Applying for new job on mat leave

[mincepies]

Name changed just in case!

Hoping someone can answer this for me. I'm just in the process of applying for a new job: am on maternity leave until April/early May. When I go back to work I'm being moved to a completely different part of the organisation (same job title but very different role: they won't tell me what or even where), so feel like I might as well work in a different place for more money etc. Plus have worked in current sector for 6 years and really want a change! Feel no particular loyalty to current employer and don't give a monkeys about paying anything back to them. So all good! I'm pretty sure I'll get an interview.

Where, or how, do I say I'm on maternity leave? Form? Interview if I get one? Leave mentioning it unless I'm offered the job? With the time frame for this, I reckon the person wouldn't be in post until March-ish in any case.

Any suggestions? DH says don't mention it - if I do, would my form go straight in the bin?

Thanks!

Don't mention it. If it asks about availability just put the date you are available. None of their usiness really.

Don't mention it. I am on mat leave too and have been successful in landing new job!! i only mentioned it to them at interview stage and luckily they did not want anyone to start until Feb so worked out for me. Have not told current employer yet but will do so soon.

Thanks - looks like DH wins that one! Will see how I go!

Don't mention it. Maybe you will have to start only later.

I have a additional question (it matches this topic). What if I want to work few hours by the maternity leave (for example weekend job). Will I loose my maternity leave or will it add up?

Hmmm, I think you would lose you mat leave as you would be working. I know very little about such matters, but it so happens that I do freelance work as well as my regular job and so as to avoid losing SMP I'm having to wait to invoice them until I go back to work. Not sure how that would work with a weekend job though!

I'm in the same boat mincepies - I'm mentioning it on a covering letter.

Do not mention it.
I have applied for jobs whilst on mat leave in the past and noticed a strange correlation between companies knowing I was on leave and them not taking things any further.
I have skills that are v "in demand" right now, so it did seem a little odd...

I thought working freelance way aswell. I thought of doing freelance tuition on the weekends. The same solution like you choose, Mincepies, postponing the invoiceing definalely works. But would be nicer if I could do freelance job at the same time.
I am thinking of going to the local Jobcentre Plus or Cit. Adv. B. to find out the options, but it takes time.

Anitasmall, you are entitled to 10 days 'keeping in touch' days with the employer that you are on maternity leave from but if you go back to work properly or start a new job with a different employer then you give up your right to maternity pay.

Statutory Maternity Pay is pretty much paid by the taxpayer so it is a benefit. Employers claim back most of the SMP from the State. Anyone that is looking for ways round working and getting SMP should be careful as I imagine the Inland Revenue would treat you the same way that they would who was fraudulently claiming a benefit.

Not trying be judgemental btw, just trying to clarify some of the issues to take into account

www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/ni17a/smp/smp_7.asp tells you when SMP might stop.