Changing jobs during maternity leave

ChicagoWeded2007 · June 2012

Has anyone changed jobs during their maternity leave. My son is 4 months old and I had paid maternity leave for 3 months. I am not getting paid now and plan to return on July 2. A few weeks ago I was recruited for a job that will increase my pay by 90 percent. I have a second interview late next week. I guess I am taking the risk that I will get an offer right before or right after returning from maternity leave. I am very excited about this job and not just for the money. Is there any way to leave my job without burning my bridges. I was not looking for this job, but it fell upon me.

Luckie519 · June 2012

I have not, but I seem to remember a couple of people on here saying that they thought if you changed jobs during maternity leave, that they had to repay some of the money and also pay some of the insurance their employer paid in. I could totally be wrong.

Congrats on the prospective job!

ChicagoWeded2007 · June 2012

Thanks! I am on my husband's health insurance and I'm pretty sure I won't have to pay back my employer... Wouldn't they have told me before leave?

I work in a small niche, so I really hope that if I get the job my bosses will understand.

jesspacatc · June 2012

In my company you would have to repay them.

GreenMonkey1 · June 2012

ChicagoWeded2007:
Thanks! I am on my husband's health insurance and I'm pretty sure I won't have to pay back my employer... Wouldn't they have told me before leave?
I work in a small niche, so I really hope that if I get the job my bosses will understand.

I would call your HR office or HR representative (or whoever does HR) and ask. My HR office does not seem to tell me anything in advance unless I ask.

ChicagoWeded2007 · June 2012

Thanks! But I am really more concerned about my reputation than having to pay that money back. How would you judge someone who leaves for a higher paying Jon during maternity leave?

merri25 · June 2012

I am 32 weeks pregnant, but also a small business owner. I understand that women have to do what is best for them and their family, but I think that you also have to take into consideration the company that you are working for. Not sure if you are getting paid or not, or on FMLA or not, but regardless of the situation, it is very hard on a small (or any size, I would assume) company to deal with such large leaves of absence, only to have their employee turn their back on them.

I would talk to the other company and see if you can put a delay on the start date, to at least go back to your company and see if you can work it out, and/or help hire a replacement and train them.

That being said, a 90% pay raise is a ton of money....so just make your decision wisely and be careful not to burn any bridges. Good Luck.

ChicagoWeded2007 · June 2012

merri25:
I am 32 weeks pregnant, but also a small business owner. I understand that women have to do what is best for them and their family, but I think that you also have to take into consideration the company that you are working for. Not sure if you are getting paid or not, or on FMLA or not, but regardless of the situation, it is very hard on a small (or any size, I would assume) company to deal with such large leaves of absence, only to have their employee turn their back on them.

I would talk to the other company and see if you can put a delay on the start date, to at least go back to your company and see if you can work it out, and/or help hire a replacement and train them.

That being said, a 90% pay raise is a ton of money....so just make your decision wisely and be careful not to burn any bridges. Good Luck.

Thank you for the input. I work for a very large company and there are several individuals who would be ready and willing to take over my projects. Having already been gone since February, those people have already been covering for me. I can't say that I am totally replaceable, but it shouldn't be too big of a problem.

jnealet · June 2012

To do it right, you should turn in your resignation and offer 2 weeks, maybe go back from your leave 2 weeks early if you feel like you have to start the new job sooner. Really, if the other company came to you, then I would think they could wait 2 weeks and respect your decision to tender your resignation correctly.

Brady77 · June 2012

jnealet:
To do it right, you should turn in your resignation and offer 2 weeks, maybe go back from your leave 2 weeks early if you feel like you have to start the new job sooner. Really, if the other company came to you, then I would think they could wait 2 weeks and respect your decision to tender your resignation correctly.

I agree with jnealet.I changed jobs on maternity leave. Got the call while I was still in the hospital, did a phone interview 1 week PP and then did 2nd interview 3 weeks PP. It took them another 6 weeks to offer me the job (ah the government...) and at that point I was onto unpaid leave. I was very upfront with the new employer that I needed a fair amount of time in order to give my prior job adequate time.

I went into my office immediately (I was an associate attorney in private practice fwiw) and told them I had accepted an offer. I said I will come back for 3-4 weeks or however long it takes to transition everything starting on my original return date. They were fine with that. It only took two weeks but I made sure everything was done correctly and in place. Reactions ranged from partners being very happy for me and telling me I made the right move to a couple being slightly annoyed not because of the maternity leave, just that I was leaving in general. That passed quickly. I wouldn't have any issue asking for a reference going forward and have stopped by with DD several times at their request.

Can't speak to having to pay leave back, mine did not ask me to do so.

GL to you! I have to say this was probably one of the best family/career decisions I have ever made. I hope it works out well for you too.

CuppyCakes88 · June 2012

Hi! I just did this but I did my homework first. I knew before leaving on maternity leave that I was going to try my hardest to find another job closer to home with more money while out on leave.

2 weeks after LO was born the resumes were being sent out. I got lucky and did find a new employer who was willing to wait until my leave was over for me to start.

For my old employer I called HR and asked:
1. If I do not return from maternity leave do I have to pay back any benefits or short term disability funds?
2. When will my heath coverage end? (this is crucial if you need benefits. Your new employer may not allow benefits to start for up to 90 days).

Good luck and the best things in life find us when you aren't expecting them

ChicagoWeded2007 · June 2012

Brady77:
jnealet:
To do it right, you should turn in your resignation and offer 2 weeks, maybe go back from your leave 2 weeks early if you feel like you have to start the new job sooner. Really, if the other company came to you, then I would think they could wait 2 weeks and respect your decision to tender your resignation correctly.

I agree with jnealet.I changed jobs on maternity leave. Got the call while I was still in the hospital, did a phone interview 1 week PP and then did 2nd interview 3 weeks PP. It took them another 6 weeks to offer me the job (ah the government...) and at that point I was onto unpaid leave. I was very upfront with the new employer that I needed a fair amount of time in order to give my prior job adequate time.

I went into my office immediately (I was an associate attorney in private practice fwiw) and told them I had accepted an offer. I said I will come back for 3-4 weeks or however long it takes to transition everything starting on my original return date. They were fine with that. It only took two weeks but I made sure everything was done correctly and in place. Reactions ranged from partners being very happy for me and telling me I made the right move to a couple being slightly annoyed not because of the maternity leave, just that I was leaving in general. That passed quickly. I wouldn't have any issue asking for a reference going forward and have stopped by with DD several times at their request.

Can't speak to having to pay leave back, mine did not ask me to do so.

GL to you! I have to say this was probably one of the best family/career decisions I have ever made. I hope it works out well for you too.

Thanks so much for your input! I'm also an attorney. Right now I work at an acctg firm and hoping to make the move back to a law firm. The amount of work is comparable, but obviously the pay is not. I am nervous that I will go back to work and then get the new job offer right away. Oh well.

Brady77 · June 2012

ChicagoWeded2007:

Thanks so much for your input! I'm also an attorney. Right now I work at an acctg firm and hoping to make the move back to a law firm. The amount of work is comparable, but obviously the pay is not. I am nervous that I will go back to work and then get the new job offer right away. Oh well.

Well as my father said, they are going to do whatever is right for their business and you need to do what is best for you. Your employer should be respectful of that, but they may not be.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you. My H was just saying the other night how much happier I am due to the move.

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