Do I get a new job after maternity leave?

[TomB95]

Hi, just wondering if anyone decided to get a new job after maternity leave? If you did, why and was it the right decision for you?

my situation:
so I am due to return to work in four week, after 11 months on MAT leave. I’ll be retuning to a 4.5day working week. However I have been offered a 3 day working week (9hr days) and I don’t know if I should accept it or not.

pros:

1. only working 3 days, so more time spent with my baby
2. could be a step up in my career
3. great salary for a 3 day week

cons:

1. love the business and team I currently work for
2. I love my jobs currently (however it is 4.5days)
3. do I want to start a new job with a young child and have the stress of something new
4. new role for the business, so no one knows what the work load will actually look like
5. Different job to what I do now, but same sector

I may be able to as to drop to a 3 day working week at my current job, but I wouldn’t be able to manage my team and would take a hit to my salary. I rather be the manager than managed, if you get me! I’m worried my career would go back forwards.

the only things tempting me to accept this new jobs is the 3 days week and good salary. What would you do?

Is the new role in the same company? If not, do you have to repay any mat leave if you do take the new job?

The new job is with a new company. If I return to my current role I get a bonus for going back, however if I accept it I’ll have to repay it if I did leave within 12months.

I was told on my return (my current job) I’ll be managing 6 people, so I asked for a pay rise as before MAT I managed one person. This is more responsibly and would increase my work load, but surprising ….the answer was no.

They doesn’t sound like good enough reasons to take the risk of moving roles/company.

How certain are you that you’d lose management responsibility if you reduced hours in your current role? I went from 4 days a week to 2, but still kept the same role, managing a team of 5 people. Have you tried negotiating with your current employer? With a job offer in hand, they may offer you something rather than lose you.

Just read your update. To go from managing one person to 6 without a promotion/pay rise seems crazy. Your current employer may say yes now that you have a job offer elsewhere.

Well I haven’t even had that conversation yet, I have a new boss when I return to work. When I discussed dropping down to 4days she said my salary would be affected, which I thought was harsh considering she wants me to manage 5 more people.

I keep telling myself to return to work and see how it is and if it’s not working then I’ll have the conversation about reducing my hours, I don’t want to see a cut in my salary.

this new job wouldn’t see my salary reducing for a 3 day week.

Do you think I should say Iv been offer another job elsewhere? And see if they can up my salary/reduce my days? Or is that cheeky? I rather say at my current job.

When I discussed dropping down to 4days she said my salary would be affected, which I thought was harsh

You didn't seriously think they'd pay you 100% of your salary to work 80% of the hours? That's not how part time works. She was right to ensure you understood the implications of your request, especially as it seems that you didn't.

Negotiating an uplift if responsibilities have substantially changed is separate.

3x 9 hour days is full time hours, depending on what the lunch break arrangements are. Is that actually a better deal?

Are you planning more kids in a year or so? If so what are maternity policies like at the two places? 4.5 days may still mean 5 days in nursery which is an extra cost. But if you have another maternity you could reduce / remove childcare for another year.

When I discussed dropping down to 4days she said my salary would be affected, which I thought was harsh considering she wants me to manage 5 more people.

You’re asking to drop 20% of your working hours, of course your salary would reduce to reflect that. I can’t see how increasing the people you manage would offset such a reduction in hours, maybe a small uplift if the new management responsibilities exceed your contract but that wouldn’t make up for the reduction in hours.