Returning to work after maternity leave??

helen0381 · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:38 AM

Just wondered if anyone can help. Do you have to return to your job after maternity leave? I dont think i can bear to go back to mine and im thinking of going on maternity earlier than I planned cos I cant stand been there at the moment. Do I just give notice while im on maternity?

My job role has completely changed since I told them I was pregnant. All im doing now is tele-marketing (which I hate)!! I wasnt taken on to do this and all I do all day is sit on the phone ringing businesses. I cant stand it and dread going to work everyday. I had my hours reduced just before christmas because we went quiet. Which now I am pleased about as im not there that much but I just dont want to go back, do I tell them this or shall I just make out as tho im going back after maternity?

Please help.

Helen
xxx

Bekkiboo · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:43 AM

I'm sure you don't have to return to the same employment after maternity leave... atleast that's what I read on the government website!

Unless of course the company has it's own additional benefits in place, like a top up on smp or a lump sum payment as an incentive to come back. If they offer anything like this and you don't want to return I wouldn't take it because I believe they can make you repay it if you don't return!

P.S. I have no intention of returning back to where I work either..... I absolutely loathe it!

golcarlilly · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:44 AM

You are under no obligation to tell them whether or not you will be returning before you take your maternity leave and you don't have to return unless you get over and above the government smp amount. You can just let them think you are returning and look for alternative employment whilst on maternity leave. Sorry you are unhappy in your job it is awful dreading going to work every day!

helen0381 · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:48 AM

Thanks girls,

Im only entitled to the SMP so I should be ok and not have to pay anything back. I just hate it so much, baby is due 27th July and I was going to work up until beginning of July but think I will leave end of May now. I will look for another part-time job while on maternity. Im just counting down the days now!

xxx

Bekkiboo · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:50 AM

I was planning on taking maternity leave as late as possible but have since changed my mind...... roll on 29 weeks lol

golcarlilly · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:50 AM

I am finishing at the end of June (due 7th August) and I am counting down the minutes till then!!!

Bekkiboo · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:53 AM

I wonder if there are tickers to count down for maternity leave??? lol

I don't get to see my midwife until 25 weeks, I just hope it gives me enough time to give my notice of it to my employer! Is it 28 days notice normally?

helen0381 · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:54 AM

I have to tell them so many weeks before when I am planning to start maternity dont I?
xx

Bekkiboo · Mar 15th, 2009, 11:59 AM

I am sure it's 28 days but I always doubt what I know lol

dreamer · Mar 15th, 2009, 12:43 PM

I think as long as you give them 8 weeks notice before the end of your maternity leave ( so it is ok to tell them while on leave) that you will not be returning, I think this is sufficient enough, well thats how I understand from my work guidelines and they're only offering basic government SMP.

Mind you with my preg brain I'm bound to have dreamt up something thats not true along the way

Mar 15th, 2009, 11:38 AM	#1
helen0381 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,762	Returning to work after maternity leave?? Just wondered if anyone can help. Do you have to return to your job after maternity leave? I dont think i can bear to go back to mine and im thinking of going on maternity earlier than I planned cos I cant stand been there at the moment. Do I just give notice while im on maternity? My job role has completely changed since I told them I was pregnant. All im doing now is tele-marketing (which I hate)!! I wasnt taken on to do this and all I do all day is sit on the phone ringing businesses. I cant stand it and dread going to work everyday. I had my hours reduced just before christmas because we went quiet. Which now I am pleased about as im not there that much but I just dont want to go back, do I tell them this or shall I just make out as tho im going back after maternity? Please help. Helen xxx

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Mar 15th, 2009, 11:43 AM	#2
Bekkiboo Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Posts: 1,593	I'm sure you don't have to return to the same employment after maternity leave... atleast that's what I read on the government website! Unless of course the company has it's own additional benefits in place, like a top up on smp or a lump sum payment as an incentive to come back. If they offer anything like this and you don't want to return I wouldn't take it because I believe they can make you repay it if you don't return! P.S. I have no intention of returning back to where I work either..... I absolutely loathe it!

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Mar 15th, 2009, 11:44 AM	#3
golcarlilly Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bolton Posts: 10,425	You are under no obligation to tell them whether or not you will be returning before you take your maternity leave and you don't have to return unless you get over and above the government smp amount. You can just let them think you are returning and look for alternative employment whilst on maternity leave. Sorry you are unhappy in your job it is awful dreading going to work every day!

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Mar 15th, 2009, 11:48 AM	#4
helen0381 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,762	Thanks girls, Im only entitled to the SMP so I should be ok and not have to pay anything back. I just hate it so much, baby is due 27th July and I was going to work up until beginning of July but think I will leave end of May now. I will look for another part-time job while on maternity. Im just counting down the days now! xxx

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Mar 15th, 2009, 11:50 AM	#5
Bekkiboo Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Posts: 1,593	I was planning on taking maternity leave as late as possible but have since changed my mind...... roll on 29 weeks lol

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Mar 15th, 2009, 11:53 AM	#7
Bekkiboo Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Posts: 1,593	I wonder if there are tickers to count down for maternity leave??? lol I don't get to see my midwife until 25 weeks, I just hope it gives me enough time to give my notice of it to my employer! Is it 28 days notice normally?

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Mar 15th, 2009, 11:54 AM	#8
helen0381 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,762	I have to tell them so many weeks before when I am planning to start maternity dont I? xx

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Mar 15th, 2009, 11:59 AM	#9
Bekkiboo Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Posts: 1,593	I am sure it's 28 days but I always doubt what I know lol

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Mar 15th, 2009, 12:43 PM	#10
dreamer Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Worcestershire Posts: 349	I think as long as you give them 8 weeks notice before the end of your maternity leave ( so it is ok to tell them while on leave) that you will not be returning, I think this is sufficient enough, well thats how I understand from my work guidelines and they're only offering basic government SMP. Mind you with my preg brain I'm bound to have dreamt up something thats not true along the way

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