Maternity leave question

[enbh]

Wonder if anyone can help, or point me in the right direction!

I'm currently on maternity leave employed by one firm. Have just accepted a job with another firm starting in October which is before my mat leave is due to end but as it's much better job I'm fine with that.

When do I hand my notice in to original firm and how does the holiday entitlement affect things? Don't want or leave them in the lurch but don't want to jeopardize new job!

Thanks!

You can hand your notice in anytime, prob sooner rather than later if you have accepted new job due to them seeking references. You still accrue holiday entitlement whilst on mat leave so you may be able to take that as part of your notice or they may give you this money.

However, just be careful, my last job there was a condition that I would have to return to work for 3 months or else pay back my maternity entitlement (not the stat maternity pay, you don't have to pay that back). Hopefully you don't have any stipulations like that!

Thanks so much! I'm not sure if I have any of those type of stipulations, would it be in my contract?

It would be in the maternity/parental leave policy. Maybe ask HR for a copy. They explained it to me at my maternity interview and I had to sign a document though!

Thanks so much for your help!

I did exactly the same thing. Gave my employers lost notice than necessary as it meant references could be processed faster. I cut my mat leave short and took the last few weeks as holiday due to accrued allowance. Nice to be paid properly for the final few weeks!

More notice than necessary*

@cresentmooned what is a maternity interview? Wasn't the policy already published and available? Surely they couldn't introduce this stipulation after you had announced your pregnancy ( I understand it's a common clause)