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Original poster

Should I tell them?

21 replies

Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 18:50

I'm going for an interview on Friday, and I have been on maternity leave pretty much for the last 2.5 years (had two babies). I go back to work at the end of December, so I'm kind of struggling to even remember some of the work lingo lol

Should I tell them that I am due to return to work in December after going on maternity leave? Or keep my mouth shut?

OP posts:
Catza · 03/12/2024 18:56

You'll have to tell them as, presumably, you need to give notice to your current employer and also get some references.

TipsyKoala · 03/12/2024 19:06

No, no need to tell them

TeaInBed321 · 03/12/2024 19:09

I think it depends. Suss out the vibe. Personally as an interviewer my style is quite friendly and I'd be happy to hear this from you. However, my immediate boss is a bit more of a 'stern' type and wouldn't really want to hear this or find it professional (I know that sounds bonkers, but it's her style/views not mine) and it wouldn't go down well (she'd be thinking you'll be off on mat leave again too - not something she can legally consider but it would tarnish her view).

See what the vibe is and decide on the day...

HyggeTygge · 03/12/2024 19:09

Did you not have to put your current employer in your application form? Or do you mean you just put "Employer Co.Ltd - currently on mat leave" ?

Surely your notice period is the same whether or not you're on mat leave so I don't know why you think this is an issue - what have you agreed with your current employer?

KnickerlessParsons · 03/12/2024 19:10

What is it you're asking about? Are you asking if you should tell them you're currently on mat leave?

I can't think of why that would have any bearing on your ability to do the job you're applying for.

Or are you asking whether you should tell them that you're "kind of struggling to even remember some of the work lingo"?
If you want the job, I wouldn't tell them that. But would you actually be up to doing the job? Would you get through the probationary period if you're struggling that much?

Yellowpingu · 03/12/2024 19:51

Check your paid maternity leave clause in the company handbook. You may have to return to your workplace for a while if you don’t want to repay any company paid maternity leave, which may impact your start date if you’re successful

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 19:58

KnickerlessParsons · 03/12/2024 19:10

What is it you're asking about? Are you asking if you should tell them you're currently on mat leave?

I can't think of why that would have any bearing on your ability to do the job you're applying for.

Or are you asking whether you should tell them that you're "kind of struggling to even remember some of the work lingo"?
If you want the job, I wouldn't tell them that. But would you actually be up to doing the job? Would you get through the probationary period if you're struggling that much?

Being out of work for 2.5 years has made me forget some of the work, although I am sure I can get into it again easily.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 20:01

HyggeTygge · 03/12/2024 19:09

Did you not have to put your current employer in your application form? Or do you mean you just put "Employer Co.Ltd - currently on mat leave" ?

Surely your notice period is the same whether or not you're on mat leave so I don't know why you think this is an issue - what have you agreed with your current employer?

I didn't put that I was on maternity leave, I get the same rights as normal employees (i.e. those not on maternity leave) so there be no need to tell them I am on mat leave

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 20:01

Catza · 03/12/2024 18:56

You'll have to tell them as, presumably, you need to give notice to your current employer and also get some references.

But why would my employer tell them I was on maternity leave?

OP posts:
oustedbymymate · 03/12/2024 20:03

Did you take enhanced may pay as you may have to return to work for a set period of time or have to pay it back. M
Re the lingo no I would not tell them

Catza · 03/12/2024 20:04

Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 20:01

But why would my employer tell them I was on maternity leave?

Show quote history

Your question wasn't clear. I assumed it was relating to the sentence immediately preceding the question which was about returning to work at the end of December.

HyggeTygge · 03/12/2024 20:08

Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 20:01

I didn't put that I was on maternity leave, I get the same rights as normal employees (i.e. those not on maternity leave) so there be no need to tell them I am on mat leave

Show quote history

OK - it wasn't clear what you were asking. It looked a bit like you hadn't told them you were currently employed/expected to be working (and therefore would potentially have to work a notice period) - but you meant that you had said you were employed, but not that you'd been off.

In that case I wouldn't bring it up voluntarily, but I wouldn't lie either. Difficult one, potentially!

applestewing · 03/12/2024 20:33

Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 19:58

Being out of work for 2.5 years has made me forget some of the work, although I am sure I can get into it again easily.

Show quote history

But you haven’t been out of work, you are employed and just on maternity leave

I don’t really understand your question. Is this an internal interview?

DreamW3aver · 03/12/2024 20:40

Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 19:58

Being out of work for 2.5 years has made me forget some of the work, although I am sure I can get into it again easily.

Show quote history

What kind of work is it? If I was the interviewer I'd be pretty annoyed if you lead me to believe you could hit the ground running then it turned out you couldn't

It's hard to judge though without knowing what you do, are you a brain surgeon or a cleaner?

Original poster
Whatinthedoopla · 03/12/2024 21:16

I work in HR, there have been a few employment law changes, which I haven't been able to put into practice as I haven't been at work, I guess this is what makes me a bit nervous about returning to work

OP posts:
BecuaseIWantItThatWay · 03/12/2024 21:22

So no, I wouldn't tell anyone interviewer that I had been on any kind of mat leave during a role. I actually think it is irrelevant.

Suggest you get clued up on the latest legal changes you referenced and prepare for scenarios where the legislation might be implemented.

Good luck OP 👍

Arlanymor · 03/12/2024 21:29

I think you just need to be able to answer the question: "If you were to be offered this role, what is your notice period/how soon could you start?" Because my understanding is that you would have to return to your original workplace for a set period of time so as not to have repay some of your maternity pay money?

Nikitaspearlearring · 03/12/2024 21:32

Can you brush up on the lingo before you go to the interview? My profession has a couple of Facebook groups and I always learn things that keep me up to date on there.

HowYouSpellingThat10 · 03/12/2024 22:07

Is there a reason that you don't want to return to your existing employer?

Were you actively looking or has this opportunity just come your way?

I don't know it's the timing I'd be seeking to make the move. Have you had to juggle being a working mum if you took back to back leave?

It feels a lot to be taking (presumably) a step up at the same time as getting back into your profession. I was glad of a track record in those early few weeks of a child in nursery getting every bug going.

Two and a half years is a significant gap not to mention. Perhaps if you'd been doing your previous role for five years plus before this then not so much but if someone reported say three years experience and it turned out they'd been off for two and a half of them, I'll be honest it would sour my view of them..

Aligirlbear · 03/12/2024 22:23

An interviewer might ask anyway as they will quickly work out if you haven't been in the office as your examples to the questions in a structured interview will all be 2 - 2 1/2 years old. I would be asking for a recent example as well. If it's HR this might be more obvious due to changes in approach during this time.

I would give some thought as to how you are going to answer these

Bbqnights · 03/12/2024 22:30

I interviewed for a new job while I was on maternity leave. I was very careful not to mention it, just in case it was consciously or sub consciously used against me. I got the job and have been there 3 years now. I was worried about being rusty, but it was fine. All new jobs have a training period and it takes a bit of time to learn everything and get up to speed. No one will expect you to be perfect on day one.

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