So I don't think this job thing is working out......what to do next?

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

Some of you may remember my 'do I don't I' wobbles about taking a full time job back in October last year - background is I was three months pg at the time and it was full time and we have a 2.5 year old DS, but they wouldn't consider p/t and we need the money.

So am now in the job, and it's a bit of a nightmare to be honest. Very bureaucratic (gov't agency) and a pretty low standards culture, a boss who seems incapable of giving clear direction and also seems to be suffering from depression, or something close to it, a team to manage that has some problem members in it, and a bit of a culture of blame and politics which is very wearing.

Added to which I'm now 7 months pg and very tired. DS isn't happy going to nursery full time and has become quite clingy and unsettled. I feel like my health is suffering as I can't get enough rest and don't get to spend enough time with my son or DP.

Now I know I'm hormonal and feeling things a bit much, but I've pretty much decided that unless they agree to let me come back part time after mat leave, I won't go back. (Depending on how DPs business is doing by then fingers crossed) DP thinks me working f/t is rubbish, none of us is happy basically.

But in the mean time they have promised to pay me their full mat pay which is pretty generous, and I'm worried that if I don't go back they'll think I just wanted the dosh and was never going to stick around Also hate the feeling that I'm thinking of jumping ship without making a good mark on the job, but honestly, I've never had a problem doing jobs well before, this place is just a nightmare. Do you think I should refuse to take the mat pay? Or offer to pay it back if they turn down my part time request?

Not sure what advice people can give but wanted to offload a bit, any sage words at all would help, even if they're just about cake

[AlysGriffin]

Check the terms of their mat pay - in most workplaces, you would have to pay back anything over the statutory minimum if you don't go back.

[TotalChaos]

agree with alys. and I remember the original thread in October, sorry you aren't enjoying the job.

[TheThoughtPolice]

In the company I work for you don't have to pay back your mat pay (over and above stat mat pay) if you come back and work 3 months. If you resign after 3mo you are all square. Lots of women in my workplace have taken advantage of that 'loophole'. Not saying it is ethically correct but it is legal.

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

Thanks ladies - just checked the policy and there's no mention of having to repay any pay if I don't go back. It just says I need to notify my line manager in good time.

[TheThoughtPolice]

I would double and triple check with HR

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

I'm not sure I want to alert them to the possibility that I might not come back though.....I would go back if they agreed to part time, am just having a really rubbish day today, but am feeling glum.

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

I know you're right, I'm just overthinking it all right now.

Have tons of work to do before I go on leave, and got told off by my boss today (for something that wasn't good enough, but he COMPLETELY left us to it with very little direction), plus REALLY bad night's sleep plus hormones makes everything seem completely insurmountable.

Shall park this issue until I go on leave.