Redundancy during maternity leave

[Tnib]

Hi, just wanted some input. I was due to go back to work in October after a year of maternity leave but was considering going back slightly earlier when I found out that 39 positions were being made redundant at work unless I wanted to move abroad, which my partner and I didn’t especially as new parents. Work in the industry I work in is thin on the ground at the moment, though I’ve started to look for a new job. I wondered if anyone did any flexible types of work while on maternity leave. as I want to get back to work as I’m ready and don’t want to be looking after my baby on a full time basis and thought something flexible might be a good way back into work.

Surely you go back and at least take the redundancy package first?

No, I’ve already taken redundancy as most operations were moved abroad in July and my maternity leave was due to end in October.

I’m not really sure I understand what advice you are looking for - you’ve been made redundant already so you are not on maternity leave but in between jobs and you want to go back to work part-time? Are you looking for advice on part-time jobs? - if so you’d need to say what Industry and part of the country you are in..

I wasn’t clear I have got my pay out in July.

I’m not looking for jobs in the industry I work as they are thin on the ground, just wondered if there were any general tips on what people have done or would do in a similar situation. I’m in London but I was just wondering about anything people have done.

Thanks

It would help if we knew what you do so we can weight up transferable skills. There's a world of difference between (say) data analytics and events management.

Lots of women get part time jobs when their kids are small. Personally I got a part-time university admissions role, but if you are a qualified yoga teacher or another holistic type thing that type of job works well part-time, or if you have accountancy skills you can freelance part time, or if you are good at making things you could set up an Etsy shop. Without any further details on your skill set it’s impossible to give any kind of useful advice!

If you are in UK you can claim contributions based job seekers allowance. It is about £80 a week. Your redundancy money is not taken into account for a certain time period.
Apply online under universal credit www.gov.uk

It also means that your National Insurance "stamps" are paid too if you are not working

@Luana1 thanks I have thought about working at a university, I’m going to have a proper look into some university jobs.

@Howmany2changealightbulb Thank you for that info, I did not know that. I have some money from my flat sale from before I moved in with my partner so won’t be eligible in the current circumstances but good to know.

@HewasH20 I’m an Archive Producer/Researcher working in Television

There are loads of uni roles available in connected fields. I would Google any university within touching distance and see which of their vacancies take your fancy.

Thanks I’ve had a little look, will keep my eyes peeled.

Claim child benefit as that maintains your ni record. If you/dp earns more than 60k you can opt out of payments or pay back via a Tax Return (often not in full)

I think you should re post with a different title

"Redundancy during maternity leave" isnt really relevant as most people will think you have been threatened with redundancy, not out the other side

In a nutshell, you are "unemployed" and "looking for advice on return to work after maternity"? Would that be closer?

@LIZS I do claim child benefit.

@Certainlyreally I was made redundant during may leave but I’m now looking for work so probably is closer. I might re-post to see if I get a few more replies though work at a university sounds good. My work is a bit niche already within the industry I work in, so people I work with don’t always know what I do much anyone else…so general info is probably better.