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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Mat leave - playing the system?

57 replies

TheSleeperandTheSpindle · 21/04/2017 11:16

I'm a FT teacher who is currently on maternity leave. My leave started in Oct and so I wasn't given a class this year (primary teacher) so my going back to work date doesn't really matter as my cover is employed until the end of the year. I'm also going back part time in Sept thanks to my DH's promotion which is due to start around Aug/Sept time.

I initially thought I'd need to go back around May however I have since applied for tax credits (I didn't know you could get them on mat leave - thanks MN! Grin) and it turns out we can now afford for me to stay off until my SMP runs out.

My SMP runs out on 10th July. Would it be cheeky to go back full time from this date, work full time for the two weeks left of term and then get full pay over the summer? I could then start my part time contract in September, effectively giving me 11 months off. My MIL and DM will be covering my 3 days from Sept and have both said they are happy to cover the two weeks or so full time so childcare will not be a worry.

Will this be really frowned upon or is it the done thing? When I told my Head I was pregnant she did mention giving the first day of the holidays as my back to work date, if I was taking that long, in order to get paid over the summer but somehow this seems more obvious Blush

OP posts:
Decorhate · 21/04/2017 17:30

If the school have expected you to do that and budgeted accordingly then there are no problems - what will you be doing if your class is already covered? (As a parent I was a bit cheesed off when a Reception teacher came back in the second half of the summer term & took back her class. Unfair on the kids I felt)

caroldecker · 21/04/2017 17:37

And people wonder why schools have no money

fruityb · 21/04/2017 17:48

Are teachers not allowed maternity leave caroldecker? School is doing fine without me - it costs them less actually as I'm ups2.

Thirtyrock39 · 21/04/2017 17:51

You've earned your maternity pay based on what you worked before you went on leave so unless you weren't going back at all it's irrelevant what you do when you go back to work.

Original poster
TheSleeperandTheSpindle · 21/04/2017 20:04

Decorhate I'd probably be used for cover and releasing other teachers from their classrooms, saving the school money caroldecker rather than paying supply fees, allowing them to meet with nurseries about some of our new reception children, or transition time for our year 2s. My class role is covered until the end of the year specifically so there isn't any disruption for the children Smile

I'm also ups2, so it costs less having me covered than having me there!

OP posts:
ApplePizza · 21/04/2017 20:30

Believe me the school will be doing everything it can to avoid paying anything they don't have to to the teacher!

caroldecker · 22/04/2017 01:32

So going full time in the last 2 weeks of term to get full time pay over the holidays then going part time/going back in summer term to get pay over the holidays is fine. So why did the OP ask if it was the done thing and wonder if it was 'obvious'.
No probs with maternity pay, but gaming the system to maximize pay and minimize work is unethical. Even if everyone does it, it is unethical.
I am concerned that such people are meant to be role models for children.
Teachers are also, generally, one of the most vocal critics of tax avoiders and low tax rates - but it appears to be so they can line their own pockets.

HandbagCrab · 22/04/2017 05:08

Carol the op has already accrued that holiday through her current maternity leave at full time, just like every other woman in the country accrues holiday on maternity leave. With teaching as you know you cannot take holidays when you please so you have to come back before a holiday to get it or you lose your holidays you have accrued like everyone else. It is more unethical that teachers lose out compared to everyone else who works imho.

HandbagCrab · 22/04/2017 05:11

Oh and in my la the non teachers get the same mat pay and in addition accrue holiday and bank holidays so there is no extra money paid that acknowledges teachers do not get the same entitlement as everyone else.

badhotfanny · 22/04/2017 05:43

Good posts handbag.

I did this too, except I had august babies so lost my holiday. Do you think that's fair, carol?

AngelaKardashian · 22/04/2017 06:17

Everyone I know has done this. I didn't even have to think twice!

RememberToSmile1980 · 22/04/2017 06:23

Hi
With my first DS he was due on the first day of the summer holidays! I essentially started my mat leave at the end of July. Luckily I went to back then following July for about two weeks and then full time in the September as I am HOF. This time baby is due end of October - so I will hopefully leave in early October and still go back in July to get paid over summer. I agree with what you are suggesting and as your HT is onboard there are no problems. Best of luck with the new arrival!

Original poster
TheSleeperandTheSpindle · 22/04/2017 07:15

I am concerned that such people are meant to be role models for children

FFS, are you regularly terrified when leaving the house? Concerned over someone taking their entitled holiday pay, oooh heavens above, I need to sit down.

Do you know why I asked the question? Because as teachers (and as women) we are expected to work our bollocks to the ground "for the kids" and are not supposed to mention getting a decent wage or conditions for this. We're supposed to be at the beck and call of parents and used as a whipping boy for the general public. This then makes you question things you are actually entitled to, such as holiday, which every other sector gets. But then you're probably one of those who thinks we rock up at 9am and leave at 3pm and then we stick two fingers up at eveyone during our 13 weeks 'holiday.'

but it appears to be so they can line their own pockets

This is hilarious considering the amount of my own money I spend on my classroom and pupils, simple things just in order to teach properly. Yeah, us teachers are all in it for the money.....

Now if you have so much time on your hands that you come onto the staffroom section just to be intentionally goady may I suggest a hobby?

OP posts:
LemonRedwood · 22/04/2017 07:21
RememberToSmile1980 · 22/04/2017 07:23

Excellent reply Sleeper! What a twatty response from the PP - you are spot on Sleeper! Ignore the morons

Phantommagic · 22/04/2017 07:26

From a practical point of view it is also useful to have a couple of weeks back in which you can get back into the swing of things, do planning for the next year, get up to speed with changes and ready to hit the ground running in September.

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 22/04/2017 07:38

I've done similar with maternity leaves and felt a bit cheeky. Everyone does it though. And like phantom says, you're better getting your head round stuff in July so you're ready to go in September. I also spent chunks of my summer holidays after mat leave working anyway in readiness for a new class/term etc so was glad I was being paid my salary. No doubt you'll work the summer too.

Original poster
TheSleeperandTheSpindle · 22/04/2017 07:43

Thank you Lemon and Remember The outburst was courtesy of sleep deprivation and PMT, another reason I shouldn't be allowed near children Wink

Exactly Phantom and Two, it will also give me time to meet with my new job share (eek, never jobshared before and this gives me a funny belly!) and it looks likely I'll be moving to a new year group so will need to get to grips with the planning etc Smile

OP posts:
CrowyMcCrowFace · 22/04/2017 07:45

Of course you do.

I had one August baby & got nobbled. Dc 2&3 were better timed!

Makes no odds to the school's finances as clearly explained caroldecker.

Teachers just feel the need to check as we're conditioned to be martyrs - 'may I please have the money I've worked for?' 'oh how selfish. Don't you ever think of the chiiiildren?!!! '

HandbagCrab · 22/04/2017 07:45

Stop it! Fgs teachers can have paid holiday attached to mat leave just like everyone else! We don't have to justify it by working in it etc. It's a job :)

CrowyMcCrowFace · 22/04/2017 07:48

Quite!

CaptainBrickbeard · 22/04/2017 07:50

Schools have no money because of Tory underfunding, not because teachers take the maternity leave to which they are entitled just like everyone else.

CarrieBlue · 22/04/2017 15:27

You don't even have to go back on July before the holidays - the first day back can be the first day of holiday in July and you still get paid through the rest of the month and for August.

Shockedwife · 22/04/2017 21:30

I'm so confused... I've agreed to go back part time and will work that contract for the the last week of the summer term so I'm paid part time over the summer holidays. It would be soooo cheeky of me (I thought) to start part time in September and claim full time over the holidays. Now I feel I've lost loads of money I could've had :(

ApplePizza · 23/04/2017 00:11

Noooo!

I came back full time (first day of summer holiday) and went part time in September. Speak to union if needs be. As usual, they don't want to pay you if they can get away with it!