Notifying work..

[Swizzle99]

We have just been given a date for matching panel, and a date for introductions to start. We've not got long to wait as most of the paperwork had been done prior to the official linking meeting earlier this week.

My question is how and when do I tell work?

I work full time, in a job where I will need to be replaced and so my boss will need to advertise, interview and recruit. I will not be going back to work after my adoption leave is over as I will become a stay at home mum! Should I tell my employer this owe will it effect the SAP I hope to receive?

Also, there is not a lot of time before I will actually be going on leave so when do I tell work? And do I need to write a letter or fill in a form?
Should I include the dates but what if they ask for proof? I already know that I am only entitled to Statutory Adoption Pay but just want to get it all right!

I would give them the heads up now. But check your HR POLICIES AS TO HOW MUCH NOTICE YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM.

I wouldn't tell them you weren't coming back

You will get a 'matching certificate' when you are matched. It is this your work will need as proof of your entitlement to leave/pay.

Oh, sorry for the caps lock. Didn't notice that as I was typing.

I told my employer throughout the process and told her likely dates, but they kept changing. When you go to matching panel you get a certificate that you give to your employer and with this i included my letter. It can be very quick tho so should definitely give them a heads up.
If you don't go back, my contract (LA) says I have to pay back some SAP, so worth checking.

Mine was nearly 8 years ago now.

But

I think you should give informal notification now, but say you are unable to give formal notification until after panel (and receiving matching certificate following decision makers final rubber stamp).

Don't inform them now you don't intend to return, but check whether there is any claw-back on anything they give you for pay over statutory minimum.

Our policy states you only have to give notice once a matching certificate has been received. No one has ever adopted at my place though so I'm a good test of the policy! I've explained that I could disappear quite quickly after matching panel and that I genuinely don't know if I'll be back part time or at all, they are fine with whatever but just want plenty of notice. Check your policy and speak to your HR person about what you are entitled to because if you claim benefits from the company then don't return to work you might have to repay them.

I told my employer aftre the matching panel and then the match fell through ( because a birth relative came forward and wanted to take the child ) . My employers were very annoyed with me, they implied that I was messing them about by changing dates. My line manager was REALLY nasty , he clearly didn't approve at all.

I then had to wait months for another match and things were very diffuclt during that time. I needed to go back to work aftre my adoption leave so it was a big problem for me .

BTW this was a very large employer , there were plenty other doing the same role and I'd been there for 10 years

I kept my employer updated all the way through. One of our area managers acted as a referee for us in stage one and then they knew about approval panel and when the SW came to talk about the potential match. The HR policy was to give 30 days notice after matching so have to say they couldn't have been more supportive or excited!! I gave them about 6 weeks notice as matching panel was the week before Xmas and I left end January.
Panel dates changed 3 times, SW kept changing dates for planning meeting so that was a lot of messing. Matching certificate didn't arrive until mid January so hr just took my word for it!!
I realise I have been really lucky with work, not every one is. however just talk to your line manager, let them know what's going on and that you have to play it by ear abit. Best of luck xx

Thanks for all your advice.

I have given work notice of matching panel date (I need a day off work to attend!) and a start of introductions date.

I haven't told them that I don't intend to return to work, but will tell them this once I am match as I don't want to have to repay any part of the statutory adoption pay that I will receive whilst on leave.

My work have been very understanding and accommodating throughout the whole process (nearly 2 years now!). I feel that it is only fair that I give them as much notice as possible as they will need to advertise to fill my position, interview, ect. As far as I can see, I only have to give them notice of my intent to take adoption leave after we have been matched..but introductions are planned for 2 weeks after panel so that wouldn't be long enough in my view!

Thanks for your advice everyone!

Depending on your pension arrangements , it might be worthwhile going back to work for one month to buy another year on your pension .because you acrue annual leave while you are on maternity leave, you probably won't physically won't have to go back to work IYSWIM