Interview whilst on maternity leave

[Jottie123]

Looking for advice…

I am currently on maternity leave, my full pay has stopped and I am just about to start my 3 months statutory pay followed by some leave.

I have an interview in a few weeks for a job I would really like and would work much better for my little family (current job is shift work). I have not disclosed to the potential employer that I am on maternity leave, the only question I was asked in my application was if I am currently employed full or part time. If I was to be offered to the job, I would be unable to start until mid August at the earliest (unwilling to cut my mat leave short despite how much I want the job). At what stage should I disclose this? Obviously if I am asked outright in the interview I won’t lie, but are they even allowed to ask that? I’m aware they can’t discriminate but also aware that this is quite likely. If I’m asked about when I can start what do I say? Can my current employer disclose that I’m on maternity leave if they are asked for a reference? In an ideal world I wouldn’t be applying for a job this far ahead but I need to know what I’m doing to be able to arrange childcare.

Any advice would be appreciated!

You could tell them you have a 3 month notice period, to explain why you're available from Aug?

But if you're doing that I don't see the difference in just saying you're currently on mat leave. Either way your start date is the start date, shouldn't matter why.

I guess I would bring it up when/if they ask about a potential start date - they often ask about notice periods etc.

I interviewed while on mat leave, and had about 3.5 months left, but I had a three month notice period anyway. So I told them my notice period was 3 months, and never mentioned the mat leave at all. But I think if I’d had a one month notice period, I wouldn’t have wanted to basically say I was available 2 months before I was.

Mid-August sounds like a long way away, but actually it’s only 3.5 months (not even that if your interview isnt for a few weeks), so it’s not excessive given that some people are on 3 month notice periods (although I guess it depends on your industry/job how common that is).

They can’t ask and you don’t have to tell, and no you’re counted as employed on mat leave and your current employer should not disclose your mat leave status in a reference.