Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To ask how honest I should be with my employer?

70 replies

anon1312 · 27/11/2023 09:24

I'm currently 25 weeks pregnant and my employer is wanting to know my plan for my maternity leave.

However, I already know that I'm not going to return after baby is born. I know people on here have different views on this, but I'm planning to be a SAHM for at least a couple of years. I already have one DC who has SEN and very high needs so it makes sense for us a family currently.

I don't want to be in a situation where I take maternity leave then have to pay it back. My company offers enhanced pay for the first couple of months, so in my contract it does say that I have to return to work for a minimum amount of time. I've also been told going part time isn't an option so it's not like I can return PT then hand my notice in.

What should I do? I don't want to mislead them, but then I also don't want to hand my notice in just yet. Need advice as I'm so stuck on the best way to approach this.

OP posts:

peskykiddds · 27/11/2023 15:09

Op UC will adjust. If in doubt call them and talk through. After having a baby you'll be put into the no need to look for work group for a certain amount of time after the birth anyway. I called UC when I was pregnant in a panic and they talked me through exactly what would happen, this could be very useful for you to do.

LIZS · 27/11/2023 15:10

They are not allowed to keep asking! Go on ml, put the enhanced pay aside and decide later on.

Original poster

anon1312 · 27/11/2023 15:13

For those saying keep the enhanced pay, what would I live on? Because in the eyes of DWP that would be me earning a full time wage and I'd get hardly any UC. I don't have savings equaling that amount to live off unfortunately

OP posts:

Moobootoyoutoo · 27/11/2023 15:14

I'd agree with not declaring right now, just Ben disciplined and set the enhanced money to one side, take the full year and you keep your options open, if you then don't return you just have the enhanced money set aside to repay.

This is certainly a time to let the system work for you

Original poster

anon1312 · 27/11/2023 15:18

Keeping the enhanced pay wouldn't be an option

OP posts:

WonderingAboutBabies · 27/11/2023 15:19

You can ask your employer to calculate how much you'd get for the first 3 months, the second 3 months, the 3rd, and so on, and then split that up into twelve installments. That way you're still getting paid each month but it'd just be a bit less.

Iamblocked2 · 27/11/2023 15:19

sorry, should have read all the posts. Are you a lone parent then? Are you sure you can afford giving up work long term? I have a severely disabled child and always worked (only part time). maybe something to consider.

Original poster

anon1312 · 27/11/2023 15:21

@Iamblocked2 I am going to ask for part time first I think, I will ask them to take into consideration that I have disabled child to care for. Hopefully this will help build my case more, just depends if they say yes

OP posts:

Hatsforcats · 27/11/2023 15:22

Hi OP - have a read of the content that maternity action publicise; https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/money-for-parents-and-babies/

Also check out pregnantthenscrewed on Instagram/ web. They can offer support around understanding your legal rights and supporting employment challenge if employers have unfairly discriminated against staff based on pregnancy / family. This includes flexible working requests.

Whilst it may feel uncomfortable and messier being more vague about your plans now, legally you are so much better provided for than handing in notice before going on mat leave - national insurance / pension contributions etc.. My advice - Save the annual leave as much as you can, tag annual leave in a block onto end of mat leave giving notice 1st day back. Should only be several working weeks you would have to do in reality which for pay off of enhanced maternity pay and contributions, is financially very worthwhile.
Best of luck either way you decide

Money for parents and babies - Maternity Action

This page contains information on:Important benefits checklistChild BenefitUniversal CreditLegacy benefits and Tax creditsContributory benefitsBenefits if you are pregnant or have a new babyBest Start Grant and Best Start Foods – ScotlandBenefits durin...

https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/money-for-parents-and-babies

TooOldForThisNonsense · 27/11/2023 15:31

You can opt just to receive SMP so you can do that.

Either that or save the extra money so you could pay back if needed

SparklyLeprechaun · 27/11/2023 15:36

Whatever you do, don't resign before maternity leave. Tell them you'll decide closer to the end of the mat leave. Ask if it's possible not to receive the enhanced pay - because if you do get it, your UC will be lower, and at the end you'll have to pay it back anyway, so you'll be losing out.

sparkysdream · 27/11/2023 15:44

My employer gave the option not to take the enhanced pay if you were unsure on whether you would return. They would have paid it afterwards if you did return. I had intended to return, so took the enhanced mat pay, then we ended up moving area for my husband’s new job, and I decided to take the hit and quit without working the three months to keep it. As it turned out as I had a whole year of annual leave to be paid for I had nothing to pay back.

Sconehenge · 27/11/2023 15:47

@anon1312 it doesn’t sound like you can afford to not work at all, if you need UC to scrape by. It sounds like you’d be putting yourself in a very financially vulnerable position. Part time would surely be a better option for you?

Original poster

anon1312 · 27/11/2023 15:49

After considering it, I think I am going to ask for part time when I return. I think that's sensible as it doesn't leave me in such a vulnerable position, it all depends whether or not they say yes though. It will then give me a perfect balance between time at home with DC and work.

I'll probably ask as well for enhanced pay not to be paid straight away, just in case..

OP posts:

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 27/11/2023 15:58

anon1312 · 27/11/2023 09:28

@Chalkdowns I'm wondering how long I can keep saying that though before they need a definitive answer. I suppose I could hold off until I actually want to hand my notice in

They do not need a definitive answer until 8 weeks before you plan to go back to work / end your maternity leave.

HelenaCh9 · 27/11/2023 16:06

The employer should not be pestering you. I hope you’re making a note of all conversations and keeping any relevant emails. This is just to be on the safe side (I’m not suggesting that they’d shaft you, and in fairness to them nothing in your messages implies that they would).

You probably need to work part time either there or elsewhere. Or your partner needs to find a better job (easier said than done, I know). Your money situation sounds precarious otherwise. This is not what you asked, but ….

PickledPurplePickle · 27/11/2023 16:22

Go on maternity leave as normal, tell them you are taking a year

You get SMP for the first 39 weeks. Then hand your notice in

You will have to pay some back, but they will owe you holiday for the time you have been off

Just keep the extra in the bank to pay them back if you choose not to return

DMC6274 · 27/11/2023 17:02

I'd tell them you plan to take the full year and take the enhanced pay.

After a year, you can ask to go back part time. If they say no it's highly unlikely they'd ask for the enhanced pay back, as they can't accommodate you.

Worst case scenario if they did insist you paid it back (which I really do highly doubt they would) you'd have 5 weeks holiday accrued to take off the 3 months anyway.

UC would be the same whether you stayed employed and were on statutory maternity pay or if you left and got maternity allowance instead. There is literally no situation where it would make more sense for you to resign before your maternity starts, definitely best to stay technically employed!

Original poster

anon1312 · 27/11/2023 18:00

Really grateful for all the advice here, thanks all

OP posts:

CantFindTheBeat · 27/11/2023 18:30

Might already have been said, but you accrue holiday leave whilst you're on maternity leave, OP.

If you resign before you take mat leave, then you'll lose out in that.

Flip

1 2 3