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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

aibu to apply for redundancy straight after mat leave?

39 replies

vrsahm · 02/01/2015 14:11

Name changed as may be identifiable.

I have just returned from mat leave. The first email I opened said they were launching a voluntary redundancy scheme at my grade. Is it unreasonable to apply for it straight after a year off on ML?!

I have done the maths and I would get around £30k tax free, which would cover the amount I would have netted after travel to work and childcare for the next couple of years.

Spoke to DM who regretted the years out when I was young never confessed that to me before! but I don't necessarily have to give up work entirely, asI have lots of qualifications and might be able to find the holy grail of school hour/ local work if I am really lucky, while having the cushion of cash and no more commute....

Apart from boredom/ lack of stimulation/ career stalling, what else should I be considering?

OP posts:
mindifidont · 02/01/2015 14:13

I'd go for it!

You'll have two years to find yourself another, possibly better, job.

Cauliflowersneeze1 · 02/01/2015 14:13

I did that , best decision ever

Do it !

jimblejambles · 02/01/2015 14:14

I did it. Best decision I made

PurpleSwift · 02/01/2015 14:15

Do it!

Original poster
vrsahm · 02/01/2015 14:16

I am pretty much fighting the temptation to fill in the application right this second and skip off home whistling! I need to stop counting my chickens as there is no guarantee I would get it.

OP posts:
Babiecakes11 · 02/01/2015 14:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pookamoo · 02/01/2015 14:17

Worked perfectly for me.

GoringBit · 02/01/2015 14:37

YANBU. If people don't go for voluntary redundancy, it might be necessary to have compulsory redundancies, so really, you'll be doing your colleagues a favour.

MuttonCadet · 02/01/2015 14:40

It sounds perfect for you.

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 02/01/2015 14:41

I did it and have never looked back. I'm less well off than I used to be but happier:)

championnibbler · 02/01/2015 15:02

Go for it.
And don't mind what anyone else at work thinks.
its your life and you do what's best for you and yours.

Boomtownsurprise · 02/01/2015 15:03

Best thing to happen to me. Go for it.

NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 02/01/2015 15:04

Do it! I did - worked out brilliantly.

DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 02/01/2015 15:05

Do it!

PonderousTortoise · 02/01/2015 15:57

Lone voice of caution here but I did it too and am now struggling to get back into work. So do it, but do start thinking ASAP about what you want to do next workwise, any re-training, when you'll start job hunting etc. and make the most of the time before you do get back into work.

Also, I would agree upfront with your P/H (assuming there is one) how your redundancy money is to be treated - you could 'pay' yourself monthly from lump sum in savings and contribute to household expenses as if earning, or you could treat it as windfall for either you personally or you as couple, depending on your circs and views. But the dynamic in a relationship often changes once one is no longer earning so be aware of that and how you will manage it.

Mammanat222 · 02/01/2015 15:58

That is a very reasonable amount, I'd do it in a heartbeat if I was able to gain a similar amount.

Original poster
vrsahm · 02/01/2015 16:27

Aargh, i replied an hour ago to say thanks for all the encouragement but it didn't post!

ponderoustortoise, thank you for your input. That sounds a bit like my mum's experience- She found it hard to eventually get a career back and felt less sense of self worth as a sahm apparently. I am always telling her to stop pandering to my dad, and she said she thinks that started when he was the sole breadwinner never mind that he took early retirement 20 years ago and then she was the sole worker still pandering to him!

I don't think we would have much of an issue with the dynamic thing- my husband works away all week so I am already a single parent most of the week, which is why this appeals. I also have a professional qualification so should be able to find work quite easily, and hopefully without three hours commuting each day!

OP posts:
ThinkIveBeenHacked · 02/01/2015 16:30

Id do it! But tbh im looking for more family friendly work (currently doing all frigging hours!)

Original poster
vrsahm · 02/01/2015 16:33

That is also good advice about "paying myself" from my windfall. In practice I think it would be best spent paying off a chunk of our mortgage but that is limited to 10% overpayment a year so I wouldn't be able to use it all. Since my mat pay ended I have not been contributing to the joint account anyway, with a view to seeing how comfortable we were before I asked to go part time. Dh is very good about agreeing it is all "our" money, even though he earns more, and in reality I hold the pursestrings, so I don't foresee a problem there.

OP posts:
Original poster
vrsahm · 02/01/2015 16:36

Really need to stop counting my chickens!!!

OP posts:
Andrewofgg · 02/01/2015 16:36

Get in!

autumnboys · 02/01/2015 16:36

I negotiated redundancy while I was still on maternity leave. If it fits your plans, then go for it. Check there isn't any clause about paying back enhanced maternity leave pay, if you've had it.

MissDuke · 02/01/2015 16:38

Do it! The mat leave has no relevance btw, you obviously have worked there a long time, I am sure many of the employees have had mat leave or extended sick leave in the past. That does not impact on this, you should def go for it!!!!

Viviennemary · 02/01/2015 16:41

Do it. The chance might not come again.

littleleftie · 02/01/2015 16:43

A friend of mind did this, in fact she was still on ML whenshe applied for redundancy. She got it, took the big payout, had another baby, and went back two and a half years later as a "consultant" at the same firm Grin

Hope it all works out for you.

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