thinking of applying for a new job while on mat leave - i have some questions, can you help?

[maxpower]

I work in the NHS. I'm currently on mat leave and have been lucky enough to be able to take 12 months. My mat leave therefore ends on 18th December 2011. I've then got 9 bank holiday days to take and 23 days annual leave, so my first day back at work will be 17th Feb 2012.

However, I've seen a job at another hospital which I'm thinking of applying for. Interviews aren't 'til the end of Nov. If I was sucessful, I'd technically have to give 8 weeks notice. So that would mean I'd leave my current employer approx end of Jan.

Do you know what would happen to my a/l? Would I still be able to take it so I'd go back to work as planned on 17th Feb? Or would I lose them? Or would I be expected to start at end of Jan and get paid for the 'lost' a/l days in Feb?

TIA

The date your new employer would expect you to start is entirely up to them. If you don't want to start your new job until 17th February, ask them if that's ok.

If you leave employment after maternity leave without having taken all your annual leave, it should be paid to you in a lump. I'm assuming if the new job is also with the NHS that you will have continuous service and I've no idea whether there are any policies about carrying over leave from one job to another - you'd have to check that. But usually you'd get paid outstanding leave from the old employer.

yes new job is in NHS. thanks Flowery