Why wait to quit your job until after maternity leave?

Sharon&Paul

I have read people say they would be returning to work for a short time after maternity leave before quitting. Why? Is there some benefit you loose if you do not return?

I have 12 weeks unpaid. I have short term disability for weeks 2-6 and about 10 weeks vacation saved. Is there any reason I should return to the job after maternity leave if my intent is to leave this job?

MommyAtty

Some places won't allow you to take paid leave if you don't plan to return. And short term disability usually won't pay if you're not returning. I would have an ethics issue with knowing I wasn't going to return and basically lying about it, but that's just me. Lots of people do exactly what you're talking about. I think some people also hedge because they honestly don't know if they're going to return, and that one I totally support and understand. Don't quit your job if you aren't sure that's the right move for you and your family.

Mustardseed2007

MommyAtty said:

Some places won't allow you to take paid leave if you don't plan to return. And short term disability usually won't pay if you're not returning. I would have an ethics issue with knowing I wasn't going to return and basically lying about it, but that's just me. Lots of people do exactly what you're talking about. I think some people also hedge because they honestly don't know if they're going to return, and that one I totally support and understand. Don't quit your job if you aren't sure that's the right move for you and your family.

yup.

Sharon&Paul

The short term disability I pay for myself, so I would not owe the company anything. I also pay 75% of my insurance, so they only pay 25%. But they will only pay that for the 10 weeks I have covered by vacation anyways. I guess if I quit before they could stop paying the 25% even though i am covered by vacation time. That may be a reason not to tell them.

minirella

I will be returning but if I didn't, I lose my leave (they would pay me for vacation but not sick) and I lose my insurance benefits. I don't have STD.

BabyHope2013

Are you sure that your employer doesn't contribute anything to your disability? If they do, they could require you to repay something back if you quit before returning. I know that most people who do this, do it for the medical coverage. If they quit before returning all medical coverage could fall back on them. If you are covered by your employer, you probably have a group plan. Not sure if they could be shady and try to cut you off like you never had coverage when you actually had your child so that they are left with all the expensive hospital bills. 

Sharon&Paul

Good points. I just don't know who to ask, because I worry they will catch on to my thoughts of leaving. I don't feel HR is really confidential.

shannm

Just be honest with them. Yes, it may cost you something but IMO, it is the right thing to do.

minirella

At my place of employment, I don't have to come back after maternity leave. I could basically let them know I am not coming back without returning at the end of that period; however, if I give that notice prior to using it, that is where I lose my <sick> leave and insurance.

I'm having twins and I've notified the bosses that my decision will be last minute and they are okay with that. They know I'm not planning to leave but there may be a reduction in my hours upon my return. I've never had twins and we are running into a childcare issue with wait lists.

HR should be able to tell you. I would just say that you are looking into your options when the baby comes and you want to be knowledgeable when making decisions. As an employee, you really should understand your benefits.

IrishTraveler

I'm returning to work because I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I absolutely have the option of not returning with no consequences, but since I had planned to return before maternity leave, I feel it's the right thing to do to give it a shot. If it doesn't work out, no hard feelings on either side.

aglenn

Sharon&Paul said:

The short term disability I pay for myself, so I would not owe the company anything. I also pay 75% of my insurance, so they only pay 25%. But they will only pay that for the 10 weeks I have covered by vacation anyways. I guess if I quit before they could stop paying the 25% even though i am covered by vacation time. That may be a reason not to tell them.

Short-term disability contracts are written as income replacement for times when you cannot work for medical reasons.  If you have resigned from your job there is no income to replace, so your policy would not necessarily pay you anything even though you are paying the premiums on it now.  Check your contract.

Sharon&Paul

aglenn said:

Sharon&Paul said:

The short term disability I pay for myself, so I would not owe the company anything. I also pay 75% of my insurance, so they only pay 25%. But they will only pay that for the 10 weeks I have covered by vacation anyways. I guess if I quit before they could stop paying the 25% even though i am covered by vacation time. That may be a reason not to tell them.

Short-term disability contracts are written as income replacement for times when you cannot work for medical reasons.  If you have resigned from your job there is no income to replace, so your policy would not necessarily pay you anything even though you are paying the premiums on it now.  Check your contract.

I understand that, but that is only an issue if I resign before maternity leave.

atrinh11

Sharon&Paul said:

Good points. I just don't know who to ask, because I worry they will catch on to my thoughts of leaving. I don't feel HR is really confidential.

I just had a conversation with HR this week. I didn't know how the STD or vacation or anything would work if I decided not to return. I just asked her "hypothetically" if I go on leave, but then decide not to return to work after, what would that mean? I got all of the answers I needed to make an informed decision. She did say to be sure if we do decide on that to let her know at least a few weeks in advance of when I "should" be returning to give them time to figure something out. I could tell it wouldn't be ideal if I did that, but there really weren't any major repercusions. It is just information a person should have to weigh their options. HR should understand that just because you ask, doesn't mean it is exactly what you will do.