Jobs in local government

[grantedpip]

Sorry for the rubbish thread title, couldn't summarise what I wanted to say.

I'm relatively new to local government working in a corporate/governance type role and have just seen my equivalent job at a neighbouring authority advertised for more money and with an office closer to where I live. I have a few queries but don't want to ask my work (as don't want them to know I'm considering leaving) and don't want to ask the 'potential' new place (as don't want to seem silly). So I turn to the wisdom of mumsnet to see if anyone has any experience!

1. The area I work in is quite specialised and there are 4/5 providers who cover our county, but there is a lot of movement between staff and 'everyone knows everyone', so if I apply for this job or even contact the person on the advert for an informal chat, I need to assume that news of this will get back to my management team. Within corporate type jobs, is it a big deal to talk to other potential places? Is my boss likely to be pee-ed off about this? Or is it all the name of the game? (I'm reasonably happy where I am but have discussed pay with them and they are not budging, so to get paid more for essentially the same job sounds brilliant.)

2. I am due to go on maternity leave in a few months. Is it absolutely idiotic to expect that an employer would hire me and then essentially wait 9 months for me to start? I am pretty good at my job and qualified above the requirements otherwise I wouldn't even humour this.

3. In a hypothetical world where they agree to the above (2), as I understand it I wouldn't be penalised for moving jobs as would be going from one local government to another. IE one or other would pay my enhanced maternity pay and I wouldn't need to pay this back as I would if I left to go to the private sector for example.

I know it's a long shot with the pregnancy. But it would be several thousand pounds extra per year so worth considering I felt.

If anyone is able to share any insight it would be appreciated.

1. Make it clear you are talking to them confidentially and under GDPR they should not disclose it. As you have had discussions with your manager I would be honest and say nothing personal you have been clear you can’t increase my pay so I’m applying for this job as better pay and less travel. As a manager I have had a range of internal emotions, delighted as it saves me the effort of managing a poor performer out, gutted as I loved working with an employee but delighted the got the job, heart sinking as it’s an extra job to recruit and train a replacement, but to the person I have always just been delighted and supportive. You may find this prompt them to match the salary.
2. I have recruited/promoted/level transfers who are pregnant. If it’s only a few months till you go on Mat leave pragmatically by the end of the recruitment process they may say transfer/start job when you return from mat leave. I would never transfer anyone part way through Mat leave as only one employer can pay SMP and once they pay one week they have to pay all 39 weeks.
3. Get it in writing, it all depends on whether HMRC consider them one employer. I am 100% sure for Civil Service but not local gmt.

That is really helpful. Thank you. Any ideas who specifically I would approach to clarify the pay situation? HMRC?
I know that they class as continuous employer from the point of view of sick pay/annual leave etc but can't see anywhere about whether they class as continuous for the specific situation of enhanced maternity pay.

@grantedpip your HR should know, you may have to ask for it to be escalated as it’s usually the pay policy expert who knows. If HR don’t know ask them to contact HMRC employers help line.