Maternity Leave comments...

[Chasingcars]

My baby is due last week of November, and due to having quite a stressfull and busy job with a lot of travelling (plus 2 previous MC's) I have decided to go on maternity leave mid September - to add to this I am taking 3 weeks of unused annual leave up first at end of August/ early Sept.... a lot of people at work keep commenting about ''thats early'' or ''why not hang on a bit'' which is just annoying me....any ideas what i can say to politely answer without having to explain every time?! thanks

[woofgang]

just say "yes it is a bit but that's what I've decided to do"...if they push it say "that's what i've decided to do." and change the subject.

[albaqwerty]

just tell them to mind their own beeswax.
It's nothing to do with them. Your health and the health of your baby are more important. Please don't stress about other folk.

[rockyracoon]

Not polite no, I'd jst tell them to mind their own business. When I had my first child, he was due the end of March, I used annual leave and maternity leave and gave up the first week of January, I loved every minute if it, so much time to myself.

[EcclesCake]

Just tell them that in common with your professional life you like your private life to be led by the 7 P's

Prior planning and preparation prevents p1ss poor performance!

[China Doll]

Just agree that it is but that's what you want to do.

[craft1948]

As someone who's had to cover maternity leave I'm stuffing my hand in my mouth and saying nothing.................

[Chasingcars]

Thanks for all your answers - Ecclescakes - loved yours!
craft1948 - I actually started my first job at 18 doing maternity cover for a company and loved it so much i was asked to stay, so often maternity cover opens up other opportunites for other people. In my current company by my going on maternity leave it has allowed for memeber of staff to be promoted for a year (poss permanent if i only go back part time) and also recruit another member of staff so all in all me going on maternity leave has been positive for all those involved. To add, I have worked every day since I was 17 and I am now 33, so have paid plenty of tax/NI to contribute to the system - the only feebie I have claimed is my £16 NHS free dental check up!!

[craft1948]

Having had extremely bad issues with how maternity leave affected my work for over 3 years I am saying nothing...............good luck with your pregnancy Chasingcars.

[boxtops]

Apart from it being none of their business, as long as you have agreed it with HR, you are taking your entitlements - no more, no less.

[bednobs]

"i'm saying nothing" why bother posting then?

[Nini74]

whenever you start your maternity leave, the length of time entitlement doesn't change so it makes no difference to anyone else anyway. Just say "holiday to use up","want to sort house out before baby comes" or "have i questioned when you should take your summer holidays????". people will always have something to say about when you take your maternity leave - i think its one of those things they feel they should ask about or comment on, much like the "do you know what it is yet/when you due?" questionning. xxx

[craft1948]

Sorry bednobs................did I need your permission?

[bednobs]

no, you don't. I just wondered why you bothered to post a comment saying "i'm not saying anything" (twice), whilst not even bothering to offer any help or answer the question. I'm just curious as this seems to be the kind of unthinking comment chasing cars is asking for help on how to avoid!

CC just say "it suits me like that"