Community› The Bump Message Boards› Working Moms
Working Moms
New Discussion

Taking a new job during maternity leave?

highlightshighlights member
in Working Moms

I've been job searching for almost a year, and am hoping to ramp up my efforts during maternity leave. 

I've been saving my leave for two years and have enough saved up to pay for my entire leave (12 weeks per FMLA). If/when I resign, I will lose my sick leave, but am eligible to be paid out for my vacation.

I have to use my sick leave before I can use my vacation leave during FMLA. My question is- if I get hired somewhere else before my FMLA is up, do you still give notice, or do I start at the other job right away (after 6 weeks) and tell them I am done simultaneously, or is it a better move to go back to the job, work for two weeks to give notice and wrap up loose ends? I am concerned about leaving with hard feelings, and would prefer to be on the up and up, but at the same time, losing the time off that I have banked is a large amount of money, not to mention paid time off with my newborn...

Does this question even make sense? 

BabyFruit Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: Taking a new job during maternity leave?

  • highlightshighlights member

    I've combed through our handbook, and found nothing about not returning from FMLA. 

     I'd prefer not to let my supervisor know that I am looking for jobs, and we really don't have an HR department.  

    BabyFruit Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • Brady77Brady77 member

    I can't speak to the FMLA part b/c my employer wasn't big enough for that to be relevant.  I'd imagine that if you google that question re: FMLA online you may be able to find an answer.

    I did however accept another job while on maternity leave. My leave was a combo of paid/unpaid leave.  I interviewed 1 week post partum and then had the final interview 3 weeks post partum and was offered the job/accepted at about 6 weeks pp.  I immediately made an appt with my supervisor and went in and told him.  I had told the new job that I needed 8 weeks (6 weeks to finish out maternity leave and 2 weeks to wrap up loose ends at my job).  I offered my job 2 weeks following maternity leave.  They were fine with that but in reality I only needed to come back for a few days.

    I am not going to lie, telling my boss was very difficult for me.  It was really awkward.  But in the end it was a better opportunity so everyone was happy for me.

    Report Reply
  • waTracywaTracy
    Personally I'd wait till FMLA is over to take on a new job. I'd go back, and give 2 weeks notice.  A lot of people expect many of us not to return even though we take FMLA.  I remember going into my boss and telling him I was going to take my whole FMLA time, though at first I wasn't planning on it.  He thought I was coming in to say I was resigning.
    image @wa_tracy image Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    My Ovulation Chart
    Report Reply
  • JUSTMENU4JUSTMENU4

    i want to do the same thing. at my job i was told by a now ex co worker that it is best to come back first. then give your notice because for my job they make you pay the FMLA money back if  you quite while out on maternity leave.

    it's a hard thing to check because some companies will frown if you even ask & put you in a situation where you have to quit whether you have a new job or not.

    check with your state laws on FMLA & maternity leave. It will at least give you the bear minimum a company is required to do by law

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"