Looking for another job while on mat leave?

[PumpkinPie2013]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of this and are willing to share?

Basically, I work at place X and have done, very successfully for 3 years. I am having my first baby in Dec so will be on maternity leave.

Now, I quite like my job at X and have always got on well with my manager but there are going to be a lot of changes to things generally and some of these will affect me. Also, I do feel I've reached a ceiling at X so to speak.

With these things in mind I'm thinking of using my time away to effectively 're-evaluate' things and probably look for another job for when I'm ready to return to work. I understand I will have to repay enhanced maternity pay if I do find another post and have accounted for this.

Has anyone else done this? How did you find it? I feel it would be good to start a new role at the end of my leave instead of returning to my current one. It's just all a bit scary!! Any tips/experiences appreciated! TIA

No tips but I'm currently on mat leave from x for second time in three years :-/ I'm in the same situation and looking for something new for the reasons you've set out above. Are you certain you have to pay back your mat leave? They do in public sector but not always in private. I won't have to.

Hi striped,

Sorry to hear you're in the same boat yes, I do have to pay back the enhanced part (Not the ordinary) which I have budgeted for (still a pain though!)

It's a shame really as I do (or at least have up to now) really like the job itself but the changes are not appealing really and I don't think there is much scope for progression where I am

Trying to see it as an opportunity to try new things though

good luck with your search!