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Pros and cons of maternity cover contracts

5 replies

SuddenArborealStop · 26/04/2021 09:51

Can anyone who does maternity covers, or maybe just contract work help me consider them as an option. I want to make sure I think about everything.
My current job is fine but I'm doing 5 days work in 4 and am working on some demanding clients. I'm good at my job but I'm not being given enough time to think and find the optimum solution to issues as we've become more busy since covid.

I worry if I change jobs I'll quickly find myself in the same situation, I frequently get promoted above my comfort level quickly and I haven't managed to avoid this despite laying down in interviews what I want.
My kids are young I'm really tired and I thought I could maybe take the pressure off by doing a few maternity covers.
Some cons
I find new situations stressful, by the time I've settled in it might be time to go
I might not retain 4 day work week
It might be hard to find a full time job when I want one again
Does it look bad on cv?
Pros
Less pressure, every maternity cover I've worked with the bosses are only delighted if they get someone in anyway competent, (I accept this could be my employers).
I don't need to worry about making friends and if anyone will eat lunch with me- this is one of the reasons I hate new situations but if I'm not staying it doesn't matter.
Opportunity to try out some new industries and maybe find a better fit for me long term

I expect to come into a bit of money in a few months time so the pressure for money will not be as urgent and I think it's the time to try something new.

OP posts:
Justajot · 26/04/2021 09:54

I'm always delighted to have a competent maternity cover - so much so that I would definitely consider a 4 day per week cover. Quite often the cover is for someone having a second child, so already a part time role.

SuddenArborealStop · 26/04/2021 10:09

Thanks @Justajot do you go through an agency for covers? I wonder if I'm super specific with a recruiter I could find something to suit.

OP posts:
Justajot · 26/04/2021 10:17

Yes, our recruitment team goes through agencies. They refuse to use more than a couple of agencies, so I'd register with lots of them.

When it comes to getting a permanent job again, I don't think it looks bad on a cv, though that might be my opinion, rather than a widely shared one. I have turned down candidates who have jumped about a lot in permanent jobs, but only because they gave really weak answers about it at interview. Whereas, "I left because it was a temp role and the person I was covering returned" is a perfectly reasonable explanation.

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LakeShoreD · 26/04/2021 10:25

Most maternity covers end up being kept on, even if the person on maternity comes back, a good cover will often be found a role somewhere. I’ve done 2- the first one I worked there for 4 years, and the second for 18 months. In my case it was a chance to progress my career as the mat covers were a step above what I was doing previously and I hadn’t had much luck getting interviews when applying for similar permanent roles. I’d definitely recommend doing it. Oh and people were friendly and ate lunch with me!

SuddenArborealStop · 26/04/2021 12:10

@LakeShoreD was there any acknowledgement during the initial period of the contract that you might not be there long term. Like if a long term project came up was it more likely to go to a permanent member of staff

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