. I have had nothing in writing. I am scheduled on a working shift Friday. This is the first day I have given as my maternity date. What am I do to? Go with the fact I told then just stay off or as I have not recieved a confirmation that I can take the leave do I have to go in? If I don't where do I stand in regards to disaplinaries etc when they say I never turned up for my shift? ... If I had had a baby before I would know what was happening! However as I haven't I don't know where I stand or what I am meant to do next. Especially as they were meant to get back to me within 28 days ...

Thanks in advance!

karenx

Have u got an hr department! Or a manager?

princessdon

As you send the 2nd copy by RD - When was it signed for? Is this within the 28 days?

RebekahR

Yup there are 2 people that run HR. One is on leave for 2 weeks at moment and the other working 2-3 days a week. My manager and managers manager are aware of the issue. I filled in the intent to take mat leave for and had it to them before the required 11 weeks before edd requirement. This was before I saw my midwife and picked up my mat b. My mat b was sent within 1 week of my receiving it. The difference between initial intent and the mat b going in would have been 7 weeks. They had both by the 9th April though. The second form was recieved last week and confirmed delivery by royal mail but not signed for as was recorded only.

The point is that they have to give me a letter to confirm receipt of my intent to take mat leave and not the receipt of the mat b form. And this should be done within 28 days.

princessdon

They do and it's not fair that they are adding stress to you at this time (it is their error). I'm just thinking logically that if they say they only got your B1 10 days ago (when it showed delivery) then this is under 28 days.

Ring ACAS - They are open now and see what they say.

RebekahR

Their handbook says that they need to give 28 days of the intent and no mention of the mat b form as that's what I thought initially. When someone at work pointed out that it's the intent and not the form.

[Deleted User]

As far as I can see you did everything you should, it's just your Employer who hasn't done their bit. I would write again, attaching a copy of the previous letter stating you won't be in on Friday as per your original letter you will be on Maternity Leave and wish your SMP to start. If they don't pay it phone ACAS.
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file34286.pdf