starting mat leave knowing I won't come back

[eejaykay]

Looking for advice! I work for a small company and in Sept will start my second maternity leave (I only came back 7 months ago. My contract only promises SMP, but last mat leave they paid me full pay for the whole 9 months , with no strings attached (I know, completely amazing). Things are financially harder this year (and they've wised up to what a crazy deal they gave me!) so I'm not expecting the same this time round. But also, they didn't hire anyone to cover me and my colleague took on the burden of my work.

This time around I've said I wnat the whole year, don't know what they're planning to offer in maternity pay (and last time the arrangement was very informal so may not be a formal offer). But I know I don't plan to come back. Basically, I have been well treated at this company and don't want to take advantage of their good nature, nor to put my colleagues under unnecessary pressure. Then again, I don't want to do myself out of maternity pay out of misguided concern for others.

Any advice on whether I should let them know (once I get past the 25 week theshold) that I'm not going to come back, so they can just pay me SMP and get someone to replace me? Or should I swallow my integrity, shut up and take whatever I'm offered? Or something halfway between? Thoughts please, good ladies of Mumsnetland!!

Erk, sorry about rubbish typing. Will double check next time!

i left in april on maternity and left it that i was going back even though i knew i wasnt. i only get normal maternity anyway but decided that i would tell them once the baby was born and settled just incase i changed my mind and decided to go back.

they should get someone in to cover you as a year is a long time for someone to cover you for but thats their problem and concern, not yours.

do what is right for you and ask tehm what the maternity package is. theyre supposed to put it into writing for you. thats what mine did even though it was only normal maternity pay.

good luck

I think you should wait and see what they offer you then decide.

I am in two minds... as a business owner I feel strongly that morals should prevail here..

But as a mother myself I think you entitled to safe guard yourself in case you change your mind once baby comes along and need your job there.. You dont know whats around the corner, your DP may lose his job and you are forced to work.. You may just hate being at home..

Oh moral dilemma... ! Sorry thats no help is it?!

What I did in almost the exact same situation was waited to see how i felt after the baby was here and then told them. I wouldve felt bad putting pressure on my colleagues for longer than necessary. Also, I wasnt getting paid at that stage so I guess that makes it different, I think Id have done teh same thing though I think. Karma and all that!

I agree, meet them halfway. As foureleven says, you don't want to leave yourself high and dry should something in your circumstances change, but once you are well into your leave it might be a good idea to be honest with them and tell them you are not returning, especially as they are a nice company.

But it's not your problem if they are burdening your colleagues with extra work - they need to deal with the resource issue whether or not you plan to return, so don't feel guilty there.

So far, all very helpful and food for thought, thank you.

waitingforbedtime, when did you tell them (i.e. how far into maternity leave) that you weren't going to go back?

Why dont you be honest with them, say you are not sure if you plan to return but want to keep your options open so suggest that they just pay SMP and that way if you dont return they are not out of pocket.

You need to see what the T&C's are. You may have to pay back some of the money if you don't go back.