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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Job offer on maternity leave

14 replies

Jennithepink · 13/03/2025 23:26

I have an interview for a job and I am currently on maternity leave. I won’t be disclosing this at the interview stage however, if I were to be successful and offered the job, can the offer be retracted based on my maternity.? I recognise that it will be an inconvenience for the organisation as I won’t be able to start for 6-6 months, however I can’t go back to my old job due to the shifts and this would be a great move career wise. I want to be honest about it, but also not lose out on what could be a great job for me. I know with pregnancy it is advised to have these discussions with HR, and that you are protected. Is it the same for maternity?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sel2223 · 14/03/2025 00:20

No idea about the official side of this but it sounds terribly unethical to me and definitely not how I would want to start off in a new role

Original poster

Jennithepink · 14/03/2025 04:23

Do you mean unethical on my part or theirs? I have been advised not to disclose it during recruitment process in order to have a fair chance. I would of course rather be upfront but obviously this would then more than likely put me at a disadvantage.

OP posts:

BlondiePortz · 14/03/2025 04:29

I dont care what others would do I would tell them now I do what is right it not what I can get away with, and yes only what I would think and do

sel2223 · 14/03/2025 04:34

do you mean unethical on my part or theirs

Your part.

Thornybush · 14/03/2025 04:34

Could you start sooner , even part time? If not I don't think they would hold it open for you that long. Employers usually need someone right away.

Original poster

Jennithepink · 14/03/2025 04:41

It’s something I could discuss for sure. I just don’t have childcare available as soon due to thinking I had longer off and places being full in nursery until later in the year but it’s maybe with considering

OP posts:

Thisishard25 · 14/03/2025 04:51

I'm currently on maternity leave although almost 10 months in. I have done quite a few interviews over the last few months. Offered one of them & they are willing to wait until my Matleave is finished. I didn't mention it until the job offer came in though & obviously they can't turn you down as that would be discrimination. However they are only having to wait 2 months until I finish.. by the time they do paperwork & checks etc it would likely have been near 2 months anyway.

So I say - go for the interview and only tell them you are on maternity leave if you get offered the job. If you tell them beforehand well they are most likely going to turn you down right away and to me it would be pointless even putting yourself through the interview in that case. All the best with whatever you decide to do 🤞

FondantFancyFan · 14/03/2025 05:54

Employers usually adveirtise for a job they need to fill either immediately or within a reasonable time frame. That's because there's a need in the workforce that needs to be filled.

You starting 6 months later might cause resentment because you applied knowing you couldn't start immediately. Thereby deny others, particularly any internal candidates, the chance as they were in a more proceedable position than you are.

It's not because you're on maternity leave that's a problem, it's to do with you're not in a proceedable position to start in a reasonable time scale.

In my contact, I'm not allowed to leave within six months of returning from maternity leave. Otherwise I'd have to repay some of my maternity pay, what does your contract say?

Throwntothewolves · 14/03/2025 07:12

Why are you applying for jobs now if you can't start work for at least six months? I think you should decide whether you'd take the job if offered starting in a few weeks. If the answer is no, turn down the interview telling them why. Then start job hunting when you're in a position to return to work.

Another thing to consider is a flexible working application at your current workplace. My job is shifts, but there are several people who have flexible working modifications; late starts, earlier finishes, no nights, shorter hours etc. Arguably it doesn't work all the time, but that's managements issue to deal with. If you don't ask, you won't get.
Remember also that you're not your babies only parent, their father can asks for flexible working too

FondantFancyFan · 14/03/2025 12:27

For everyone applying for jobs whilst on maternity leave in order to leave as soon as you return.

Check your employment contract for any clauses which might prevent you from resigning within a certain time frame.

My contract does not allow me to leave within a 6 month period of returning from mat leave. If I do, I have to repay a percent of my maternity pay.

Check your contracts people!

sellotapechicken · 14/03/2025 14:12

What a waste of time for them

SecretCS · 14/03/2025 14:46

In the CS, we regularly have to wait 6months for people to start due to the vetting process. So it wouldn't bother me as a hiring manager, as I'd just get started on your vetting whilst you are on your mat leave and arrange for your start date to be agreed. What industry do you work in, OP?

twigsand · 14/03/2025 15:01

You could easily have a 3 month notice period depending on the level of job that you’re at. We ask about notice periods at interview so if you said your notice period was 4 weeks but then once offered the job you couldn’t start for 6 months then I would be fuming. If you don’t want to mention maternity id recommend expanding your notice period and seeing what they say

Viviennemary · 14/03/2025 15:06

Absolutely totally deceitful not to mention you are unable to start.

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