Will mum return from maternity?

[Mountaingoatling]

Hello All

I am covering for someone on maternity leave. I really enjoy the role!

I imagine she will return to her role. It is her second child. But does anyone know the statistics of people not returning?

It is her job of course, so I am expecting her to return. But I hope she doesn't (selfishly!) And wondered what the likelihood might be. She will have a three and one year old when the maternity leave ends. The now two year old is in nursery full time.

I am not trying to pinch her job, just wondering if there are any clues or wisdom, really!

Thank you

I’m guessing she will return. Could you do a job share? Maybe she’d prefer to go part time? Depends how many hours you need though.

This has reminded me that one of the candidates for my maternity cover asked me at the interview whether I was planning on coming back 😂

Watching with interest. Her three year old will qualify for free nursery hours. Two sets of childcare fees is probably what puts a lot of women off returning, sadly.

Agree that she probably will, but job share might be a possibility - and no harm in telling your manager and HR how much you love it, they'll like to hear it and there may be other opportunities, either in the company or if not, they may be able to put a good word for you in their wider networks (if it's the role not just the company).

@OverTheRubicon

Agree that she probably will, but job share might be a possibility - and no harm in telling your manager and HR how much you love it, they'll like to hear it and there may be other opportunities, either in the company or if not, they may be able to put a good word for you in their wider networks (if it's the role not just the company).

Very good point - is it the kind of company where a similar role might be available?

In my profession, the figure I heard is that 40% of women stop working when they have their first child. That seems very high to me (I'd have guessed 5-10% based on women I know). It is one of the established professions and many women are married to high earners. I can't find the research now, so I can't actually say that that figure is correct...

In your case, it will depend on the industry, the job, the package (e.g. does she need to return to work to avoid paying back maternity pay), her circumstances, and various other factors. I don't think general statistics will be very helpful.

I would need full time hours but I suppose that might be an option as she only worked four days a week although I work five. She might want to go to three, and with the team growing, maybe something would work.

I've been very clear with her that I'm looking after things for her. That candidate sounds very cheeky. Part of the reason it's a good role is because of her efforts and decisions, so it really is her job I do know that!!

I would say if the first child is in nursery full time while she's on maternity leave then yes she plans to come back. Otherwise she'd have likely dropped the nursery days down a bit, so the eldest got the benefit of going without the cost (apart from everything else associated with sending a child to nursery full time while you're at home with the sibling...). I'm projecting what I would/have done though and then extrapolating, so who knows!

They could potentially make two roles...the company is growing quite fast.

I'm not sure of her financial situation or husband's income...and obviously would hate to ask around and be 'that person'.

The office is a long commute for her.

Good idea to check if maternity pay would need to be paid back...

Thanks everyone for being nice...I do understand it is her job...just can't help but hope.

@8dpwoah

I would say if the first child is in nursery full time while she's on maternity leave then yes she plans to come back. Otherwise she'd have likely dropped the nursery days down a bit, so the eldest got the benefit of going without the cost (apart from everything else associated with sending a child to nursery full time while you're at home with the sibling...). I'm projecting what I would/have done though and then extrapolating, so who knows!

This is very helpful. Also she was fully engaged right until her very last hour...there was no winding down and she was indeed planning ahead. So yes, I imagine she will be coming back.

Having also seen maternity covers come in that fitted so well that attempts were made to retain them even if it wasn't directly to the job they were covering (if your ethics and personality fit with the workplace, and you've got skills that can be used on a suitable vacancy, kind of thing), it would be worth making it known, very gently, that you enjoy working there and aren't in a rush to secure a contract elsewhere for when this one ends. The fact you enjoy it means you are probably doing well at it too, just don't let them assume you'll be skipping off if/when she comes back!

@8dpwoah

Having also seen maternity covers come in that fitted so well that attempts were made to retain them even if it wasn't directly to the job they were covering (if your ethics and personality fit with the workplace, and you've got skills that can be used on a suitable vacancy, kind of thing), it would be worth making it known, very gently, that you enjoy working there and aren't in a rush to secure a contract elsewhere for when this one ends. The fact you enjoy it means you are probably doing well at it too, just don't let them assume you'll be skipping off if/when she comes back!

Thank you. That is a good tip. I've never covered for maternity before and so I've been loudly proclaiming how I will only be here until x's return...you're right that at the right moment I could say how much I enjoy it actually! Thanks so much x

I didn't with ds now a teen as they wouldn't accommodate my hours. When he started school I returned obviously as a new employee. Was there another 5 years then was on maternity. But my then I hated the job, well the dept and manager really. So I didn't go back.

I got my job originally as maternity cover for someone else. She came back, but my boss kept me on on a fixed term contract in the same team and eventually gave me a permanent job.

As PPs say, I’d stress how much you’re enjoying it. If the team is expanding, I’m sure you’re in a good position to impress.

All 3 of my maternity covers were retained a role was found for each of them.

You definitely cannot be ‘that person’ and start asking questions about her circumstances!

Instead, you would be better off raising your own profile and demonstrating to the organisation your skills and what you bring. Build a network and then, in the event the post holder does not return you’ll be well positioned as a candidate to take on the role. I’m in the public sector so even if someone did not return from maternity leave, the post would have to be advertised.

I've done two mat covers and they both came back/intended to come back. I did two mat leaves and came back after the first one and was made redundant on the second one cunts. On one of my mat cover jobs the post was made redundant but I was kept on and that was a bit dodgy to be honest!!

If she has her three year old in nursery full time while on maternity then she isn’t much bothered about leaving them. Most Mums with on second maternity put the eldest in nursery part time so they can still spend a bit of time with them before they go back. I reckon she will come back to the job. You never know she might ask for part time hours. Maybe you could job share?

Thanks everyone. I've learned a lot from what you've shared. Even though it's unquantifiable there's things to think on. Thank you.