Handing in my notice at the start of my maternity leave. What will happen to my SMP?

[AmeliaEarhart]

I'm starting my maternity leave in 2 weeks time (although my last day is next week as I'm taking my remaining annual leave). I was planning to take the full 52 weeks and will be receiving SMP only.

DH's work have decided that they want to send him to the US for 18-24 months to establish a satellite office there, and would want him (and me and the DCs) to move out there by the start of 2013. Obviously I'll have to quit my job as I can't expect them to hold the position for me for that long, but I'm wondering when it will be best to tell my employer.

I've worked there for a long time and I feel like I owe it to them to tell them asap that I won't be coming back. At the same time I really need my maternity pay! (Which I can still receive if I'm living overseas according to the directgov website).

Will telling them right at the start of my leave affect my SMP?

Personally, I wouldn't tell them. What if you all hate the US and want to come back? Keep your options open until you need to.

Hmm, don't think I could get away with leaving the country without them finding out! I'm expected to be contactable during and my maternity leave for a start.

I think that if we were back in the UK within 12 months they may well let me return, and they might even take me back after 2 years away (it's a small, family-run business and I've worked there for 12 years; I have a lot of specialised knowledge in my role, hence needing contact during mat leave) but obviously I can't that for granted.

I was considering taking a 'career break' after this maternity leave anyway (childcare for 2 under 3s in central London would be more than I can earn). My worries are more about being feeling duty-bound to be honest and upfront with my employers about my plans without jepordising my entitlement to maternity pay. If that's possible....

I resigned near the end of mine as we moved abroad. In your case I'd not resign but tell them you'll be abroad and you can still be contacted by email. IIR Smp lasts for 9mths? Resign after that if you are definitely staying in the US.

Don't resign. We moved countries when DS2 was 7 weeks old. Under the terms of my contract, I was entitled to 6 months maternity pay, so I took it.

I worked hard during my time with the company, so I could see no reason why I shouldn't take advantage of the perks that came along with that. In addition to that my NI contributions, private health insurance and annual leave continued to be paid during my maternity leave.

I did inform them that I was going overseas as a courtesy and ensured that they had my contact details.

I gave a months' notice at the end of my maternity leave and that was that.

I would have personally lost out on accruing holiday allowance through my maternity leave if I'd resigned at the start rather than the end. I also had a death in service benefit which expires at the end of notice period so I wanted to keep that as long as possible. If I'd had a better relationship with my manager I think I would have given them an unofficial heads-up about it though.

Just as an aside, have you checked you will still be eligible for SMP while living abroad? Oh, and your work can't contact you while on maternity leave without your prior consent.

"I'm expected to be contactable during and my maternity leave for a start." That's not on. They can't force you to be in contact during maternity leave.

I would not resign until just before your usual notice period. You have no idea how things might or might not work out overseas.