Leaving a job with excellent maternity package

[Notoutloud]

Interviewing for a new job this week. I'm bored out of my mind in my current job and feeling increasingly de-skilled. I've been miserable there for months, if not years, and I'm feeling really excited at the prospect of a career move.

On the other hand, I'm not totally sure that we're done having children (currently have two - 2 and 5). My current organisation's maternity package is 6 months full salary, then SMP. New org would be 12 weeks full salary, followed by SMP.

Should I let this sway my decision? We are very far from a decision on the third baby question, but I'd hate to have our hands forced by the fact that a third mat leave would cost us thousands of pounds.

Do I need to chill out?! (Yes!)

Could you afford it?

Does it come with a pay rise and if so, could you put that difference away to support you in future mat leave?

I stayed in my job for years while TTC and I was so frustrated and looking back at it now I wish I had just changed my job at the time and then worry about maternity package when I actually was pregnant.

I think so? We have some savings, and could probably put a bit more away if we did decide to go for a third. But it would be a big extra consideration!

Will there be a delay in eligibility? What happens if you get pregnant before you plan?

No meaningful pay rise (max £2K, which would easily be taken by extra commuting costs) 😞

The difference is 3 months salary minus £2000 - how much is that in monetary terms?

Is it worth it?

This is a good point. I think my current org required at least 3 months employment before you could access the enhanced mat pay, but I'm not sure what the new conditions would be. We're being v careful, but would need to iron-clad it 😅

After all this hand-wringing, I probably won't even get the job!

I think about £3.5K? I know personal finances are all relative, but that's a pretty hefty chunk of money for us.