OK so I know with 150% certainty that I will NOT be returning to my job after everything that has happened recently. I don't have any desire to leave my baby for 24 hour periods to do my poxy 24 hour shifts, working with people who back stab and in the environment I work in.

I am getting so fed up with it all and am feeling a lot of stress and upset at the moment, which is mainly down to my shift partner who seems to have the maturity of a 3 year old gnat, not a 60 year old woman who's raised her own family! She is causing trouble for both of us, stirring up a load of shit and I am just sick of it.

Now, I plan to take my holiday from 25th January (I am owed a shift from this year and will be taking some from next year), plus am swapping 21st January for one earlier in the month. I can take my maternity from 1st Feb 2010. So, given that I only have til 17th January to work (which is 16 weeks/39 shifts), I may be jumping the gun a bit. However, I really want to leave at around xmas (although know I will get bored, I do have my other job to keep me busy for now - it's casual though, and can also do some supply teaching). If I left at xmas, I have about 28 shifts left and only 12 weeks, so it doesn't cut me back much.

If I left NOW, we'd struggle for the 3 months til I can get maternity, but maybe it's worth it.

If I left either now or at xmas, considering I have worked for the last 8 or 9 months constantly, earning about 300-350 a week average, would I still get my maternity allowance from the start of Feb?

I am so kicking myself as I had a new job to go to and when I found out I was pregnant (and would have been 9 weeks preg when starting the job), I told them I wasn't going to come to the joba nd was staying in my old one, as I didn't want to annoy new employer, and was worried about getting my leave and money etc. Now I know I would still have got my leave and MA and less stress etc, and I am getting all this shit and just wish I'd taken the new job!

I am feeling so low at the moment. I have a history of severe mental illness and it's a bit worrying, but I am starting to get thoughts of being unable to cope with what's going on etc, and I don't know what to do with them, as I can't really afford to be signed off work but at the same time, I really am not coping. If I was signed off, would I get my MA?

xx

Not to worry.

Chick I am so sorry I don't know the answers, but sounds like the sooner you can leave the better

Hi hun,

Sorry to hear you're having such a rough time of it.

Post this in work & finance you will probably get some answers in there

xx

Hey there,

I was struggling with the same dilemma! As far as i'm aware as long as you work for 26 weeks out of the 66 before the week your baby is due you will be entitled to maternity allowance, therefore as long as you are in work for some of your pregnancy you are entitled. You can claim MA 14 weeks b4 baby is due and begin receiving it 11 weeks before and for 39 weeks. As you have been in your job for less than 2 years your company may only offer statutory maternity pay which is very similar in amount to MA. therefore dealing with this stress for the next 3 months may not seem worth it. Ultimately, it depends on how much you depend on your job? could you manage financially for the next three months if you left work? Good luck!

If you think you wouldn't cope health-wise (mental health included) then why not speak to your GP about it and see if he has any suggestions. x

Thanks guys. Marie, that was what I thought about MA as well.

Fluffpuffin - I know my GP is going to sign me off if I go back there, as there have already been murmurings. I also don't want him putting me back on tablets I fought to stay off (against him - I came off them without his say-so, two years ago, but have had therapy and until now have been fine). Ijust don't want to take a step back.

that's understandable, well done for getting on well with your couselling and without the meds. I hope you'll be able to sort something out. It's horrible being stuck in a bad working environment at any time, but especially when all hormones are in turmoil now you're pregnant. I'm afraid I got no advice but sending lots of your way & hope you find a workable solution.
xx

Haven't got any answers but wanted to send you a hug.

Thanks guys.

As I said, I have no intentions of returning to this job as I plan to either return to retrain as a social worker (I am a trained teacher) or to work as a childminder so I can stay home with the baby. So I need to think of this as the fact I have only 16 weeks left in this job... however, I feel so emotional about it. I just feel I can't cope.

We could cope financially... just about... if I left now. We are selling one of our cars and we have cut back massively; our bank account looks good at the moment, but I am terrified of things getting bad in the finance dept.

I need to think logically - I could do supply teaching for the next few months, even if I only do 1-2 days a week, and that would keep us afloat.

Ho hum.