aibu to apply for redundancy straight after mat leave?

[vrsahm]

Name changed as may be identifiable.

I have just returned from mat leave. The first email I opened said they were launching a voluntary redundancy scheme at my grade. Is it unreasonable to apply for it straight after a year off on ML?!

I have done the maths and I would get around £30k tax free, which would cover the amount I would have netted after travel to work and childcare for the next couple of years.

Spoke to DM who regretted the years out when I was young never confessed that to me before! but I don't necessarily have to give up work entirely, asI have lots of qualifications and might be able to find the holy grail of school hour/ local work if I am really lucky, while having the cushion of cash and no more commute....

Apart from boredom/ lack of stimulation/ career stalling, what else should I be considering?

[mindifidont]

I'd go for it!

You'll have two years to find yourself another, possibly better, job.

[Cauliflowersneeze1]

I did that , best decision ever

Do it !

[jimblejambles]

I did it. Best decision I made

[PurpleSwift]

Do it!

[vrsahm]

I am pretty much fighting the temptation to fill in the application right this second and skip off home whistling! I need to stop counting my chickens as there is no guarantee I would get it.

[pookamoo]

Worked perfectly for me.

[GoringBit]

YANBU. If people don't go for voluntary redundancy, it might be necessary to have compulsory redundancies, so really, you'll be doing your colleagues a favour.

[MuttonCadet]

It sounds perfect for you.

[Pinkandpurplehairedlady]

I did it and have never looked back. I'm less well off than I used to be but happier:)

[championnibbler]

Go for it.
And don't mind what anyone else at work thinks.
its your life and you do what's best for you and yours.

[Boomtownsurprise]

Best thing to happen to me. Go for it.

[NellWilsonsWhiteHair]

Do it! I did - worked out brilliantly.

[DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease]

Do it!

[PonderousTortoise]

Lone voice of caution here but I did it too and am now struggling to get back into work. So do it, but do start thinking ASAP about what you want to do next workwise, any re-training, when you'll start job hunting etc. and make the most of the time before you do get back into work.

Also, I would agree upfront with your P/H (assuming there is one) how your redundancy money is to be treated - you could 'pay' yourself monthly from lump sum in savings and contribute to household expenses as if earning, or you could treat it as windfall for either you personally or you as couple, depending on your circs and views. But the dynamic in a relationship often changes once one is no longer earning so be aware of that and how you will manage it.

[Mammanat222]

That is a very reasonable amount, I'd do it in a heartbeat if I was able to gain a similar amount.

[vrsahm]

Aargh, i replied an hour ago to say thanks for all the encouragement but it didn't post!

ponderoustortoise, thank you for your input. That sounds a bit like my mum's experience- She found it hard to eventually get a career back and felt less sense of self worth as a sahm apparently. I am always telling her to stop pandering to my dad, and she said she thinks that started when he was the sole breadwinner never mind that he took early retirement 20 years ago and then she was the sole worker still pandering to him!

I don't think we would have much of an issue with the dynamic thing- my husband works away all week so I am already a single parent most of the week, which is why this appeals. I also have a professional qualification so should be able to find work quite easily, and hopefully without three hours commuting each day!

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Id do it! But tbh im looking for more family friendly work (currently doing all frigging hours!)

[vrsahm]

That is also good advice about "paying myself" from my windfall. In practice I think it would be best spent paying off a chunk of our mortgage but that is limited to 10% overpayment a year so I wouldn't be able to use it all. Since my mat pay ended I have not been contributing to the joint account anyway, with a view to seeing how comfortable we were before I asked to go part time. Dh is very good about agreeing it is all "our" money, even though he earns more, and in reality I hold the pursestrings, so I don't foresee a problem there.

[vrsahm]

Really need to stop counting my chickens!!!

[Andrewofgg]

Get in!

[autumnboys]

I negotiated redundancy while I was still on maternity leave. If it fits your plans, then go for it. Check there isn't any clause about paying back enhanced maternity leave pay, if you've had it.

[MissDuke]

Do it! The mat leave has no relevance btw, you obviously have worked there a long time, I am sure many of the employees have had mat leave or extended sick leave in the past. That does not impact on this, you should def go for it!!!!

[Viviennemary]

Do it. The chance might not come again.

[littleleftie]

A friend of mind did this, in fact she was still on ML whenshe applied for redundancy. She got it, took the big payout, had another baby, and went back two and a half years later as a "consultant" at the same firm

Hope it all works out for you.