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I like option B! I'm jealous. That would be so great to work 4 day work weeks!

Only thing I can think of is what happens if the baby comes early? Though, I guess your mat leave is different from your vacation, so you would just have those vacation days for after you return, right?

@loki: you have to use it all before you leave?? Cant you save it or are you not going back to work?

If it must be used I vote for Fridays off - would love 3 day weekends!!!

I'm planning on using some holiday to go off early, but that's so my mat leave doesn't officially start until my due date (or birth). So I'll be off, paid, then once I'm out of vacation, EI will kick in. I'm hoping it will be when the baby is born so I get the full year and don't have to go back until the baby is 1.

But if you don't care about that extra week off next year, I'd take shorter weeks now!

i worked from home exclusively weeks 39 and 40. and it was awesome. I'd probably take off every other friday and save some of that vacation time for when I return. I was MORE burnt out when i came back and ended up taking a day to myself or half a day to recharge my own batteries because coming back to work with a 3 month old was just mentally exhausting. So i would save some of the vacation time

NEVERMIND! Just saw you're Canadian. i'd probably drop to a reduced workweek then. Having two weeks off at home full time would've bored the crap outta me

same question as @2PeasinaPod: . My maternity leaves were not paid in full so I would opt to extend my maternity leave.

If I had to use it before hand I would vote for 3 day weekends as well. That last month you will be *tired*!

ETA: um. definitely 3 day weekends then!!

Two weeks home by myself just sitting around waiting for baby would make me very bored.... i opt to do option 2 and schedule some things you wont be able to do once baby arrives (Lunch with friends, buying last minute baby items, pedicure, hair appt, or even doctor visits)

@loki: since I see you get a year off anyway, I vote combo- take one week off before due date and take the five Friday's before that off.

I had two weeks off before my due date (company policy, didn't affect my paid time after) and I have to tell you, it was amazing. I was fully aware that it was my last chance to just do whatever the hell I felt like for another 18 years or so, and I took advantage without guilt. Take a nap? Sure. Watch a cheesey movie on HBO? Why not? Cook up a bunch of freezer meals? Great! It was also really nice to know the actual date I was leaving work instead of wondering if every day was going to be the last one. Baby was born the day before her due date but I was actually in no rush since the last two weeks were so relaxing. But I wasn't someone who went crazy without working or whatever.

I'd definitely do the 4 day work weeks. That sounds so nice....

Well I'm biased but I switched to 4 day work weeks at about that same point and I love it!

@loki: if you have a no carry forward policy they probably won't allow you to carry forward and you will actually get your remaining vacation paid out when you start your leave. Also, remember that you accrue vacation during your top up! I was taking days off every other week leading up to my mat leave and there were no issues.

@loki: Thanks! I think with my situation it was partially my own guilt about it anyway. I also wanted it to be flexible and be able to say on a Thursday, "nevermind, I have a lot of work to do, so I will not be taking my vacation day tomorrow," and they wanted me to commit to the days I was asking for... that's why I ultimately decided to just stick it out. That said, I'm in the US anyway, so waiting to use those days until the end of my 12 week mat leave is another option for me that I'm not upset about. Good luck to you! I think either way you will get some extra rest, and that will be so nice!

Well. I would do something a little different. Do you know if everything is prorated? Are you going to have any time available when you get back in a year? I know it's so tempting to use them now but... I would (and I did!) save some days for when you get back. What if you need a day off unexpectedly?

I would carry them over and just hold onto them. Even if you just need a break and want a day because you miss your LO? You'd be able to do it. You may have a solution for this already but just another thought!

@loki: wow! All my shit was pro-rated. It sucked. I had zero days coming back to work which is why I was happy to save a few. Sounds like you've got a pretty sweet deal! I'd switch to 4 day work weeks!