Not planning on going back to work - when to tell boss?

[AK89]

Hey,

So as the title suggests, I highly doubt that I'll be returning to work after the baby is born as I think I'm gonna start looking for something else. Has anyone else got any experience with this? If so, when did you tell your boss you weren't going back? Or when do you plan to?? Do I have any legal obligations...? My manager already knows I plan on taking the full 12 months maternity leave, he just doesn't know I'm not planning on going back afterwards!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

It seems like things are a little different in the UK, but I told my boss I'd be leaving work to be a stay at home mom when the baby was born at the same time I told him I was pregnant (about 7 or 8 weeks along). For me, it was important to let him know, because they were going to have me become a full-time teacher, and I wanted them to find someone else who could finish out the school year with the kids. He was sorry that I wouldn't be working for them anymore, but happy that I was going to spend more time with my daughter. So overall, it went really well. I guess it depends on your boss and the work environment, though, and whether you think they'll treat your differently or try to screw with your maternity leave. If your boss is someone you have a good relationship with, though, and treats you well, it would probably be nice for you to give them a heads up so they can start looking for a replacement.

 

[ashlee2916]

im not intending on going back to work either and i think at my work place, i have let work know 8 weeks before im due to go back xx

 

[Carhar]

You accrue your holiday whilst you are on maternity leave and only have to give the notice in your contract of employment. I would suggest that you just stick to your contractual obligations. If you're worried about cover it is likely they will just make your maternity replacement perm.

You could tell them your not sure what you are planning to do after the 12 months, but to tell them your not returning could be risky if you do not find another role.

 

[Mrs Eleflump]

One thing to watch out for ith this situation is if you get any extra maternity pay from your employer (i.e. not just SMP). There may be something in the maternity policy saying if you receive this money and don't return to work for a certain period afterwards, you must repay all that money.

E.g. I work in the NHS and I get a pretty good maternity package, but if I don't return to work and stay for 3 months following maternity leave, I have to repay everything that isn't SMP.

There should be a policy on maternity leave and pay that tells you what you have to do if you're not intending to return to work.

Good luck with your job-hunt

 

[AK89]

Thanks guys!

I only get statutory maternity pay so nothing to worry about there!

I only work in a coffee shop so I don't think I have to worry about cover.. They will have already had me covered for 12 months so can't imagine they'll struggle after that. It might even make things easier for them 'cause they have to replace me with another supervisor, so I don't even know what they'd do if I returned. They'd either have one too many supervisors or have to kick my replacement out!

I do get on well with my boss though, so maybe it'd be an idea to give him plenty of notice.. but I keep thinking I wanna keep my options open in case I don't manage to have something else sorted by the time I have to return to work for financial reasons. I plan on setting up my own business as I have a degree in German and have always wanted to get into freelance translating, but I've never had the time to do it before! I'm not saying I think I'm gonna have tons more time with a kid haha.. but in my 7 weeks off before the baby comes I'm gonna look into it and see what I can get started, and then by the time I feel ready to return to work I can spend all day every weekday focusing on that as my boyfriend only works weekends So I hopefully SHOULDN'T need to keep my coffee shop job to fall back on, but I don't wanna give it up so early for no reason just in case.. Might be nice to have it to go back to part time if needs be.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Wishing89]

Hi Ak89. I'm in a similar situation. I told my boss just recently I'm expecting and he asked how long I would like off so they have an idea to make plans. I'm not sure that I do want to go back there but it's a 3 day a week office job and I feel like I need something to fall back on. I think I'll feel a bit daunted to have to start at the beginning of an interview process again with two children. It's a personal decision I guess but if I decide not to go back I will let them know at least 4 weeks before I'm due back from maternity leave and just resign. Good luck

 

[StranjeGirl]

My opinion would be wait til you know for sure. I screwed myself in the past by giving advanced notice and then my plans fell through in the end but they had hired me replacement already. I say wait til much closer to the time when you have made a definite decision!

 

[GeralynB]

I told my boss I was pregnant and going to be staying home with the baby when I was 16 weeks. She was very happy for me and said if I ever wanted to come back I could.

 

[fafa girl]

I'm in the exact same situation.. And it's been difficult not to say anything because my bosses have already said they aren't replacing me and its going to be so tough when I'm off as they will be short staffed. They keep saying... Oh well the sooner you go off the sooner you are back.

I wanted to cut all ties and tell them now Im not coming back but my husband is very keen on keeping my options open as a lot can change in a year! I am notice in board with this.. I do feel a bit guilty but we have to look after ourselves and think about what is best for us!

 

[AK89]

Yeah definitely! I keep feeling like that too, like putting them ahead of me and feeling guilty for doing certain things (I've just decided to take leave early and had a couple of days off sick last week) but when you think about it that's silly! You've gotta think about yourself and your baby first and foremost. I do see where your OH is coming from about keeping your options open...is this your first baby? You never know, you might be dying to get back after 6 months!? Who knows.. I think I'm going to leave my options open just in case my other plans fall through and I need to go back part time for a bit..

 

[AK89]

Just try to put yourself first. If I were you I'd leave my options open and see how I feel 6-12months down the line. If you decide you definitely don't wanna go back just give them as much notice as possible! I'm sure they'll be able to find a replacement. And don't forget, that's not your responsibility!