Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Hand notice in or ask for mat leave extension?

5 replies

ninnynono · 22/11/2017 13:07

I am due to go back to work in April after 8 months of maternity leave. I have already decided that I will ask for an extension of leave until September but now my husband and I are discussing the real possibility of me staying at home with the dc for a couple of years.

I really love looking after my dc and being more available at home so it makes sense. Financially, there is no need for me to work. However, I am conscious that dc2 is currently only 3 months old and by next September, I may feel differently about working! I do like my current job and there are quite a lot of advantages - even though I know I won't work there forever (and I do not plan on continuing in my line of work forever either).

I am due to meet with my boss next week as it's the end of my official maternity leave (before unpaid leave starts). I am torn as whether I should just hand my notice in or extend my unpaid leave. My gut feeling is that I won't go back next summer, but you never know, it could be good to keep the door open. But I don't want to mess my company around by asking to extend the leave and then handing in my notice anyway. They are already going to be disappointed I am not going back in April.

Wwyd?

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/11/2017 13:15

If April is only after 8 months ml you don't need to be meeting anyone yet or making decisions. You should receive some payment for 39 weeks and are entitled to 12 months leave, plus accrued leave. Does your employer offer a career break scheme?

ninnynono · 22/11/2017 13:17

Sorry, I should have said, I am not in the UK. Only 14 weeks mat leave, anything else is unpaid leave.

OP posts:
Lules · 22/11/2017 13:18

3 months is tiny still. You may well feel differently at 12 months. I really wouldn’t make any long term decisions until you have to. Your employer will cope. This is too important a decision for you to make based on what’s easiest for them.

ninnynono · 22/11/2017 13:43

Yes you are probably right. DH thinks as we are both almost sure of me staying at home for a few years, there is no need to keep the door open for the next year. As I said, I also don't want to give false hope to my employer but it is good to keep options open.

OP posts:
ninnynono · 22/11/2017 19:26

Any other opinions? Thanks Smile

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page