Not going back after maternity leave

[spookysoul]

Due to go on mat leave for the second time in may/June next year. I don’t think I’ll go back to work once DC2 is born- the salary is not worth putting 2 children into nursery.
I get basic SMP so I wouldn’t have to pay it back. Am I right in thinking it’s ok for me to go on mat leave and then tell them I’m not coming back near the end of mat leave (obv I’ll give the 8 weeks notice). Feel a bit bad going on mat leave knowing I’m going to quit my job at the end, but then I remember that the company claims SMP back off the government anyway so it’s not like I’m robbing them of any money. And I’d give them notice so yeah it’s a bit shit for my manager that he’ll have to find and train someone new but it’s not really my problem and I’m entitled to leave my job if I want.
Guess I just want reassurance that it’s ok and not shady of me!

Seems a bit shitty to me as if they know from the start you're not coming back then they can hire someone permanent from the beginning rather than having to pay for two lots of advertising. Obviously well within your rights to do it and I can understand not wanting to quit incase the situation changes.

Don’t feel bad, I assume they’d cover you for maternity leave anyway? So they’d more than likely just keep that person on. Don’t quit before you go on maternity, anything could change by the time you’re due to go back. Think of it as leaving your options open.

Perfectly acceptable.

Totally fine. I would say though, if your job offers unpaid career breaks would you consider that? Mine does five year ones so just right for when the kids are in school and I’d be wanting a job again!!!

Don't tell them before the end of your mat leave:
a) you never know what might happen
b) you should get paid out for your holiday accrued when on mat leave

That's what I'm planning to do. My manager even said, if you plan not to come back, don't say until you need to give notice, so it's not shitty at all, ignore previous poster who said it is. You are entitled to do that just as my own manager says and is encouraging me to do!

Thank you everyone, even the person who thinks it’s a shitty thing to do.
I wasn’t sure if I told them before mat leave that I wasn’t coming back, they’d refuse to pay me? Or is that not right? And also the accrued holiday thing, not knowing what might happen etc.
I’ve worked really fucking hard for this company and they pay me peanuts as it is so i’d rather get as much out of the situation as I legally can!

No they don’t do a career break thing, and if they did I don’t think I’d go back anyway even years down the line.

Do not feel bad. You are protecting yourself and your job until you can make a final decision nearer the time. Very sensible and common place and definitely not shitty.

I didn't go back to my job after our first son, I was furloughed two months before maternity leave and then had 9 months off paid. I really did not like the job or company!

After my maternity leave I started a new job and currently pregnant with baby two. I'm not sure what I will do after maternity leave...

Don't feel bad for looking out for yourself x

If you left instead of going on mat leave you'd get all your SMP but not accrue any holiday.

Circumstances change, hand in your notice towards the end of mat leave if it's still your intention. That way you will accrue holiday during mat leave and it can be paid at the end.

Thanks for all the advice :)