Civil service, maternity leave and moving jobs

[Donotfeedthebears]

I’m a civil servant, going on maternity leave soon. DH is military and being posted to another base 2 hours away, we are moving there.

Where do I stand with my job? I’m definitely going back after mat leave, looking at jobs in the Department where we are moving to. But do I tell my current line manager I’m not going back to my current job? In my Department, a valid reason for a career break is “accompanying a military spouse on posting” but hopefully I’ll get an internal job there, I have a year to find one.

But can they fill my current post so I would be left without a job?

Number of things to consider, talk to your HR as they will help you.

SMP and Occupational Mat Pay - Apply as normal and indicate you will return for the required 4 weeks/month. Make sure you have sufficient annual leave to cover the 4 weeks - this can include annual leave accrued whilst on mat leave.

Apply for the 4 weeks annual leave with your mat leave application.

Career break - do you want a career break or to transfer to a new location? If you want a career break, apply for it to start once your annual leave ends. Your reasoning can be child care and spouse moving.

If you don’t want a career break or 12 months before your career break ends fill in a voluntary transfer form (check on your depts Intranet). Also sign up for Civil Service jobs and start identifying jobs in your new location as you will/may be expected to apply for them.

If you work for a large department with locations where you will be living it is much easier to just get a transfer.

HTH

Thank you. 👍🏻

@Donotfeedthebears

I’m a civil servant, going on maternity leave soon. DH is military and being posted to another base 2 hours away, we are moving there.

Where do I stand with my job? I’m definitely going back after mat leave, looking at jobs in the Department where we are moving to. But do I tell my current line manager I’m not going back to my current job? In my Department, a valid reason for a career break is “accompanying a military spouse on posting” but hopefully I’ll get an internal job there, I have a year to find one.

But can they fill my current post so I would be left without a job?

Hello @Donotfeedthebears - just jumping in quickly to say that this week we are running a free online legal advice clinic about everything to do with employment and pregnancy and your rights in work as a parent, with Maternity Action. Volunteers will give you free advice on your particular situation if you post your question on the thread (they will message you privately for the info you don't want to post publicly). It ends Friday.

Thanks!

MNHQ