Starting a New Job After Maternity Leave, Good or Bad Idea?

Heather6907

I work in a job that requires travel, it varies but is generally 1-4 nights a month away from home. I plan to take 3 months off or so and then go back to work. I really don't want to travel when I have an infant and am breastfeeding. So I know I won't want to stay here for very long. I was thinking it may be best to come back after maternity leave for a little bit because I am expecting to be sleep deprived, emotional, etc. and at least they know me here and I have a good reputation. However, a co-worker pointed out that most women who give birth do not come back because the travel can be so unpredictable. I know I would be unhappy traveling. Is my reason for wanting to come back right after maternity leave one that makes sense or not? Has anyone started a new job after maternity leave and had good or bad experiences?

beenbizzy

I went back to work after 8 weeks and worked there for three months until I found something new.  My circumstances were different and before maternity leave, never thought too seriously about leaving.  However, things do change when you have a baby.  If I were in your shoes, I would go back yo your current job after three months.  1) you know the job and won't have to learn anything new; 2) there are plenty of sleep deprived nights; 3) this will give you time to find a new job; 4) you don't want to make any decisions too soon.  With that said, I would ask if your travel can be reduced in the first three months after returning/  Would they do that?  Either way, I would go back, give it a month and decide what will work for you and your family.  Good luck. 

Temp146997687502158

I can't imagine traveling with breastfeeding. I would look for a job now, it takes time to find one and go back with the caviat that you can't travel due to breastfeeding.

loquinn

I started a new job after maternity leave and it was the best decision I've ever made!  I too had to travel with my previous job about once per month and it was also very demanding.  I just knew it would not be a good fit once DS was born.  I was really nervous about it all, but luckily by the time I went back to work (DS was 11 weeks), he was sleeping through the night. I think it made going back to work easier because I kept myself busy learning my new job etc.  I so go for it!  (Oh and find a job that is semi flexible)....I am allowed to work 7:30-4pm and my new job and it's WONDERFUL

Sassystace

I started a new job after maternity leave and overall it has been a good experience.  I only started after maternity leave b/c it took so long for their hiring process (I interviewed twice during my pg and by the time they made me an offer I told them I wouldn't be starting till a certain date b/c of my mat leave).  It was tough at first being totally new to everything and not knowing anyone but also I was new and didn't have a lot of responsibility yet. I was sleep deprived but nobody knew me so they didn't really know.  I was BFing and needed to pump so after the first week I got a private office where I was able to pump and then it was fine.  Until that happened I was not liking it and being new it was difficult figuring out who I really needed to talk to to make that happen.  I didn't want to have to travel at all for the first year so that would really be an issue for me but you need to make sure that you can get the maternity leave from your old job and not come back and then start the new job.  Not sure how that will work.  It worked for me b/c I switched departments at the same company so I was still covered for my maternity leave.  I didn't get my new job offer till I had been out on maternity leave for 1 month so I just never went back to my old job.  GL!