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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder if I need to put maternity leave on my CV?

33 replies

Sofiegiraffe · 25/02/2022 10:08

Sorry not really an AIBU but I'm wondering how to present this on my CV.

Essentially, I started a job almost 2 years ago and have spent almost half of that time off on maternity leave. So when I am presenting my work history on my CV, I don't want to be be misleading and say I have 2 years experience working in this role as I don't really.

What is the usual etiquette for this? Should I explicitly mention maternity leave on my CV? Or would it be best to just explain any gaps in my skills / experience in interview if asked why I haven't progressed as far as they might have been expected in my role (not sure if they will ask this of course... just anticipating what might come up).

Sorry if this is a silly question. It's been a good few years since I needed to do a CV and I've never had any gaps in my work experience so I'm not sure how to frame it.

Thanks for any thoughts.

OP posts:

NoiceToight · 25/02/2022 10:18

You're still employed by them when on maternity leave, so I wouldn't think twice about mentioning mat leave on the CV. You can talk about that at interview stage usually.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 25/02/2022 10:21

I don’t think you need to mention it unless you’re completing a form that specifically asks about career gaps, eg if it’s something in a profession where you wojldnt be eligible to apply unless you have a minimum number of years actual experience.

Otherwise just put the dates and explain at a later stage if needs be

nearly4o · 25/02/2022 10:23

Do not put it on your Cv. I did 6 months in a role and was on Mat leave for 1 yr. my cv says 18mo that in role.

morechocolateneededtoday · 25/02/2022 10:23

Maternity leave is continuous employment so you don't mention it. As PP said, only need to explain gaps

negomi90 · 25/02/2022 10:23

You have 2 years work experience as officially you were working for them while on mat leave, they were employing you and paying for you.
Don't mention mat leave, you'll come across as precious.

VickyEadieofThigh · 25/02/2022 10:24

It's employment in that post that you're recording. There is no need (and I can see reasons why not) to put maternity leave on the CV.

NoSquirrels · 25/02/2022 10:26

Do not mention maternity leave.

Original poster

Sofiegiraffe · 25/02/2022 10:28

Thanks everyone.

I can totally see the argument for not putting it on as I am still classed as employed by them during that time.

What I'm concerned about is, after 2 years in my role, I'd have been expected to complete far more training and CPD than I have, and have more variation to my role. I have only the equivalent of 1 year (which will be apparent when I list my skills and experiences from my current post) - and that 1 year was complicated by Covid which affected my job role significantly to the extent that it essentially changed my key responsibilities so that they didn't really reflect what was in my job spec for quite a few months. So when you look at what I've actually done that is relevant to my post, there's far less than you'd expect.

I'm therefor wondering if a prospective employer would look at it and wonder why the hell I haven't achieved more than I have, in the time I was in post. If that makes any sense.

OP posts:

Original poster

Sofiegiraffe · 25/02/2022 10:29

*therefore

OP posts:

Original poster

Sofiegiraffe · 25/02/2022 10:42

Don't mention mat leave, you'll come across as precious.

I'm not sure how? I'd be wanting them to understand the gaps in my skills and experience, not showing them photos of my baby ....

OP posts:

Onelifeonly · 25/02/2022 10:51

Nothing wrong with being honest if it helps explain your lack in some areas. You can't make your experience seem more than it is at the same time as explaining why you haven't got as much as they might be expecting.

Chocomelon · 25/02/2022 10:53

I would explain it at interview

I agree not to mention it on your cv but don't agree you're getting "work experience" while on mat leave

Macarona · 25/02/2022 11:03

I get where you're coming from, OP. As others have said, no need to put it on your CV, just be prepared for the prospective employer to pick up on the discrepancy and ask about it at interview. In which case "I've been on maternity leave from x to x date" is a perfectly reasonable response. You could always supplement it by saying that you're really keen to get back to training and building up your skills now you're back in the workplace.

Tee20x · 25/02/2022 11:05

I wouldn't put it down. You are still considered in employment so have been at the company while on Mat leave. If they have concerns about why you haven't achieved x or done CPD they will ask, and then you can disclose you were on maternity leave and the role was disrupted by covid etc etc.

SarahAndQuack · 25/02/2022 11:09

I think this is very field-dependent. In my field you would definitely want to indicate why you had less experience than your employment length would lead interviewers to expect, so you'd absolutely mention it.

Is there someone senior in this sort of career that you can ask?

pitterpatterrain · 25/02/2022 11:12

I wouldn’t put it on my CV per se but I do have it as the final bullet point under one role on my LinkedIn “2x maternity leaves” as otherwise it does look like I stagnated in one role much longer than you would typically expect

xILikeJamx · 25/02/2022 11:20

Absolutely do not put it on your CV.

You can explain it at interview - if they ask.

Hospedia · 25/02/2022 11:21

Don't put it on your CV and don't mention it at interview. They should not be asking any questions at interview about your marital status, whether you have children (including "did you take maternity leave in yoir last job?" or words to that effect), they also cannot ask are planning a family/further children. If they did ask they'd be leaving themselves open to a discrimination claim under the Equality Act and it would also be a massive red flag that they wouldn't be a decent company to work for.

Hospedia · 25/02/2022 11:22

They cannot/should not ask at interview.

MischievousBiscuits · 25/02/2022 11:24

You only need to account for gaps, so as you were employed you're in no way obligated to put it on your CV. Personally I wouldn't mention it at all - maternity leave is protected so it's not an absence for work as such so your employer also shouldnt mention it on a reference request.

Echobelly · 25/02/2022 11:29

Nope, it's no one's business. When I got my current job I'd actually not worked for 18 months because I'd been on mat leave when role was put at risk and they had to leave open the possibility there might be another role for me until my mat leave ran out. Buy I basically acted in interviews and on CVs as though I'd been working the last 12 months there. It wasn't as though my absence would affect my ability to do any job, but it might be perceived that way if potential employers knew, sadly.

Boombastic22 · 25/02/2022 11:35

You’re overthinking this. Just a summary of skills is necessary on a CV, just make sure you’re applying for jobs you can do with the skills you do have. By mentioning maternity leave there’s also a risk of casual discrimination, much more like/worse than what you’re worried about.

Hospedia · 25/02/2022 11:35

Plus if you mention maternity leave then they know you have at least one child in which case they might question your commitment to the role. Are you going to want reduced hours? Flexi? Will you be willing to come in early/stay late or will you be strictly 9-5? Will you say no to travel or overtime? Are you going to be ringing up for the day off every time your childcare falls through or your kids is sick? And where there is one child there could potentially be future children. Then if your partner/husbsnd gets a promotion or the childcare gets too much will you maybe decide to be a SAHM. At this point they will "go with another candidate" and inform you that you were "unsuccessful this time".

I can guarantee no man ever mentions paternity leave or children in his CV or at his interview.

TheSnowyOwl · 25/02/2022 11:38

Unless you think it will stop you getting to an interview stage, don’t mention it. Many women have similar progression gaps because of maternity leave so it’s not unusual.

Momijin · 25/02/2022 11:39

As it has affected what level you would be at then it makes sense to explain why. Put maternity leave and the dates?

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