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Original poster

Am I mad to start a new job off of Mat leave?

24 replies

HolidayHun2020 · 18/12/2022 15:34

So I have been on Mat leave for almost a year and gearing up to go back to work. I asked for a payrise a couple of months ago as I realised that my role was really underpaid in line with market rate etc It was a flat out no and since then there have been a few other things E.g there will be no progression, I’ve subtly been demoted in practice but not on paper. I’ve been out in to the job market and blown away by the response which has been lovely (7 out of 10 places I applied for I got interviews). I have been offered a role that is a £25k increase which is life changing but I am really concerned as it’s a big job with a lot more responsibility, 9-6 as opposed to 9-5, commute is better though and it’s hybrid. I also have it on good authority that the manager isn’t very flexible as I know someone who works there but every time I’ve spoken to him, he’s said he’s flexible as has kids so understands.

Am I mad for starting a new job off of maternity leave? What would you do? Any experiences anyone can share good or bad would be helpful!

My biggest concern is all the illnesses kids get at nursery, my husband won’t be able to take time off if my daughter is sick so worried that with my current company I have a lot of flexibility and they’ve already said if my little girl is sick to not worry about coming in or taking it as holiday.

OP posts:

Heyahun · 18/12/2022 15:37

Why can’t your husband take time off to help with sickness days ??

id totally take the new job - you can always change jobs again if it’s not working out 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

bunpot · 18/12/2022 15:48

Agree it's worth taking the new job. I started my career after having my daughter - 25k pay rise is insane!

Original poster

HolidayHun2020 · 18/12/2022 15:51

@Heyahun his work is field/shift based and taking days off affects his pay plus annual leave which we use for weekends together etc so not impossible but not ideal!

OP posts:

walkinthewoodstoday · 18/12/2022 15:58

25k pay rise! Employ a nanny instead.

AnnaTortoiseshell · 18/12/2022 16:01

For that kind of pay rise you’re mad to even think twice! But seriously. You’re clearly competent and skilled and worth the money. Don’t (effectively) spend £25k on the possibility that your current job is more flexible than this new one.

Moonpies · 18/12/2022 16:04

With £25k payrise you can probably do a few things to be more flexible from your side, can you get a nanny for example? Sounds like the new job could lead to better progression in the future as well, rather than dead end job.

Original poster

HolidayHun2020 · 18/12/2022 16:04

walkinthewoodstoday · 18/12/2022 15:58

25k pay rise! Employ a nanny instead.

Hahaha I wish it made it enough to do this!

OP posts:

WhatHappenedToYoyos · 18/12/2022 16:09

I started a new job after mat leave. It was a bit daunting and my main concerns were similar but I've been there a few years now and really glad I went for it. No pay rise like that for me unfortunately as I'm in teaching 😂

Original poster

HolidayHun2020 · 18/12/2022 16:09

Moonpies · 18/12/2022 16:04

Deffo couldn’t afford a nanny (I wish lol) but the new job is definitely a step up and there’s already a rough plan in place for this roles progression in 2024! So it is the much better option… guess I’m just worried about what it will be like in practice being a FTM

OP posts:

Original poster

HolidayHun2020 · 18/12/2022 16:10

WhatHappenedToYoyos · 18/12/2022 16:09

What was it like with the illnesses lol that’s my biggest worry - only being there a week and being like sorry can’t come in…

OP posts:

roarfeckingroarr · 18/12/2022 16:14

Take the job. There's no future in your current role after how they're treating you. Your husband will support you, no?

WhatHappenedToYoyos · 18/12/2022 16:31

@HolidayHun2020 it's definitely a bit awkward but we get unpaid leave if it's child related so I explained if I'm being unpaid, my husband earns more per day (also in teaching) so he's not going to take the day off, I am. The irony is I don't get paid but have to plan and resource every lesson for someone else to deliver so you'll probably find that aspect much easier. I think if you show you're a hard worker when you're not off for DCs inevitable illnesses then it will be less of an issue.

If the employer pays for time off work for childcare then definitely keep emails open, be willing to call in or do some work during naps etc.

Heyahun · 18/12/2022 16:32

My daughter has been at nursery almost a year now. I’ve only had to take 1 day off with her sick! So it’s not necessarily gonna be as big of a problem that you are making out. You’ll have to wait and see guess and deal with it as and when it arises

also depends how strict your nurseries sickness policy is too

livelollove · 18/12/2022 16:38

Definitely take the new job but just make sure you don't have to pay back any May pay to your employer. Our employer has a rule that it you leave within 12 months of returning from May leave you have to pay it back.

RidingMyBike · 18/12/2022 16:49

Check whether you'd have to pay back any of your maternity pay if you got an enhanced package? We had to return to our job for at least 3 months to retain it.

They don't all have loads of time off sick. Mine went to nursery at a year and has had precisely 3.5 days off sick in six years of nursery and school. I did two of those days, DH did 1.5. We both just used annual leave.

HoHoHowMuch · 18/12/2022 17:05

Can you work from home if the child is ill? That's what we normally do. I think with much more money and progression opportunities, you would be mad to turn it down for the more familiar job

Original poster

HolidayHun2020 · 18/12/2022 17:37

@RidingMyBike @livelollove

So it is written in the rules that I would have to pay it back. Worst case scenario I feel like the payrise makes it worth it? Best case scenario I’ve been told they won’t chase for it and it’s more of a deterrent!

OP posts:

tickticksnooze · 18/12/2022 17:45

Why is it such a steep payrise? How much unpaid overtime will you be doing? Ime that's usually the explanation for steep pay differentials unless it's a dramatic role change.

Original poster

HolidayHun2020 · 18/12/2022 17:57

@tickticksnooze so in my current role I am genuinely underpaid for the industry I’m in! All the other roles I’ve gone for were a £15k increase for companies the same size and like for like roles as where I am now. This particular role I have been offered is a much larger global company and the role has senior in the title so it’s also a step up!

This is the most frustrating thing, if I were adequately paid - even though it would be £10k less then the new role I would probably stay for another couple of years!

OP posts:

MarmiteCoriander · 18/12/2022 18:34

Take the new role!!!

Different circumstances, but I took a role with more responsibility and a similar uplift in pay to you. Best thing I ever did! If, after a year or so it really isn't working out- you have the experience of this new role, and the old one and more leverage to maintain the better rate on future roles.

Let us know what you decide and how you get on.

Lulu2171 · 18/12/2022 19:26

Please take it. New boss is going in with his eyes open because you've sensibly flagged it. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity and your current employers don't deserve you. There's no way of knowing how much time off your DC will need, and I get a nanny is a big step up cost-wise, but perhaps you earmark a bit of the money for an emergency nanny for a few days here and there that you really don't want to be off for.

lifehappens12 · 18/12/2022 20:27

This is a tough one as I have started new roles at the same company each time so have a reputation for getting the job done. Each time my children have been ill a lot at the start but I have a lot of goodwill where I work. When my kids are ill I make up the time when they sleep.

One thing you could consider and I tried this with my youngest - start them at nursery part time ahead of your return. My l youngest spent my last three weeks of Mat leave being Ill but altleast he got some of the bugs out of the way.

Also their immune systems will get better. My first born pre covid times - really wasn't that I'll that often. My second during covid has been I'll much more often. But it did calm down after the first few weeks

Fedupofballs · 18/12/2022 22:25

I did it and didn’t regret it at all. I also started part time for 6 months, with the understanding that I would move to full time, which enabled me to be flexible with the inevitable nursery sick days. It’s a really good point for a fresh start.

RosieLee2019 · 19/12/2022 16:32

Hi, I handed my notice in 3 months after returning from mat leave and started a new job 3 months later. I had the same worries as you, but felt like I had to go for it as I had been stagnant in my previous job for a while. I knew I was taking on a lot (more senior role, higher salary, more responsibility etc) with a demanding, poorly sleeping toddler but figured I could quit if it didn’t work out and find something else. It has worked out ok but ONLY because it’s hybrid working and I work mainly from home. I’m supposed to be in the office a couple of times a week but they’re not strict on it. I don’t think I’d have taken the job if it wasn’t flexible and it has worked out well in that sense. I’m also lucky that my manager has young family and is v understanding re work/life balance. So I’d say if you have done your research and feel like it’s manageable- go for it. You won’t truly know until you start the new job but I think you will find a way to make it work for you.

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