Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take another year off work?

307 replies

Animallover87 · 19/01/2024 09:48

I'm currently half way through mat leave with my first (and only) baby.

I've been offered the opportunity to take another (unpaid) year from my company. It won't in any way affect my job prospects afterwards and I would slot back into the same job.

My DH is happy for me to do this and can cover all the bills on his salary but there isn't much left to spare afterwards so we'd need to tighten our belts but it's definitely doable.

I would rather look after my baby myself for another year than send him to childcare (no family support)

Would you do it?

OP posts:
Hocuspocusnonsense · 19/01/2024 10:33

I would take the year.

They’re not little for long

I took 5 years off from a career I loved. I hadn’t planned to. Initially I was made redundant and combined with no family support at all for childcare and 3 children to put in nursery, my nursery fees were more than my income. I don’t regret it at all.

Enjoy this time, it does go quickly.

ClydeBank · 19/01/2024 10:42

Do it. U never get that time back. Have fun and adventures.

if it’s not working out see if you can go back to work early or do supply. But chances are you will be having a blast with your baby/toddler by then.

Wrigglypiggly · 19/01/2024 10:46

I would. I'm 9 months into mat leave with my last baby. I go back in may, and I already feel sad about it. They are never this little again, and you will never get the opportunity to spend so much time with your child again. If you can do it financially and your job will be there for you (and it's something you want to do!) and you have enough adult interaction to keep you sane when toddlerhood gets hard, 100% take the chance!

Skyblue92 · 19/01/2024 10:57

Are you 100% sure OP that you have a job to go back to. Have you got this in writing. In a teacher and I’ve never known a school offer this even unpaid. I’d be worried that a restructuring is taking place due to low numbers for the following year and therefore my job was at risk with redundancy. You wouldn’t have the same protections as you do while on maternity leave

Lavender14 · 19/01/2024 11:00

I'd want it in writing that your job is secure for you to return to and I'd probably take on a bit of tutoring as and when for some additional income but yes I'd absolutely do it! Don't get me wrong, it's nice being back to work and ds is loving nursery and has settled really well, but I'd have loved another year off with him.

I would just try to look at it in the context of your goals, are you planning another pregnancy or house move etc soon that you'll want to be rebuilding savings etc for? If not then why not!

Bogfrog · 19/01/2024 11:00

100%. Your baby will soon be grown and treasure this time. (I’m on my 12th year off!)

SouthLondonMum22 · 19/01/2024 11:05

Would I do it? No. I went back to work when DS was 3 months old by choice, I had no interest in a long maternity leave.

You clearly do, it won't affect your career prospects and your husband is happy to fund it so sounds like a no brainer in your case.

Though, I would ask for it in writing that your job is protected.

Sofabum · 19/01/2024 11:06

I'd be suspicious of why you're being offered this. And what happens if the temp teacher is well received and wants to stay on?

Personally I value my independence too much and would prefer to be working at least part time.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/01/2024 11:14

Animallover87 · 19/01/2024 09:53

@Vistada Do you have the "won't affect job prospects/slot back into same job" in writing?

Yep I'm a teacher so would still be employed with my local authority and they would get a temp teacher to fill in for the year.

In these circumstances I would as long as I could afford it.

Original poster
Animallover87 · 19/01/2024 11:19

The reason it was suggested is that its easier to cover me full time for another year than to allow me to go part time which is what I would want if I'm returning.

Doesn't matter if the cover teacher is well received, it's my job and I can have it back any time I want.

OP posts:
Munchyseeds2 · 19/01/2024 11:23

I would do it - you never get that time back ..

IgnoranceNotOk · 19/01/2024 11:23

Animallover87 · 19/01/2024 11:19

The reason it was suggested is that its easier to cover me full time for another year than to allow me to go part time which is what I would want if I'm returning.

Doesn't matter if the cover teacher is well received, it's my job and I can have it back any time I want.

I am a teacher, part time after my children. I would push for part time instead of taking the year off - it would feel much more secure.
I can’t imagine working full time with a toddler and although I know some teachers do it must be so, so hard!
Maybe your school’s workload is better or work life balance prioritised but I just think you might have more sway changing to part time straight from maternity.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 19/01/2024 11:24

If you want to and can afford it then do.

Skyblue92 · 19/01/2024 11:24

Animallover87 · 19/01/2024 11:19

The reason it was suggested is that its easier to cover me full time for another year than to allow me to go part time which is what I would want if I'm returning.

Doesn't matter if the cover teacher is well received, it's my job and I can have it back any time I want.

But what after that. If they say it’s cheaper to cover full time instead of part time it will be the same argument the following year. Will they offer it again?
If you have it in writing then that’s fine but you need to make sure that’s the case

2mummies1baby · 19/01/2024 11:27

I would absolutely do it, but maybe do some tutoring at weekends/in the evening.

SuperBored · 19/01/2024 11:29

If it's important to you and you want to do it, go for it! I always like to believe that teachers are teachers because they enjoy watching and supporting people grow mentally and explore things, what better way to do that, than with your own child.

averythinline · 19/01/2024 11:29

If you're in an area with lots of schools that struggle to recruit so will be easy to to get a new job anyway then it may still be worth doing but lots of schools will be shrinking due dropping roles over next few years.....
You can top up your pension once your back so factor that in plus an amount for contribution..

Mariposistaaa · 19/01/2024 11:35

And then what of you want another child? Another 2 years off?
Lose your skills, lots of money, pension contributions…

Namechangedagain20 · 19/01/2024 11:54

I would 100% do it if you can afford to. After my first 2 I went back to work when they were 1 (a mix of part and full time). After my 3rd (and last) I’ve had an extra year off and I have loved having the extra time with him.

Especially as you say this is your only, if you know you aren’t having any more DC and no more mat leaves then it’s not as if your pension/careers going to take further hits after this.

Nineteendays · 19/01/2024 12:02

Animallover87 · 19/01/2024 11:19

The reason it was suggested is that its easier to cover me full time for another year than to allow me to go part time which is what I would want if I'm returning.

Doesn't matter if the cover teacher is well received, it's my job and I can have it back any time I want.

Just make sure you get it in writing. You won’t have the same protection you have on Mat leave. It doesn’t matter if it’s your job, if you’re not there for 2 years and they don’t put it in writing, you might find getting it back harder than you thought.

I would definitely choose to stay home with my baby but I would want it in writing that I definitely had my job to go back to.

gerteddy · 19/01/2024 12:29

If u can afford it, do it! They are so precious and little and you will never get that time again. I'd say about 2 is a gd age to start nursery too. I went bk part time but I hated leaving my baby 3 days a week. Both of mine started around 10 months at nursery.

By time she was about 2 to 2 1/2 she had gotten over the worst of being ill and picking up every bug or infection going. I cld also see that she got lots out of nursery too and seemed to enjoy it. When they are babies I don't think they get a lot from nursery and it's long days.

I imagine you'll be ready to go bk to work after an extra year too. Good luck with it all.

Carsarelife · 19/01/2024 12:29

Oh I would definitely do it, you won't look back and regret it.

Blueberry911 · 19/01/2024 12:37

Animallover87 · 19/01/2024 11:19

The reason it was suggested is that its easier to cover me full time for another year than to allow me to go part time which is what I would want if I'm returning.

Doesn't matter if the cover teacher is well received, it's my job and I can have it back any time I want.

I would think carefully about the last bit of what you'd said here.

You don't have the same protection if it's not on maternity leave. I'd probably get some external advice, maybe from ACAS to start with? about this.

Beryls · 19/01/2024 12:48

The reason they've done this is because it's cheaper, they'll get a supply on a lower rate than you and don't have to pay into your pension for a year.

Be very careful OP, I find this 'offer' from a school unusual, I'd definitely seek some advice from the union perhaps first.

Jellycatspyjamas · 19/01/2024 13:07

How do they plan to structure the additional time off? Are they offering a sabbatical or career break and what are the terms eg if you need to go back before the year is up what will happen, how will it impact your registration etc. I’d want clear commitments in writing including how this additional time off fits within the employment structure. I can’t imagine any employer saying take a year off without having a framework to manage it. You’re in danger of relying on their goodwill without a clear sense of what happens to your employment.