Handing in notice on mat leave?

[Nooneno1]

Curious, hate my job at the moment and i work 40 mins away, already have a toddler and i feel the strain with that. Im sure the extra 200 a month saving in fuel will help when i have 2! So i suggested to my partner today that instead of looking for a local job once im back, that i look for it while im off and therefore never actually go back. He suggested that i need to go back for 13 weeks regardless if its the same local authority (im a teacher) does anyone know, if you dont go back how much do you repay and would it count as continuation of services in same la? I did apply for a few jobs while pregnant and i knew that counted as continuation so surely its the same the other end?

If you don't go back and have accepted the 12 weeks at 50% pay, they ask you to pay that back.

Are you actually on mat leave? If you haven't accepted the 12 weeks at 50% pay yet, you can turn it down, meaning that you won't owe anything if you don't choose to return.

Has to be the same school I believe, rather than same LA.

Oh really? 😭 no not due til oct and planning on heading back may half term or just before and looking for a new job to start the sept after that. Will the holidays count as my 13 weeks return? So do a week, may half term 6 or 7 week half term then 6 weeks summer thats 13 even if it is holidays?

Hmm...not sure if the holidays count. I'd assume they do as we get paid for them. Is there any chance you could do without the 12 weeks at half pay? You can elect to have this as a lump sum when you return if you do decide to go back.

Slightly off topic but were you surprised at how dreadful the maternity pay is? I suppose I shouldn't moan as we're actually getting 'some' pay but sod me, I thought slogging my guys out for little reward would benefit me at some point!

Just checked and yes, holidays do count as part of the 13 weeks

Guts*

Yes so shocked at how quickly the pay goes down! My SIL is a nurse and was able to take 12 months off cos nhs is loads better!
Awww back to the original plan then for me!

What adds insult to injury is one of my friends taught in Canada, where they get a year of maternity leave at full pay. That stung a bit!

Tempted to move there now! Bet the kids are nicer too 🙈

Most likely! They seem very docile in this heat though, which is the only upside I can think of to feeling like I'm living in an oven.