Do I tell them I'm on maternity leave??

[Flackgirl]

DD is 5 months old, and I'm due to go back to work in a few months. My job is quite far (1.5 hour commute) from where I live and they are still to confirm whether I can reduce my hours from FT to 4 days per week.

I applied for a job the other day and was pretty sure I wouldn't hear back from them - either at all, or at least for a few weeks. Got a very quick response asking me to do a phone interview tomorrow!

My quandry is - do I disclose I am on maternity leave? If so, when?

This is a great opportunity for me at a company just round the corner from my house. I would have to work FT and, I imagine, do some travelling but not as many anti-social hours as current role.

My current job requires me to give them three months' notice, which I will obviously have to let the interviewer know at some point. This is not that unusual for industry/level. BUT do I say I am on mat leave? I don't want to scupper my chances but I would rather be open and the idea of keeping 'secret' doesn't sit well with me.

Thoughts??

[Lunar1]

Are you wanting to start much longer than a three month notice period from now. Or will you be going back to work then giving notice?

Careful you don't end up having to pay back maternity pay if you decide to go for the new job.

[Flackgirl]

Hi Lunar - no, I would start immediately after three month notice period, without going back to work. So, in 3 months' time.

I definitely don't have to pay anything back - confirmed that before I left!

[Chippednailvarnishing]

Go for it.

[Lunar1]

Just double check you don't have a clause about any mat pay. I had to go back for 12 weeks or I'd have had to pay mine back. Otherwise, go for it!

[Lunar1]

Sorry missed the end of your post!!!

[Flackgirl]

so...I just should tell them up-front I'm on mat leave?

[Piffpaffpoff]

I wouldn't tell them. It's irrelevant and, like it or not, it may unconsciously affect their view of you (Young mum, will need lots of days off for illness etc). It's crap and shouldn't happen but it does.

[Cluesue]

I would just tell them about the 3 months notice,really do not think being on ML is relevant.
You are employed and simply leaving one job for another.

[familyfarm]

Yes don't say anything, just that you need to give 3 months notice. Best of luck

[HairySubject]

If you are happy to start the new job in 3 months I wouldn't mention the maternity leave and just hand in your notice.

[Scarydinosaurs]

I wouldn't mention it unless they outright asked you about your current position. It isn't relevant to them?

[Cluesue]

How did the phone interview go flack?