Maternity leave

Before returning to work 

Record keep in touch (KIT) days

Record keeping in touch days you've worked during maternity leave by completing a keeping in touch days record form (KIT1) and sending it to your manager to approve. 

Record SPLIT days you’ve worked during shared parental leave by completing Shared Parental Leave in touch days record form and sending it to your manager to approve.

Confirm return to work date 

You do not need to let us know if you're returning to work on your expected return to work date, but it’s a good idea to get in touch with your manager before you are due back to plan your return and discuss your needs. 

Legally, if you want to change the date of your return to work, you need to give at least 8 weeks’ notice. However, we'll be able to accommodate your changed dates as long as you give your manager at least 21 days’ notice.

Your manager should complete Part B of the ML1 form (DOCX, 69KB) and upload it on the Assyst portal, along with your keeping in touch record form (KIT1) if necessary.

They should do this before the 4th of the month you’re due back so you get paid the right amount.

If you want to change your working hours 

You can ask to work part-time or flexibly by following the flexible working guidance. Your manager will work with you to agree a work pattern that is suitable for your needs and for service delivery. Managers will consider each flexible working request on a case by case basis. 

Not returning to work 

If you don’t want to return to work, your contract will tell you how much notice you need to give your manager. Make sure you give enough notice during maternity leave to avoid needing to return to work during your notice period. 

Access to IT

Your manager should submit a request on the Assyst portal 4 weeks before your return date so you get new IT equipment if you handed in your laptop before maternity, shared parental or adoption leave or if you’re locked out. 

Once you return to work

Breastfeeding at work

We provide support to returning parents who wish to continue to breastfeed or express milk during working hours. Your manager will work with you to find the best way of meeting your and your baby’s needs while also taking the needs of the council and our service users into account.

You can find our more in our guide to breastfeeding at work.

Lost pension contributions

If you want to pay for lost pension contributions due to any period of unpaid maternity leave, complete Part C of the ML1 form (DOC, 69KB) and upload to the Assyst portal. 

Once Payroll have received your form, they will send you a breakdown of how much you’ll need to pay and give you the option to split your payment over the same number of weeks you were on unpaid maternity leave or as a lump sum.  

Support from managers

Your manager should support you as you return to work. This may include: 

• briefings on how work has developed in your absence or since your last KIT or SPLIT day  
• meetings with new members of the team or new contacts in other functional areas  
• agreeing what coaching or other support you’ll need and from whom  
• more frequent one-to-one updates during the first month back at work  
• making arrangements for you to express and store milk in a fridge if you wish to continue to breastfeed when you return to work