Applying for a job while on maternity leave

[yellowflowers]

Hi,

I have just started maternity leave (am 31 weeks so starting it early) and have just also seen in paper the ideal job for me to apply for - similar to my current job in terms of job description and salary but much nearer to home, and part time.

I was planning to take a year of maternity leave so to return to work next October, though would be prepared to return to work next June instead. Is it unheard of/ridiculous to apply for the new job even though I wouldn't be able to start until June? It's the kind of industry where 3 months notice would be common but not nine months.

Will post this in employment too to maximise chances of people seeing it.

x

Hi there,

I don't think it's weird at all. I am currently interviewing for a new job and I am about to start maternity leave in 2 1/2 weeks. I am basically saying I am flexible as to when I can start because I was only planning on taking 5-6 months off anyway.

I don't actually think I will get the job but I don't think the fact I am about to start maternity leave should stop me trying.

You have nothing to lose so why not put in an application!

Someone in our school just got appointed to a permanent position, even though she's currently on mat leave.

It does happen!

I would say go for it, you've nothing to loose. They may not appoint you but if you score highly they may remember you for the future.

I'm with slimyak and the others - even if they really need someone now, they may remember you for next year, when you're ready.

I'm starting mat leave next week and have told my employer I'm taking a year. I have no intention of coming back here though and will start hawking my CV around for speculative apps asap, but if I see an appropriate advertised job, I would probably apply for that too.

Nothing to lose.

thanks - may well apply in that case if only to put marker down for the future. Of course it means I'd have to pay some money back to my current employer though - I have to go back for 6 months if I am to keep the mat leave above smp that they are paying me.

Hi yellowflowers,

I'm chief exec of an organisation and I wouldn't be put off by an application from someone who's pregnant or on maternity leave (am pregnant myself too ) Legally an employer can't discriminate on such grounds anyway. My only concern would be if I needed someone to start quickly.

But its good to put that marker down and get known by an employer you really want to work for - for example, I'm currently recruiting two posts and have gone back to someone who came a close second when I recruited last year to ask her to apply because she was so good. And am really pleased that she's still interested in us

Good luck

Yellowflowers make sure you check your mat policy carefully. I was worried about paying money back too, but when I spoke to HR about it they said they have to offset the annual leave entitlement that I'll accrue whilst I'm off against the money I'd owe back. Their advice was basically that the longer I waited to hand in my notice, the more annual leave I would accrue (and that as I'm on a 3 month notice period, they would have to add this in too). With that in mind I purposefully saved up my leave whilst pregnant and now start mat leave with almost my entire last yearly entitlement in the bank.

I've worked out that if I hand in my notice in about 9 months, I shouldn't owe them anything. Of course, this is all dependent on how much they're paying whilst you're off. I'm only getting 16 weeks half pay, (ie 2 months full pay) which my owed and future accrued leave will comfortably cover.

Thanks Dancing Cat - good to know. I found out they need a January starter but they said to keep in touch because they always need people.

That's good advice Swazzee.