Going back to work after 5 months maternity

[user1494354940]

Hello. I'm looking for some advice please. I am due to go on maternity at the end of the year. The place I work for normally have 6 months full pay and the rest smp. I missed this entitlement by 4 weeks and therefore will have 6 weeks 90% pay and the rest smp.

This is fine with me but my savings will only allow me to stretch to 5 months and then I have to go back to work no matter what as we cannot afford to live on smp with our bills etc.

I'm just really worried as I have anxiety and depression anyhow. How do I know for certain I will be ready and that my anxiety won't go through the roof going back after 5 months. I'm really worried I won't be ready but forced to return to work. I don't want to go back when I am not ready and then lose respect and trust of my peers because I will be a mess. The whole thing keeps me up worrying. I'm not saying this will happen but what if it does? Anyone else been in my shoes?

Hi user,

It's really difficult to predict how you will feel at 5 months, I know people who would not have wanted to return to work after 5 months mat leave, but I also know people who were desperate to return to work ASAP and went back around the 5months mark.

one positive is that if you are receiving smp then you aren't obligated to return to work or face paying anything back, that gives you some flexibility if anything in your plans/situation changes. I found a new job on mat leave which although it meant returning to work earlier than I wanted (DD was 9months), it was better pay and better working hours for our family so it felt like the right decision. To be honest, I was sleep deprived and it was hard, but you get through it and those difficult times don't last forever. I probably didn't make a great impression on my new colleagues to start with, but people are very understanding and even if you aren't managing well at first, you will return to normal functioning and (normal) people won't hold it against you!!!

Sounds like you are in a really tough position, it's really good to plan for all outcomes but don't drive yourself mad with worry.