- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Working Moms
Barbara83
member
Finding a new job during maternity leave
Barbara83
member
in Working Moms
I'm currently on maternity leave. I want to look for another job while I'm on leave because I don't make enough money at my current job to support me and the baby, and right before I left they reorganized the entire dept and my role has changed a bit, and my position I'm in isn't really what I want to do long term or what I went to school for. My question is, do I have to come back to work after my maternity leave ends in order to get my full maternity pay or can I just give them my notice while I'm away and just never return?
I don't want to burn any bridges because I'd like to use my employer as a reference in the future. This also makes finding a new job difficult because I don't want my current employer to know I'm looking somewhere else so I don't think I'll list them as a reference. Should I just return after my maternity leave, be honest to them about why I'm leaving and give my 2 weeks notice? Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.Thanks!
I don't want to burn any bridges because I'd like to use my employer as a reference in the future. This also makes finding a new job difficult because I don't want my current employer to know I'm looking somewhere else so I don't think I'll list them as a reference. Should I just return after my maternity leave, be honest to them about why I'm leaving and give my 2 weeks notice? Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Finding a new job during maternity leave
Depends on the firm, some will make you pay back benefits
As for burning bridges, as a boss I'd be livid is a worker said they were coming back and then didn't because they went to another firm. Even with two weeks I'd still be pretty annoyed.
Have you told current employer you were coming back after leave?
If you do leave I'd say it was about change in job and not money.
I wouldn't quit unless i had a new job lined up. I've only just started to look.
Money is the main factor that makes me want/need a new job. I wish I could just ask for more money but since they reorganized the dept when I come back I'm going to have a new manager, new boss, and situated in a whole new building with different employees so no one really knows me that well to be able to be in the position to give me more money. Plus I almost feel like since I did just have 3 months off for maternity leave I shouldn't be asking for things like this even though I'm really underpaid for the position I am in.
If you think you deserve more money and can back it with facts go for it. The worst that can happen is they say no and then if you leave you can say it was job role and being under compensated.
But as someone who manages a team I can tell you requests for more money just because your expenses went up are never approved and are frowned upon. The corporate stance is we all have bills to pay and you should have thought of your finances before getting pregnant. Might sound harsh but that is how management and HR sees things.
1) You will absolutely burn bridges if you say you're coming back from maternity leave and you don't. And if your employer hears you're looking for a new job on maternity leave, that won't do wonders for you either.
2) If you don't return from maternity leave, depending on your employer's policies, you may be required to pay for the benefits they provided for you on leave.
3) If you're going to ask me for more money, you need to make a case based on the value you create for the business, not your personal expenses. I know this sounds harsh, but I don't care if you're not living within your means. I care ALOT if you're helping my business become more successful. By all means, if you're significantly underpaid for your position and experience, point that out, but you absolutely must follow up with reasons why giving you the extra money you want is the very best possible way to spend that money for the business.
4) It's very tough to be a great job candidate when you're handling all of the post-partum changes going on. And it's very tough to start a new job with a new infant as well. I understand you need more money, but can you delay your search even a few months? You may find that you really click with your new supervisor, you won't piss your current employer off (and potentially incur benefits costs), and you'll probably come off as a better candidate for a new employer simply because you are more used to being a mom and the balancing act we all manage.
2010: Infertility
October 2015: missed miscarriage #2 at 11 weeks (trisomy 22)
I have more to add.
First, I think it's your right to take maternity leave and if you get a better job and don't go back to your first job, that is your prerogative. So what if you inconvenience your old boss? People leave jobs all the time. Just because you take a benefit like maternity leave does not mean that you are chained to that job for now or for ever. You have to do what's right for you. Your company would not hesitate to lay you off if they needed to cut costs, and you should be looking out for yourself and your family first.
Second; However, you, of course, need to do it in the most polite and correct way that you can. Don't be a *** about it, but tell them as soon as you have a new job. Try not to burn bridges, but I don't think quitting during maternity leave is a surefire way to do that.
Third, some kinds of leave must be paid back. Can you anonymously call your HR and find out if yours does?
2010: Infertility
October 2015: missed miscarriage #2 at 11 weeks (trisomy 22)
You can always do what is best for you but don't think word doesn't get around and that screwing firm over firm wont mean lost references in long run.