What to do next? Voluntary redundancy offered whilst on mat leave

[Gardengirl247]

I’ve been at my org for 8 years, moved into various posts during that time. Had one stint at a higher grade pre mat leave and can definitely do it. That was lower senior management level.

Whilst on leave I’ve applied for various jobs at said higher grade. Have been “merited” a couple of times (I.e if a similar job comes up we might call you but how long is a piece of string…) but no success. Didn’t get one role I thought had my name written all over it so that really got me down. Will keep going but feeling increasingly demotivated and like this isn’t how I’d like to spend my time off.

Worth saying I gave up my specific role pre leave so will be going back to do something different on return. This was my choice, feel I’d learned everything I could. Will need to be reassigned.

Last week I was offered voluntary exit along with everyone else. Terms are relatively generous and I was considering leaving after the various interview disappointments… but feeling torn. Bit scary to do immediately post leave and would that also put my career back a few steps as I need to find something else?

Final factor is no idea what I actually want to do for the next thirty years of my career.

Sorry major blurb here but wanted to put to paper and seek advice. My family are majorly risk adverse (think same place of work for 40 years, DH just wants me to be happy and friends don’t really have “careers” in a classic sense so don’t really get it -their words not mine!!!)

I’d be looking for at least a year, I’ve got two years at the moment and that is only just starting to tempt me. Don’t underestimate how much your confidence can take a hit post mat leave and adding in looking for a new job whilst not in work could be tricky. Also as a pp says, the market isn’t great right now and unless you have a substantial cushion you may end up taking something on lower pay which will eat at your earning potential and undercut the ‘gain’ of your payout.

8 years, six of these at one grade (but moving around) with management responsibility for approx 5. One year pre mat leave on secondary managing 11.

Oh sorry it’s been a long day!!!!

I did this.

They have to honour. Your mat leave, so will continue to pay you your mat leave, and then you will get your settlement, plus accrued holidays.

I used my mat leave to find an alternative role in another organisation knowing that I had a buffer. I took a job and it turned out to be one that I stayed in for 10 years and really enjoyed.

If you can't get an internal role you're better off taking their offer for voluntarily and compulsory is usually a worse offer.

Thanks good to have a positive story - how did you find juggling applying for jobs and childcare? They all seem to need cvs, statements, written responses etc

With the few I’m in touch with on mat leave no. Reasons being happy in role. Some people are going for it I understand and they are people with about same amount of experience taking a punt without necessarily the same family pressures (no kids, mortgage done etc)

If you took VR before the end of your Mat Leave and so couldn't then return to your role, would you be expected or required to pay back any occupational mat pay? In my place of work, if I don't return from Mat Leave for at least 13 weeks then I'd have to pay back all the occupational mat pay I had received during my leave. Would that still be the case if taking VR?

If they are offering VR now, might they offer it again in 12months or so?

I don't know much about employment law but from a mind-set perspective I would always say people should take vol redundancy because it puts you in control of a scary situation. I would certainly that if the next round is involuntary and the payout is less because even if you don't get made redundant (and I think it less likely as you're on ML) you have to plod on sadly in a business that clearly isn't doing all that well.
I'm sure you feel vulnerable but life has changed anyway; I think I would look at it as an opportunity to do something else.

Public sector is on its knees. Council I used to work for opened up voluntary redundancy every year to try to save some money.

Usually for VR you wouldn’t be expected to pay back occupational mat pay, it would be part of the package.

What kind of salary are you on OP? Have you scouted around to see what’s out there? It’s fairly slim pickings in that middle management band especially for a non-specialist (speaking as one!)

In the £50-60k bracket, lack of middle management jobs out there is my concern tbh! The challenge will not necessarily be getting another a job I suppose but one that matches current salary.