Resigning while on Maternity

[MESCHJA23]

I am currently on maternity leave from being a Nurse in the NHS, my team has drastically changed and I do not want to return. I have seen a job advertisement for my ‘dream’ job, and have discussed with the manager, who told me to submit my application, and if I got the job she would keep it until I return from maternity.

my manager was extremely supportive during my pregnancy and I feel somewhat loyal, but for my own sanity I feel ready to move on.

Can anyone advise me how I would go about submitting resignation, I’m clueless, do I submit it if the job offer is received , do I wait until the of maternity? Just trying to suss out how I go about things.

Thanks in advance

I waited until the end of my maternity leave to hand in my resignation as I accrued annual leave whilst on maternity leave. So I took my mat leave, took my annual leave and then left.

I have a friend who gave her notice in at the start of her maternity and they gave her a lump sum of her SMP. The tax was absolutely HUGE so that put me off giving in my notice right at the start.

I don’t quite understand though, is the job that you’re applying for still within the same hospital or something? I would only give in my notice for the current role if they’d let you sign a contract confirming that your start date will be on X date. You don’t want to give in your notice and some months down the line, the role has been given to someone else

I’ve just read that back and have no clue if that makes any sense sorry😅

Is the new job NHS as well? Otherwise you're going to owe money back if you don't do 3 months after Mat leave ends before leaving.

It makes sense, thanks. The role will be in a different hospital, but under the same NHS trust. I’d definitely want my contract before I submitted resignation.

Yes, still within the NHS… I couldn’t leave and go private, morally.

Before doing anything, I'd say you need to find out whether you'd have to pay back any enhanced you had and how to avoid that if applicable.

When I worked for the nhs, if I didnt return to my role for 3 months, I had to pay back some maternity pay. This might not apply to you as you are staying with the NHS but worth a check

As long as you stay in the nhs and not necessarily the same trust it shouldn't effect your mat pay. Sorry if you've already answered this but how much notice do you need to give? When should you officially start back at work could you use up annual leave that you have accrued whilst you've been on mat leave? I would speak to your HR first then your manager. For the new job do you know how long it will roughly takes for all your checks to be processed etc . I've worked with lots of people that during mat leave and applied for new jobs etc whilst working for nhs

Congratulations and hope this might help x

my maternity ends in August and my a/leave would take me up to beginning of October. If it’s within the same trust, the two managers negotiate the resignation period, I don’t think my current manager would have me doing a lot, as he knows I’m not happy in my role, and we have a good relationship. Thanks for your helpful advice, I will definitely speak to HR!