AIBU to take another year off work?

[Animallover87]

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?

Is there a way to maintain your links, keep up with any training, maybe do some supply days? I think I would want to do something to keep engaged with the work environment.

Do it! If you get your job back & can afford it, what a lovely thing to do

Yes. I always think it’s a shame that mat leave ends just as the kids start to get more interesting (walking, first words, more personality etc!)

Absolute no brainer. If you have it in writing that you still have your job to back to and you can afford to be off for another year, I would definitely do it.

Do it. You can always make more money. You can never make more time

I'm doing this currently.

Do it. I didn't like the baby stage, but omg my toddler is adorable now and I feel so lucky to be spending my whole time with him.

He's changing every day and I'll never get this time back; I'm absorbing every minute of these days.

The second year of mat leave is so much more fun than the first year (baby stage).

We actually have adventures now, he's getting a little personality and it's adorable to watch. I look at him and think 'how could you be at daycare full time and me missing all these moments'..?

I did. Best decision I ever made. If it’s what you want then it will be a huge positive for you both. You won’t get that time back.

Do it! You are financially secure and have options to make up some cash ad hoc over the year.

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.

It might be worth thinking about what you want when you go back and whether you are more likely to get it straight after maternity leave. E.g. you might prefer to go back part time and stay part time until they start school so you get a day or two off a week until they are 4 (and a bit). If you take another year now, would it then mean going back full time afterwards? Sending DC to nursery 5 days a week when they have previously been with you the whole time? Or is going back part time not an option even if you go back straight after maternity leave - if so are there other schools nearby where you could get a part time job?

Do it but get it in writing, as others say once it's not Mat Leave you have fewer protections.

Are you planning to go back part time after the extra year?

I'd like to go part time until he starts school at least. TBH I'd like to to 3 days a week even whilst he's at school to make life easier.

It's a no brainer for me and yes I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I was a SAHM til both mine went to school.

It's an interesting idea, and I wonder whether it could catch on: an extra year of unpaid maternity leave. It could work well for both parties; that first year of childcare is the most expensive, so people are often return for very little financial benefit.

However, as others have said, it doesn't have maternity leave protections:

• Are they absolutely guaranteeing your job back?
• Will going back full-time be a condition when you return?
• What happens about the enhanced maternity pay; will they guarantee you keep that, or do you have to work 13 weeks on return?
• What happens if you have a second maternity leave following straight on, or due to begin shortly after return?
• You wouldn't be employed eg for the purposes of pension - when on maternity leave, you only pay contributions on what you're earning, but your employer continues their contributions and you accrue years. If you're not employed, nothing goes in, and you're not eligible for "in-service" benefits.
• Are any agreements going to be written into your contract so that if your school joins an academy chain, your agreement is protected?

I would run it all past your union.

I believe one European country (Germany?) does/did have two years maternity leave for teachers. Newly-qualified teachers are/were employed by the region and are deployed to plug the gaps.

I'd do it hands down, as long as you're happy and enjoying Mat leave. You'll never regret staying home but in years to come you may regret rushing back!

Do it!!!

Absolutely I would.

That's quite simplistic. Staying in work means you have more chance to progress and IME it's the most senior jobs that come with most flexibility. So yes you might 'lose' time now but 5 years down the line you could be kicking yourself because you're slogging away while your peers are more senior, getting more money and having more flexibility to be with their 6 year olds.

100% of course yes. I could not send my daughter off to childcare when maternity finished so I became a childminder and earned much more than I did before.

How would things pan out for you if you got pregnant in this extra year?

Go for it x

Not sure why you’re even questioning it. If you want to and you’re able to and DH is supportive what is stopping you?

It sounds a bit too good to be true. I reckon they're hoping you'll quit at some point during your extra year off.

Take it and enjoy the time with your baby

I did this and was told 6 weeks before I was due to return that actually my role was no longer available (nearly the whole team had been made redundant) that they weren't obligated to find me one and despite what I had been advised by my manager I wasn't entitled to redundancy.

It took months to resolve so please make sure everything is water tight.

That said having the extra time off is something I treasure, so if it really is safe and you can afford it, go for it.