Vickie

So sorry to hear about your job Not sure about the maternity leave. I'm sure it differs from place to place but in Ontario I was under the impression that if you do not go back to the job you do have to pay back your benefits (but I really don't know much about the subject as I'm not entitled to maternity benefits).

Jules

Well it got even worse today! they actually shutting down my office in 5 weeks! (i thought it was 9 weeks time) So that means i will have to take 11 weeks maternity plus the 3 weeks annual leave i have accrued and finish in seven weeks time, i will still have to travel to other office for 2 weeks as i can't leave earlier then 4 April.

I can't believe i will be finishing 14 weeks before due date! dont know what i will do with myself! I dont think i will return to this job so i am just going to worry about my return date nearer the time!

Karen23

What about car share or public transport? If there are other people you work with who live near you, then the likelihood is there will be someone who is willing to drive in each day and give you a lift, especially if you give them a bit of petrol money. That way you can have a snooze in the car. I normally get the bus to work (takes about an hour or an hour and a half door to door) and is knackering, but at least it beats having to concentrate driving. Plus, sometimes i get a car share which is great.
I'm sure that if a work relocates they have to give some kind of package - assuming you live in the UK anyway. Have you got an HR dept at work? Perhaps you can have a word with them. If not, try a citizens advice bureau. It seems ridiculous that they are trying to get you to go on maternity leave early just cos they are moving office. They can only make you go on maternity leave early if it is in your last 2 weeks at work and if there are medical reasons.

amy_tea

I'm not sure what your rights are in this situation but they cannot force you to take your maternity leave that soon. I would suggest maybes asking your midwife for some advice because it does seem to be a long journey to be taking and the risks are quite big. Also, the stress this is putting on you is not good for the baby.

If you take all of your maternity leave and decide you will not return to work for your previous employer, you will not have to pay anything back (thanks to new legislation) as long as you give sufficient notice.

Good luck hun

xx

Jules

I am the only person being located to this office and no one lives near me to give me a lift, they all live in the area where the new office is! I spoke to HR and she had a bit of an attitude, i said i was not up to driving the extra 50 miles per day and she was like "well why not". I said i'm knackered as it is without all the extra driving on top of a days work, i'm waking up at 4am everyday and not been able to sleep. She didn't seem to really care! its like they think i'm over reacting. But its a big change, when your already going through big changes in your personal life!

Thanks for all your advice xxx

Tam

Sorry to hear about your job......

Ignore her the ignorant cow!

Do what you feel is best for you. I think taking early leave and looking for a new job is a much better idea as you won't have to worry about the journey when baby is here. And trust me when you add traffic to an hours journey, that really adds to the frustration! You would soon hate your job too when you have to spend so much time in your car when you could be at home with baby.

I hope you manage to sort something out x

Karen23

That is a rubbish HR person! At the end of the day you have to do what is best for you and the baby. i think any non-pregnant person would have a problem with driving an extra 50 miles a day to be honest! It is a big change and you really arent over reacting.
Hope it all gets sorted - dont let them bully you though.