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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To quit after Mat leave..

20 replies

Jadefeather7 · 09/07/2021 23:23

Even though my work policy says if you resign within 6 months you have to pay back your maternity pay? Trying to figure out how likely it is that they would enforce this, especially because my team is failing to bring in work and we will probably end up being made redundant at some point in the next year or two. I’m desperate to get out. Can’t afford to pay the mat leave pay back. Do I just apply to jobs and tell them I have a 6 month notice period effectively or is that unreasonable and should I be patient and wait out the 6 months with the risk of redundancy

OP posts:

CovidCorvid · 09/07/2021 23:26

Ime from everyone I know every company enforces it. They don’t want one person to be let off and others follow suit. Your only hope is if they are already planning redundancies and think this might save them a bigger redundancy pay out…so might depend how long you’ve worked there and what a possible pay out would be compared to maternity pay. But they might be happy to take the gamble that you’ll walk anyway and save them the mat pay and redundancy.

Romanoff · 09/07/2021 23:33

Its the enhanced element they can pursue for for not the Sat Mat pay.

If paying it back is going to be a struggle I would go back for 6 months.

Even if every person here tells you there employer didn't chase them for it, it all depends on your employer.

Heyha · 09/07/2021 23:41

I wouldn't risk having to pay it back. I'd go back for the six months, jobseek within the right timeframe for my notice period, and maybe even hope for a little redundancy payment to help me on my way.

Original poster

Jadefeather7 · 09/07/2021 23:43

Yes makes sense to stay put although it is very depressing being in a team that’s failing and not knowing what’s around the corner.

OP posts:

FaceyRomford · 10/07/2021 00:09

I'd stay. You'll certainly save the cost of the payback and might even get a redundancy settlement.

Original poster

Jadefeather7 · 10/07/2021 00:21

Yeah that’s true I would be entitled to around 2 months pay under statutory redundancy rules plus 1 month notice period so not too bad. I keep worrying that being redundant will make me unattractive in the job market but DH is trying to tell me that’s not true. Financially makes sense to stay put for now, just not great in terms of how I’m feeling but I guess I should focus on the pay check for now

OP posts:

Pinkchocolate · 10/07/2021 00:22

Work out exactly how long you need to go back for to avoid paying it back and do that. Knowing you’re only there short term will make it easier. I worked a 40 hour week and think I had to go back for five months, I didn’t work a day over.

AdriannaP · 10/07/2021 00:25

I would definitely go back. I have never heard of an employer who doesn’t enforce it. You will have about 6 months then to find another job and it’s easier to find a job from a job. Plus of course potential redundancy pay. I have been made redundant before and I think you are worrying needlessly. It won’t make you unattractive for the job market.

BungleandGeorge · 10/07/2021 00:30

You could reduce the 6 months by taking all your accrued holiday and the maximum unpaid parental leave before you go?

Original poster

Jadefeather7 · 10/07/2021 00:36

Thanks. Any advice on whether I could start looking for a job after 3/4 months in or wait out the whole period before starting to apply? I imagine the process can take a while and some people have longer notice periods so companies might be willing to wait a bit? My notice period is 1 month. I have no clue how long job searches tend to take and what’s reasonable in terms of offer to start date as I’ve been in the same job for ages.

OP posts:

FlyingBattie · 10/07/2021 00:52

Depending on your job, some HR places take forever so I'd start looking around 4 months.
It took 4 months for my last HR to give me a start date, and that was with me nagging them to chase things like references up!

TheHateIsNotGood · 10/07/2021 01:05

I'm still waiting for the day when female equality is fully embedded and that day is yet to arrive and I'm 59.

These hard fought for maternity rights become constantly eroded by young women determined to eke every last penny from any system that those of us with no maternity rights fought for.

Yes, you have a point and some legal rights right now - but don't tip the applecart just yet as there's still a long way to go

Shelddd · 10/07/2021 03:29

Go back. Don't lose out on that money. You need to just emotionally distance yourself from your job when you get back. Just look at it as task oriented completely and just get done what you need to do. I know that's easier said than done.

HopeValley · 10/07/2021 04:54

Contrary to other posters, I know 2 people (same organisation) who didn't have to pay theirs back.

Cloudninenine · 10/07/2021 05:28

If you can’t afford to pay it back then you can’t take the risk of leaving in case they do enforce it.

It depends what your job is, but many jobs have a 3 month notice period, so you could start looking for new jobs within a couple of months of your return. Hopefully that will make it more bearable in the meantime.

strawberrydonuts · 10/07/2021 05:36

@Jadefeather7

1) Work your agreed period after maternity - they will enforce it and it's just not worth the stress.

Start looking for a job 3-4 months before you want to start. Any longer than this is too long of a notice period and most companies will want you to start sooner.

strawberrydonuts · 10/07/2021 05:39

@TheHateIsNotGood

I'm still waiting for the day when female equality is fully embedded and that day is yet to arrive and I'm 59.

These hard fought for maternity rights become constantly eroded by young women determined to eke every last penny from any system that those of us with no maternity rights fought for.

Yes, you have a point and some legal rights right now - but don't tip the applecart just yet as there's still a long way to go

Yes exactly.

Also it just seems a bit off for the company to pay you throughout your maternity and then you not hold up your end of the bargain.

In the past we had no maternity rights at all, and many countries still don't.

Original poster

Jadefeather7 · 10/07/2021 06:26

In ordinary circumstances where I would have had job security it’s not something I would have ever considered. I do understand why they have these clauses and I’m a very loyal employee (been at the same place for over a decade). The complicating factor is really working in an environment where you’re just waiting to get a call about redundancy- it’s pretty stressful. If it wasn’t for the fact that I’d had a child I would have left by now like most of my colleagues who have seen the writing on the wall or at least be seriously looking at exit options. Roles at my level don’t come up as often as junior or very senior roles so that’s another thing that worries me a little. One of my colleagues who was at my level started looking for jobs over a year ago and has only just left last week. I do appreciate the maternity rights I have but I also have a mortgage and bills to pay.

OP posts:

Englishgirl9 · 10/07/2021 06:58

I'd stay looking for jobs when you are about 4 months into your 6. I have just done the same thing and it worked out that I was back at work for the mandatory 3 months + an extra 5 days before I left.

Whoopsies · 10/07/2021 07:21

Is there anyone you can put the feelers out with? I knew I didn't want to return to work after my first so I saved all the mat pay ready to pay it back. When I told them the lovely hr lady arranged for me to be made redundant, they were literally about to offer it out generally anyway and they paid my redundancy and let me keep the mat pay!!

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