New job after maternity leave - good or bad career move?

[CucumberCool]

I know everyone probably feels underappreciated at work and that they should probably be paid more but I've seen very similar roles which ask for half as much as I actually do being paid more than I do - if only I could find that job description now!!

Just had a job consultation at my NHS job (Trust level rather than hospital). It's an admin role.
Reshuffle has meant there are new roles opening and some roles have clear progression now.

I completely manage the function I look after so much so, senior people (including my own manager) come to me to ask how things should be handled...

I go above and beyond and put my all into this, I've updated policies and stopped unnecessary external contracts, trained my immediate (supposed) overseer and restructured the service for efficiency and ease.

I make sure the service is watertight reputationally and ahears to accessible information standards, ensuring inclusivity and ease of use for the user. I often liaise with external companies and stakeholders about my work and how it should be presented in future.

On top of this I look after other smaller but invaluable functions of the wider team as well as always putting my hand up to pick up anything I am able to on top.

None of this has been recognised and I will remain an 'assistant' with associated pay. Region of 21,000

With regard to career progression, to stay even remotely within the field I am passionate about I will need to stay where I am. In the new structure the next person is a whopping 4.1 bands above me. To make that jump is unheard of.

I am genuinely gutted and feel so naive that I believe the crap we churn out about appreciated and respected.

I'm going to tell work in November I will be going on mat leave in February and am looking for advice of how to advance after.

Stupidly I canceled my union subscription 6 mo ago to try save money and have no one to ask for advice!

Should I:

1. look for a new job now? Hopefully find a better paid one. Work for two months then break the news of going on mat leave in Feb?

2. stay where I am, work to my job description only until I return and see how I feel,

3. find a new better paid job a couple of months after returning

4. find a better job while on mat leave and not return?

I imagine it will be difficult to get a job after mat leave as it will be difficult to 'keep my hand in' and I would have worked in that field for 9mo /1year... Is that right?

Partner is on low income and and extremely worried about money in the future

Don't stay in a job you're unhappy in.

Although companies should not discriminate whatsoever towards your pregnancy, I think you may struggle finding a job while pregnant. Of course I could be wrong and the dream job may indeed hire you.

Also, would you lose any maternity benefits by leaving your current job now?

My advice, and I have done this, stay in your current role until you go on mat leave. Enjoy the first few months focusing on your baby and then start looking for a new role.
A lot of women don't return to their old job after mat leave for various reasons.

Thank you, there is a good chance I would lose maternity pay if I start somewhere new. You need 26 weeks if working somewhere to qualify.

Have gone for the job anyway and will ask union if I can keep mat pay (as will be staying within the NHS, but with new Trust).

Even if I can't keep mat pay I will stay where I am and look for somewhere new in the new year after baby.

Thanks for your reply

I'd go for number 3 personally. I agree that you shouldn't stay in a job you don't want to be in, but a bit of security might help.

Can't you rejoin your union now and ask their advice before November?

I'd want to have a meeting with my boss and present the hard evidence of how much I've done and how beneficial I am, and expect a pay rise/promotion.

Is that not possible?

@PrettyPlatapus

Thank you, there is a good chance I would lose maternity pay if I start somewhere new. You need 26 weeks if working somewhere to qualify.

Have gone for the job anyway and will ask union if I can keep mat pay (as will be staying within the NHS, but with new Trust).

Even if I can't keep mat pay I will stay where I am and look for somewhere new in the new year after baby.

Thanks for your reply

Good luck 🤞 I think as long as you're employed for 26 consecutive weeks before due date you should be okay regarding mat pay. Even if you switch jobs! Good for you for applying. I hope you get it 🙂

@AlbertBridge

Can't you rejoin your union now and ask their advice before November?

I'd want to have a meeting with my boss and present the hard evidence of how much I've done and how beneficial I am, and expect a pay rise/promotion.

Is that not possible?

Yes rejoined unison, although not technically covered for one month, got an informal chat booked in for tomorrow.

Formal chat with boss and HR on Friday in which I will definitely fight my corner. Have a list of points made already.

I definitely do more then my job description.

Looks like option 3 is most realistic for me now.
Unfortunately I'm past the point of working somewhere new for 26 weeks before I give birth!

Still going for a new job for experience, confidence boost and make my name known for future opportunities.

Thanks for the replies

I would do 3, just speaking from experience, I felt very similar in my job, and really really dreaded going back from my maternity. I actually found out i was pregnant after i'd had 2 months off on sick leave with work related depression. I got offered redundancy just as I was due to come back and ran with it. But now I'm really really struggling to find a job at the same level with part time hours that will fit around childcare. I don't regret taking the redundancy, but the stress and the rejections isn't fun. I didn't think it would be this hard but it is.

I would suggested going back to your job after maternity and then taking it from there.
I know people who have not gone back to their old jobs after mat leave and found new roles whilst on leave, and it can add an extra layer of stress.
It can be daunting and stressful enough when you first return to a job/company you already know after Mat leave, trying to balance getting back into the swing of things and juggling your new baby, then to add the stress of trying to learn a new role and whole new company on top of that, can be hard.
Whereas if you go back to your old role, you will know what your doing/your way around already so it will be easier than trying to settle into a new role and company when you also have a baby to think about.

Not saying don’t move jobs at all, I would just suggest getting back into the swing of work before getting on the job search!
Best of luck with whatever you end up doing!

I know it’s been a while but this popped up when I was searching. Wondering what you ended up doing? Or your recommendations, I am in a similar position month 7 of Mat leave and I’ve been offered a new post in another trust. Don’t know if starting a new job will be too stressful/ if it will be worth it in the long run… the difference is that there’s no oncall in this one, closer to home but setting up the service.