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Original poster

New job instead of returning to old job - help please

12 replies

beetree1 · 05/05/2023 09:55

Hi got some questions about wanting to start a new job instead of returning to my current job…

So I work for a nhs trust and receive smp + additional from the trust. I have taken a year out and decided to split the additional pay evenly across the 12 months. I am due back mid July.

The week I went on leave they told me they were employing someone full time and permanent to do my position (I’m part time) they also said they were changing the shifts to work evenings, weekends and holidays as well changing to shift patterns rather than the set days and times I currently work. There is a new full time person there now but the new working pattern hasn’t come in to effect yet but it’s still a thing that will be happening soon.

Because of these changes I’m not wanting to return to work. I feel as if I won’t have a job to come back to now there’s someone full time doing what I was doing. Add on the change of work pattern and the fact it’s an hour commute for me each way it’s just not feasible with 2 kids now and childcare.

Anyway I have seen my dream job advertised and it’s working from home so it would be perfect. But the problem I have is I need to return to my old job for 3 months else I have to pay back any additional pay over SMP. The only annual leave I have accrued will be April to current day as I used all of last years before I went on Mat leave.

Has anyone had this same issue with paying back mat pay. How did it work? I don’t think I’d be able to pay it back in a chunk I’m not even sure what it would be but with everything else going up I’m worried it will be another stress.

Id love to hear from others please 🙏🏼

OP posts:
Iwrote · 05/05/2023 10:24

Could you return for 12 weeks, then you wouldn't have to pay it back? Or else just set up a payment plan, a few hundred a month for a year or two.

Original poster
beetree1 · 05/05/2023 11:24

the job interview says end of May so I guess if I was successful I could potentially end my mat leave and use kit and leave then work the remaining weeks.

I wonder if the new job would be understandable and would wait

OP posts:
Iwrote · 05/05/2023 16:33

You know if you end your mat leave early they'll cock up your pay don't you? 🙄

Depending on what band it is they'll probably expect a notice period of up to 3 months anyway, they'll probably wait if it's a niche/ hard to fill role.

LamentedHelicopter · 05/05/2023 16:51

Depending where you’d be moving to some (private sector) companies will buy you out of payback clauses. It’s normally for course fees, but you can always give the option of pay up or wait 12wks.

Quveas · 05/05/2023 17:10

LamentedHelicopter · 05/05/2023 16:51

Depending where you’d be moving to some (private sector) companies will buy you out of payback clauses. It’s normally for course fees, but you can always give the option of pay up or wait 12wks.

You do know that those aren't the only options? There's a third one that is far more likely - no thanks we'll employ somebody else. It may be the ideal job for the OP, but that didn't mean the OP is the ideal, or only ideal, applicant.

OP if you end your maternity leave you won't have any KIT days to use - they are for use during, not at the end of, maternity leave. It's usually possible to negotiate repayments, but they may be less than willing to be flexible if you are leaving for another job and have an income. Have you actually spoken to them about your return and what they are proposing you return to? After 6 months your right to return is to the same job or if it isn't available, to one on the same terms. Unless your hours were not previously fixed, then they would need to find a part time role with roughly the same work patterns. If that isn't possible they might be happy to discuss redundancy to solve the issue. Are you in a union, as they could discuss the options with you.

Original poster
beetree1 · 05/05/2023 19:04

I’m not sure if that’s a dig but I never implied I’m getting the job straight of the bat. I just wanted to hear options or discuss with people going through or have been through similar.

I agreed to the new terms before I left as it was that or no job due to a huge restructure and I didn’t want that stress before going off. They done it to other people doing the same role in differemy teams so not just based off me being pregnant.

I guess if I was lucky I would just explain I need to work 3 months notice and end my Mat leave asap from knowing and return to work it or just pay back whatever it is

OP posts:
iwasthewalrus · 05/05/2023 19:16

You usually have to give 8 weeks notice to end your maternity leave so that plus your notice would be nearly 5 months.

If I were you I’d apply for the new job, not mentioning any of this to them, and see what happens. If you’re offered it you can discuss start dates with them and find out how much you’d owe your current role.

Quveas · 06/05/2023 08:26

beetree1 · 05/05/2023 19:04

I’m not sure if that’s a dig but I never implied I’m getting the job straight of the bat. I just wanted to hear options or discuss with people going through or have been through similar.

I agreed to the new terms before I left as it was that or no job due to a huge restructure and I didn’t want that stress before going off. They done it to other people doing the same role in differemy teams so not just based off me being pregnant.

I guess if I was lucky I would just explain I need to work 3 months notice and end my Mat leave asap from knowing and return to work it or just pay back whatever it is

I'm not sure who that was aimed at. If me, the information I gave was purely factual. But it was extremely relevant that you had agreed the new terms before your maternity leave, so you have no negotiating room now that the position has changed, because it hasn't. So the possibility of an alternative role with the same conditions as the old job is a non-starter.

Thisandthatornot · 28/09/2023 15:48

Hello,
I’m seeking advice from people who don’t know me regarding my employment.
I work at my previous employment for nearly 15 years & worked my way up to management level. I didn’t feel happy & struggled with my mental health & to be honest I thought a new job would fix my problems. I was very wrong! Instead of getting help with my mental health, I left my job without a new job (this was January 2020 so Covid really hindered my job search). I eventually found another job in November 2020. My mental health was in a bad way & in Oct 2021 I was signed off sick.
I didn’t receive support from my new employer & in March 2023 I handed my notice in.
Now we are at present day & I’m still without a job. My confidence is low & talk myself out of applying for jobs. Today I have came across a job advertised for my original position (at the place I had previously worked for nearly 15 years).
Would I be stupid to consider applying??
I’m trying to think of the pros & cons in returning & to be honest the only pro I can think of is that I’d be back in employment again so the unemployment shame would be gone but the list of cons is long (one being that my mental health still isn’t great).

If you have got to the end of my rambling then thank you & any words of advice would be greatly received.

xxx

Sisterpita · 28/09/2023 16:26

@Thisandthatornot you really need to start your own thread.

Apply for the job, the worst they can say is no.

Thisandthatornot · 28/09/2023 18:59

Sorry@Sisterpita, This is my first time on here & didn’t know how to start a new thread. I’ve figured it out now though.
Thank you for your message

Sisterpita · 28/09/2023 19:19

@Thisandthatornot no problem, it’s always difficult navigating any site at first.

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