Starting a new job while on maternity leave as I am going to be made redundant!!

[gpolak]

Hi all,

Im after some advice. I am currently on maternity leave with my second child. I don't have to return to work until October. I have been in this job for 8 years.
I have been made aware that I will be made redundant from my job in October as the site I work at will be closing, this is not yet common knowledge but the finance director let slip when I was talking to her!

My saving will run out before October but I didn't really want to return to my previous job as the hours are not suitable with 2 under 2 so I was looking at getting a part time job in May/June.
If I don't inform my employer and I'm still classed as employed will I still receive my redundancy?

Im currently receiving SMP but this will stop at the end of June.
There is nothing in my contract about other employment while on maternity and I don't need to pay back any of my MAT pay if I don't return to work.

I know my SMP will stop as soon as I start a new job but will I still be entitled to my redundancy??

Don't want to make to wrong decision and miss out on the redundancy!

Thanks
Gemma

[chairmeoh]

I may be wrong (am no expert) but surely this would be the same as leaving a job in the normal way and then finding out at a later date that the role was due to be made redundant after you left voluntarily.
So I think you'd only be eligible for any redundancy payment if you're still employed with your current employer when the redundancy announcement is made.
I'm not certain whether you can work for other employers while on Mat leave?

[EauPea]

Could you not look at returning to your job in June, this may get them to bring the refundancy forward boosting your savings and giving you breathing space to find a job that fits?

[gpolak]

Thats what I'm thinking but I don't need to return until October by which point they would of informed me that I was being redundant.
There is nothing in my contract restricting other employment on mat leave or otherwise. I just don't want to start some part time work if it means i loose my redundancy or maybe i will have to go back to the job for a few months and just make it work with childcare until i'm made redundant!?

[EauPea]

I would hold out until october then. I don't think you can work whilst receiving mat pay (other than kit days) but I may be totally wrong.

[FishWithABicycle]

If you do any work during mat leave other than kit days for your main employer you forfeit your right to mat pay.

[EauPea]

Just a thought, do you qualify for tax credits?

If so, are you aware that the first £100 per week of mat pay is disregarded when working out your income, I think the same may apply to housing benefit.

Sorry if this doesn't apply to your circs, but if it does, it might help to eek your savings out for a while longer?