They definitely should allow you to start maternity leave when is best for you, your health comes first! I had to move my annual leave and start my maternity leave a week before I was supposed to as work was physically too much for me and I’m glad I did because I’ve got such bad backache and really tired xx
I believe you can ask to start it earlier if you need to! Definitely speak to your manager and start earlier. Or if you have some annual leave see if you can use that first ❤️
Technically you need to give them 4 weeks notice to change your leave date but you can 1) ask and 2) if they say no then your GP will sign you off so either way you can defo get the time off
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/maternity-and-parental-rights/check-your-maternity-and-parental-rights/maternity-leave-and-pay/maternity-leave-what-youre-entitled-to-and-how-to-get-it/#:~:text=You%20can%20start%20your%20maternity%20leave%20any%20day%20from%2011,week%20of%20your%20due%20date
Ours say need to give notice but like others said go off sick and if your 36 weeks or more it starts automatically. Iv just had few days off for the same I don’t leave til next week but I’m less than 36 so it’s just pregnancy related sick
I started mine earlier due to being in and out of maternity triage. I was too stressed and didn't feel it was fair on my team. No problem at all for me to start mine earlier.
Depends on the company. Mine had to give 28 days notice to change it
I don't know if you can do that but you could take sick leave and this will automatically trigger your mat leave to start if it's a pregnancy related illness. I've never done this but I always thought that if you talk with your GP explaining the situation they will give you a note saying that you can't cope with work anymore... worth trying!