Apply for new job on Mat leave

[Katalfdav]

Hi, I’m currently on month 5 on mat leave and planned to have the whole year off however a job I really want has become available I have applied to it but I am unsure if it’s ok? And can they say they don’t want to wait until my mat leave is finished for the job to start?

Of course it’s ok to apply for a job while you are on mat leave but I don’t think you should expect them to wait seven months. They’ve posted the role either while someone is working their notice or has already left. Maybe for the most amazing candidate ever, they might be willing to have a small gap but I can’t think of any company that would wait that long. So yes they can, and most likely will, not entitled to any special consideration here. I wouldn’t even ask that question.

You have to be prepared to go through the interview process as if you were not on mat leave and if you are made an offer that works, give your current work the appropriate notice and sort out childcare.

best of luck!

It depends on the sector and seniority, in mine some roles have 6 months notice, so they’d be expecting someone to start 6-7 months from interview. My notice is 3 months and it’s usually over 4 months from
interview to start date.

They certainly don’t have to entertain your mat leave. Do you have any mat pay that you will have to repay if you leave?

If you apply for it, don’t mention the mat leave until after interview.

If we don't return we need to pay back some of our maternity leave I believe.